Psalms 81; Psalms 88; Psalms 92; Psalms 93

Psalms 81

1 Sing joyfully to God! He gives us strength. Give a loud shout to the God of Jacob!

2 Let the music begin. Play the tambourines. Play sweet music on harps and lyres.

3 Blow the ram's horn on the day of the New Moon Feast. Blow it again when the moon is full and the Feast of Booths begins.

4 This is an order given to Israel. It is a law of the God of Jacob.

5 He gave it as a covenant law for the people of Joseph when God went out to punish Egypt. There we heard a language we didn't understand.

6 God said, "I removed the load from your shoulders. I set your hands free from carrying heavy baskets.

7 You called out when you were in trouble, and I saved you. I answered you out of a thundercloud. I put you to the test at the waters of Meribah. "Selah"

8 "My people, listen and I will warn you. Israel, I wish you would listen to me!

9 Don't have anything to do with the gods of other nations. Don't bow down and worship strange gods.

10 I am the LORD your God. I brought you up out of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things.

11 "But my people wouldn't listen to me. Israel wouldn't obey me.

12 So I let them go their own stubborn way. I let them follow their own sinful plans.

13 "I wish my people would listen to me! I wish Israel would live as I want them to live!

14 Then I would quickly bring their enemies under control. I would use my power against their attackers.

15 Those who hate me would bow down to me in fear. They would be punished forever.

16 But you would be fed with the finest wheat. I would satisfy you with the sweetest honey."

Psalms 88

1 Lord, you are the God who saves me. Day and night I cry out to you.

2 Please hear my prayer. Pay attention to my cry for help.

3 I have so many troubles I'm about to die.

4 People think my life is over. I'm like someone who doesn't have any strength.

5 People treat me as if I were dead. I'm like those who have been killed and are now in the grave. You don't even remember them anymore. They are cut off from your care.

6 It seems as if you have put me deep down in the grave, that deep and dark place.

7 Your burning anger lies heavy on me. All the waves of your anger have crashed over me. "Selah"

8 You have taken my closest friends away from me. You have made me sickening to them. I feel trapped. I can't escape.

9 I'm crying so much I can't see very well. Lord, I call out to you every day. I lift up my hands to you in prayer.

10 Do you work miracles for those who are dead? Do dead people rise up and praise you? "Selah"

11 Do those who are dead speak about your love? Do those who are in the grave tell how faithful you are?

12 Are your miracles known in that dark place? Are your holy acts known in that land where the dead are forgotten?

13 Lord, I cry out to you for help. In the morning I pray to you.

14 Lord, why do you say no to me? Why do you turn your face away from me?

15 I've been in pain ever since I was young. I've been close to death. You have made me suffer terrible things. I have lost all hope.

16 Your burning anger has swept over me. Your terrors have destroyed me.

17 All day long they surround me like a flood. They have closed in all around me.

18 You have taken my companions and loved ones away from me. The darkness is my closest friend.

Psalms 92

1 Lord, it is good to praise you. Most High God, it is good to make music to honor you.

2 It is good to sing every morning about your love. It is good to sing every night about how faithful you are.

3 I sing about it to the music of the lyre that has ten strings. I sing about it to the music of the harp.

4 Lord, you make me glad by what you have done. I sing with joy about the works of your hands.

5 Lord, how great are the things you do! How wise your thoughts are!

6 Here is something a man who isn't wise doesn't know. Here is what a foolish person doesn't understand.

7 Those who are evil spring up like grass. Those who do wrong succeed. But they will be destroyed forever.

8 But Lord, you are honored forever.

9 Lord, your enemies will certainly die. All those who do evil will be scattered.

10 You have made me as strong as a wild ox. You have poured the finest olive oil on me.

11 I've seen my evil enemies destroyed. I've heard that they have lost the battle.

12 Those who do what is right will grow like a palm tree. They will grow strong like a cedar tree in Lebanon.

13 Their roots will be firm in the house of the Lord. They will grow strong and healthy in the courtyards of our God.

14 When they get old, they will still bear fruit. Like young trees they will stay fresh and strong.

15 They will say to everyone, "The LORD is honest. He is my Rock. There is no evil in him."

Psalms 93

1 The LORD rules. He puts on majesty as if it were clothes. The LORD puts on majesty and strength. The world is firmly set in place. It can't be moved.

2 Lord, you began to rule a long time ago. You have always existed.

3 Lord, the seas have lifted up their voice. They have lifted up their pounding waves.

4 But Lord, you are more powerful than the roar of the ocean. You are stronger than the waves of the sea. Lord, you are powerful in heaven.

5 Your laws do not change. Lord, your temple will be holy for all time to come.