The Message Bible MSG
New Living Translation NLT
1 I bless God every chance I get; my lungs expand with his praise.
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I will praise the LORD at all times. I will constantly speak his praises.
2 I live and breathe God; if things aren't going well, hear this and be happy:
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I will boast only in the LORD ; let all who are helpless take heart.
3 Join me in spreading the news; together let's get the word out.
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Come, let us tell of the LORD ’s greatness; let us exalt his name together.
4 God met me more than halfway, he freed me from my anxious fears.
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I prayed to the LORD, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.
5 Look at him; give him your warmest smile. Never hide your feelings from him.
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Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces.
6 When I was desperate, I called out, and God got me out of a tight spot.
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In my desperation I prayed, and the LORD listened; he saved me from all my troubles.
7 God's angel sets up a circle of protection around us while we pray.
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For the angel of the LORD is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.
8 Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see - how good God is. Blessed are you who run to him.
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Taste and see that the LORD is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in him!
9 Worship God if you want the best; worship opens doors to all his goodness.
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Fear the LORD, you his godly people, for those who fear him will have all they need.
10 Young lions on the prowl get hungry, but God-seekers are full of God.
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Even strong young lions sometimes go hungry, but those who trust in the LORD will lack no good thing.
11 Come, children, listen closely; I'll give you a lesson in God worship.
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Come, my children, and listen to me, and I will teach you to fear the LORD .
12 Who out there has a lust for life? Can't wait each day to come upon beauty?
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Does anyone want to live a life that is long and prosperous?
13 Guard your tongue from profanity, and no more lying through your teeth.
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Then keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies!
14 Turn your back on sin; do something good. Embrace peace - don't let it get away!
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Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.
15 God keeps an eye on his friends, his ears pick up every moan and groan.
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The eyes of the LORD watch over those who do right; his ears are open to their cries for help.
16 God won't put up with rebels; he'll cull them from the pack.
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But the LORD turns his face against those who do evil; he will erase their memory from the earth.
17 Is anyone crying for help? God is listening, ready to rescue you.
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The LORD hears his people when they call to him for help. He rescues them from all their troubles.
18 If your heart is broken, you'll find God right there; if you're kicked in the gut, he'll help you catch your breath.
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The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those whose spirits are crushed.
19 Disciples so often get into trouble; still, God is there every time.
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The righteous person faces many troubles, but the LORD comes to the rescue each time.
20 He's your bodyguard, shielding every bone; not even a finger gets broken.
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For the LORD protects the bones of the righteous; not one of them is broken!
21 The wicked commit slow suicide; they waste their lives hating the good.
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Calamity will surely destroy the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be punished.
22 God pays for each slave's freedom; no one who runs to him loses out.
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But the LORD will redeem those who serve him. No one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.
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.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.