Psalms 65; Psalms 66; Psalms 67; Psalms 69; Psalms 70

Psalms 65

1 God, we look forward to praising you in Zion. We will keep our promises to you.

2 All people will come to you, because you hear and answer prayer.

3 When our sins became too much for us, you forgave our lawless acts.

4 Blessed are those you choose and bring near to worship you. You bring us into the courtyards of your holy temple. There in your house we are filled with all kinds of good things.

5 God our Savior, you answer us by doing wonderful things. You save us by your power. People all over the world and beyond the farthest oceans put their hope in you.

6 You formed the mountains by your power. You showed how strong you are.

7 You calmed the oceans and their roaring waves. You calmed the angry words and actions of the nations.

8 Those who live far away are amazed at the miracles you have done. What you do makes people from one end of the earth to the other sing for joy.

9 You take care of the land and water it. You make it very rich. You fill your streams with water. You provide the people with grain. That's how you prepare the land.

10 You water its rows. You smooth out its bumps. You soften it with showers. And you bless its crops.

11 You bring the year to a close with huge crops. You provide more than enough food.

12 The grass grows thick even in the desert. The hills are dressed with gladness.

13 The meadows are covered with flocks and herds. The valleys are dressed with grain. They sing and shout with joy.

Psalms 66

1 Shout to God with joy, everyone on earth!

2 Sing about the glory of his name! Give him glorious praise!

3 Say to God, "What wonderful things you do! Your power is so great that your enemies bow down to you in fear.

4 Everyone on earth bows down to you. They sing praise to you. They sing praise to your name." "Selah"

5 Come and see what God has done. See what wonderful things he has done for his people!

6 He turned the Red Sea into dry land. The people of Israel passed through the waters on foot. Come, let us be full of joy because of what he did.

7 He rules by his power forever. His eyes watch the nations. Let no one who refuses to obey him rise up against him. "Selah"

8 Praise our God, you nations. Let the sound of the praise you give him be heard.

9 He has kept us alive. He has kept our feet from slipping.

10 God, you have put us to the test. You put us through fire to make us like silver.

11 You put us in prison. You placed heavy loads on our backs.

12 You let people run over our heads. We went through fire and water. But you brought us to a place where we have everything we need.

13 I will come to your temple with burnt offerings. I will keep my promises to you.

14 I made them with my lips. My mouth spoke them when I was in trouble.

15 I will sacrifice fat animals to you as burnt offerings. I will offer rams, bulls and goats to you. "Selah"

16 Come and listen, all of you who have respect for God. Let me tell you what he has done for me.

17 I cried out to him with my mouth. I praised him with my tongue.

18 If I had enjoyed having sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened.

19 But God has listened. He has heard my prayer.

20 Give praise to God. He has accepted my prayer. He has not held his love back from me.

Psalms 67

1 God, show us your favor. Bless us. May you smile on us with your favor. "Selah"

2 Then your ways will be known on earth. All nations will see that you have the power to save.

3 God, may the nations praise you. May all of the people on earth praise you.

4 May the nations be glad and sing with joy. You rule the people of the earth fairly. You guide the nations of the earth. "Selah"

5 God, may the nations praise you. May all of the people on earth praise you.

6 Then the land will produce its crops. God, our God, will bless us.

7 God will bless us. People from one end of the earth to the other will have respect for him.

Psalms 69

1 God, save me. My troubles are like a flood. I'm up to my neck in them.

2 I'm sinking in deep mud. I have no firm place to stand. I am out in deep water. The waves roll over me.

3 I'm worn out from calling for help. My throat is very dry. My eyes grow tired looking for my God.

4 Those who hate me without any reason are more than the hairs on my head. Many people who don't have any reason to be my enemies are trying to destroy me. They force me to give back what I didn't steal.

5 God, you know how foolish I've been. My guilt is not hidden from you.

6 Lord, you are the LORD who rules over all. May those who put their hope in you not be dishonored because of me. You are the God of Israel. May those who worship you not be put to shame because of me.

7 Because of you, people laugh at me. My face is covered with shame.

8 I'm a stranger to my brothers. I'm an outsider to my own mother's sons.

9 My great love for your house destroys me. Those who make fun of you make fun of me also.

10 When I sob and go without eating, they laugh at me.

11 When I put on black clothes to show how sad I am, people make jokes about me.

12 Those who gather in public places make fun of me. Those who get drunk make up songs about me.

13 But Lord, I pray to you. May this be the time you show me your favor. God, answer me because you love me so much. Save me, as you always do.

14 Save me from the trouble I'm in. It's like slippery mud. Don't let me sink in it. Save me from those who hate me. Save me from the deep water I'm in.

15 Don't let the floods cover me. Don't let the deep water swallow me up. Don't let the grave close its mouth over me.

16 Lord, answer me because your love is so good. Turn to me because you are so kind.

17 Don't turn your face away from me. Answer me quickly. I'm in trouble.

18 Come near and save me. Set me free from my enemies.

19 You know how they make fun of me. They dishonor me and put me to shame. You know all about my enemies.

20 They have broken my heart by saying evil things about me. It has left me helpless. I looked for pity, but I didn't find any. I looked for someone to comfort me, but I didn't find anyone.

21 They put bitter spices in my food. They gave me vinegar when I was thirsty.

22 Let their feast be a trap and a snare. Let my enemies get what's coming to them.

23 Let their eyes grow weak so they can't see. Let their backs be bent forever.

24 Pour out your anger on them. Let them feel its burning heat.

25 May their homes be deserted. May no one live in their tents.

26 They attack those you have wounded. They talk about the pain of those you have hurt.

27 Charge them with one crime after another. Don't save them.

28 May their names be erased from the Book of Life. Don't include them in the list of those who do right.

29 I'm in pain. I'm in deep trouble. God, save me and keep me safe.

30 I will praise God's name by singing to him. I will bring him glory by giving him thanks.

31 That will please the LORD more than offering him an ox. It will please him more than offering him a bull with its horns and hoofs.

32 Poor people will see it and be glad. The hearts of those who worship God will be strengthened.

33 The LORD hears those who are in need. He doesn't forget his people in prison.

34 Let heaven and earth praise him. Let the oceans and everything that moves in them praise him.

35 God will save Zion. He will build the cities of Judah again. Then people will live in them and own the land.

36 The children of those who serve God will receive it. Those who love him will live there.

Psalms 70

1 God, hurry and save me. Lord, come quickly and help me.

2 Let those who are trying to kill me be put to shame. Let them not be honored. Let all those who want to destroy me be turned back in shame.

3 Some people make fun of me. Let them be turned back when their plans fail.

4 But let all those who look to you be joyful and glad because of what you have done. Let those who love you because you save them always say, "May God be honored!"

5 But I am poor and needy. God, come quickly to me. You are the One who helps me and saves me. Lord, please don't wait any longer.