Psalms 46; Psalms 47; Psalms 48; Psalms 49; Psalms 50

1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble.

2 That is why we are not afraid even when the earth quakes or the mountains topple into the depths of the sea.

3 Water roars and foams, and mountains shake at the surging waves. Selah

4 There is a river whose streams bring joy to the city of God, the holy place where the Most High lives.

5 God is in that city. It cannot fall. God will help it at the break of dawn.

6 Nations are in turmoil, and kingdoms topple. The earth melts at the sound of [God's] voice.

7 The LORD of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah

8 Come, see the works of the LORD, the devastation he has brought to the earth.

9 He puts an end to wars all over the earth. He breaks an archer's bow. He cuts spears in two. He burns chariots.

10 Let go [of your concerns]! Then you will know that I am God. I rule the nations. I rule the earth.

11 The LORD of Armies is with us. The God of Jacob is our stronghold. Selah

1 Clap your hands, all you people. Shout to God with a loud, joyful song.

2 We must fear the LORD, the Most High. He is the great king of the whole earth.

3 He brings people under our authority and [puts] nations under our feet.

4 He chooses our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob, whom he loved. Selah

5 God has gone up with a joyful shout. The LORD has gone up with the sound of a ram's horn.

6 Make music to praise God. Play music for him! Make music to praise our king. Play music for him!

7 God is the king of the whole earth. Make your best music for him!

8 God rules the nations. He sits upon his holy throne.

9 The influential people from the nations gather together as the people of the God of Abraham. The rulers of the earth belong to God. He rules everything.

1 The LORD is great. He should be highly praised. His holy mountain is in the city of our God.

2 Its beautiful peak is the joy of the whole earth. Mount Zion is on the northern ridge. It is the city of the great king.

3 God is in its palaces. He has proved that he is a stronghold.

4 The kings have gathered. They marched together.

5 [When] they saw [Mount Zion], they were astonished. They were terrified and ran away in fear.

6 Trembling seized them like the trembling that a woman experiences during labor.

7 With the east wind you smash the ships of Tarshish.

8 The things we had only heard about, we have now seen in the city of the LORD of Armies, in the city of our God. God makes Zion stand firm forever. Selah

9 Inside your temple we carefully reflect on your mercy, O God.

10 Like your name, O God, your praise [reaches] to the ends of the earth. Your right hand is filled with righteousness.

11 Let Mount Zion be glad and the cities of Judah rejoice because of your judgments.

12 Walk around Zion. Go around it. Count its towers.

13 Examine its embankments. Walk through its palaces. Then you can tell the next generation,

14 "This God is our God forever and ever. He will lead us beyond death."

1 Listen to this, all you people. Open your ears, all who live in the world--

2 common people and important ones, rich people and poor ones.

3 My mouth will speak wise sayings, the insights I have carefully considered.

4 I will turn my attention to a proverb. I will explain my riddle with the [music of] a lyre.

5 Why should I be afraid in times of trouble, when slanderers surround me with evil?

6 They trust their riches and brag about their abundant wealth.

7 No one can ever buy back another person or pay God a ransom for his life.

8 The price to be paid for his soul is too costly. He must always give up

9 in order to live forever and never see the pit.

10 Indeed, one can see that wise people die, that foolish and stupid people meet the same end. They leave their riches to others.

11 Although they named their lands after themselves, their graves have become their homes for ages to come, their dwelling places throughout every generation.

12 But mortals will not continue here with what they treasure. They are like animals that die.

13 This is the final outcome for fools and their followers who are delighted by what they say: Selah

14 Like sheep, they are driven to hell with death as their shepherd. (Decent people will rule them in the morning.) Their forms will decay in the grave, far away from their comfortable homes.

15 But God will buy me back from the power of hell because he will take me. Selah

16 Do not be afraid when someone becomes rich, when the greatness of his house increases.

17 He will not take anything with him when he dies. His greatness cannot follow him.

18 Even though he blesses himself while he is alive (and they praise you when you do well for yourself),

19 he must join the generation of his ancestors, who will never see light [again].

20 Mortals, with what they treasure, still don't have understanding. They are like animals that die.

1 The LORD, the only true God, has spoken. He has summoned the earth from where the sun rises to where it sets.

2 God shines from Zion, the perfection of beauty.

3 Our God will come and will not remain silent. A devouring fire is in front of him and a raging storm around him.

4 He summons heaven and earth to judge his people:

5 "Gather around me, my godly people who have made a pledge to me through sacrifices."

6 The heavens announce his righteousness because God is the judge. Selah

7 "Listen, my people, and I will speak. Listen, Israel, and I will testify against you: I am God, your God!

8 I am not criticizing you for your sacrifices or burnt offerings, which are always in front of me.

9 [But] I will not accept [another] young bull from your household or a single male goat from your pens.

10 Every creature in the forest, [even] the cattle on a thousand hills, is mine.

11 I know every bird in the mountains. Everything that moves in the fields is mine.

12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you, because the world and all that it contains are mine.

13 Do I eat the meat of bulls or drink the blood of goats?

14 Bring [your] thanks to God as a sacrifice, and keep your vows to the Most High.

15 Call on me in times of trouble. I will rescue you, and you will honor me."

16 But God says to wicked people, "How dare you quote my decrees and mouth my promises!

17 You hate discipline. You toss my words behind you.

18 When you see a thief, you want to make friends with him. You keep company with people who commit adultery.

19 You let your mouth say anything evil. Your tongue plans deceit.

20 You sit and talk against your own brother. You slander your own mother's son.

21 When you did these things, I remained silent. [That] made you think I was like you. I will argue my point with you and lay it all out for you to see.

22 Consider this, you people who forget God. Otherwise, I will tear you to pieces, and there will be no one left to rescue you.

23 Whoever offers thanks as a sacrifice honors me. I will let everyone who continues in my way see the salvation that comes from God."