Psalms 63; Psalms 64; Psalms 65

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Psalms 63

1 God - you're my God! I can't get enough of you! I've worked up such hunger and thirst for God, traveling across dry and weary deserts.
2 So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in your strength and glory.
3 In your generous love I am really living at last! My lips brim praises like fountains.
4 I bless you every time I take a breath; My arms wave like banners of praise to you.
5 I eat my fill of prime rib and gravy; I smack my lips. It's time to shout praises!
6 If I'm sleepless at midnight, I spend the hours in grateful reflection.
7 Because you've always stood up for me, I'm free to run and play.
8 I hold on to you for dear life, and you hold me steady as a post.
9 Those who are out to get me are marked for doom, marked for death, bound for hell.
10 They'll die violent deaths; jackals will tear them limb from limb.
11 But the king is glad in God; his true friends spread the joy, While small-minded gossips are gagged for good.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.

Psalms 64

1 Listen and help, O God. I'm reduced to a whine And a whimper, obsessed with feelings of doomsday.
2 Don't let them find me - the conspirators out to get me,
3 Using their tongues as weapons, flinging poison words, poison-tipped arrow-words.
4 They shoot from ambush, shoot without warning, not caring who they hit.
5 They keep fit doing calisthenics of evil purpose, They keep lists of the traps they've secretly set. They say to each other, "No one can catch us,
6 no one can detect our perfect crime." The Detective detects the mystery in the dark of the cellar heart.
7 The God of the Arrow shoots! They double up in pain,
8 Fall flat on their faces in full view of the grinning crowd.
9 Everyone sees it. God's work is the talk of the town.
10 Be glad, good people! Fly to God! Good-hearted people, make praise your habit.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.

Psalms 65

1 Silence is praise to you, Zion-dwelling God, And also obedience.
2 You hear the prayer in it all. We all arrive at your doorstep sooner or later, loaded with guilt,
3 Our sins too much for us - but you get rid of them once and for all.
4 Blessed are the chosen! Blessed the guest at home in your place! We expect our fill of good things in your house, your heavenly manse.
5 All your salvation wonders are on display in your trophy room. Earth-Tamer, Ocean-Pourer,
6 Mountain-Maker, Hill-Dresser,
7 Muzzler of sea storm and wave crash, of mobs in noisy riot -
8 Far and wide they'll come to a stop, they'll stare in awe, in wonder. Dawn and dusk take turns calling, "Come and worship."
9 Oh, visit the earth, ask her to join the dance! Deck her out in spring showers, fill the God-River with living water. Paint the wheat fields golden. Creation was made for this!
10 Drench the plowed fields, soak the dirt clods With rainfall as harrow and rake bring her to blossom and fruit.
11 Snow-crown the peaks with splendor, scatter rose petals down your paths,
12 All through the wild meadows, rose petals. Set the hills to dancing,
13 Dress the canyon walls with live sheep, a drape of flax across the valleys. Let them shout, and shout, and shout! Oh, oh, let them sing!
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.