Psalms 81; Psalms 88; Psalms 92; Psalms 93

1 Sing joyfully to God, our strength. Shout happily to the God of Jacob.

2 Begin a psalm, and strike a tambourine. Play lyres and harps with their pleasant music.

3 Blow the ram's horn on the day of the new moon, on the day of the full moon, on our festival days.

4 This is a law for Israel, a legal decision from the God of Jacob.

5 These are the instructions God set in place for Joseph when Joseph rose to power over Egypt. I heard a message I did not understand:

6 "I removed the burden from his shoulder. His hands were freed from the basket.

7 When you were in trouble, you called out [to me], and I rescued you. I was hidden in thunder, but I answered you. I tested your [loyalty] at the oasis of Meribah. Selah

8 Listen, my people, and I will warn you. Israel, if you would only listen to me!

9 Never keep any strange god among you. Never worship a foreign god.

10 I am the LORD your God, the one who brought you out of Egypt. Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it.

11 "But my people did not listen to me. Israel wanted nothing to do with me.

12 So I let them go their own stubborn ways and follow their own advice.

13 If only my people would listen to me! If only Israel would follow me!

14 I would quickly defeat their enemies. I would turn my power against their foes.

15 Those who hate the LORD would cringe in front of him, and their time [for punishment] would last forever.

16 But I would feed Israel with the finest wheat and satisfy them with honey from a rock."

1 O LORD God, my savior, I cry out to you during the day and at night.

2 Let my prayer come into your presence. Turn your ear to hear my cries.

3 My soul is filled with troubles, and my life comes closer to the grave.

4 I am numbered with those who go into the pit. I am like a man without any strength--

5 abandoned with the dead, like those who have been killed and lie in graves, like those whom you no longer remember, who are cut off from your power.

6 You have put me in the bottom of the pit--in deep, dark places.

7 Your rage lies heavily on me. You make all your waves pound on me. Selah

8 You have taken my friends far away from me. You made me disgusting to them. I'm shut in, and I can't get out.

9 My eyes grow weak because of my suffering. All day long I call out to you, O LORD. I stretch out my hands to you [in prayer].

10 Will you perform miracles for those who are dead? Will the spirits of the dead rise and give thanks to you? Selah

11 Will anyone tell about your mercy in Sheol or about your faithfulness in Abaddon?

12 Will anyone know about your miracles in that dark place or about your righteousness in the place where forgotten people live?

13 I cry out to you for help, O LORD, and in the morning my prayer will come into your presence.

14 Why do you reject my soul, O LORD? Why do you hide your face from me?

15 Ever since I was young, I have been suffering and near death. I have endured your terrors, and now I am in despair.

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

17 They swirl around me all day long like water. They surround me on all sides.

18 You have taken my loved ones and friends far away from me. Darkness is my only friend!

1 It is good to give thanks to the LORD, to make music to praise your name, O Most High.

2 It is good to announce your mercy in the morning and your faithfulness in the evening

3 on a ten-stringed instrument and a harp and with a melody on a lyre.

4 You made me find joy in what you have done, O LORD. I will sing joyfully about the works of your hands.

5 How spectacular are your works, O LORD! How very deep are your thoughts!

6 A stupid person cannot know and a fool cannot understand

7 that wicked people sprout like grass and all troublemakers blossom [like flowers], only to be destroyed forever.

8 But you, O LORD, are highly honored forever.

9 Now look at your enemies, O LORD. Now look at your enemies. They disappear, and all troublemakers are scattered.

10 But you make me as strong as a wild bull, and soothing lotion is poured on me.

11 My eyes gloat over those who spy on me. My ears hear [the cries] of evildoers attacking me.

12 Righteous people flourish like palm trees and grow tall like the cedars in Lebanon.

13 They are planted in the LORD's house. They blossom in our God's courtyards.

14 Even when they are old, they still bear fruit. They are always healthy and fresh.

15 They make it known that the LORD is decent. He is my rock. He is never unfair.

1 The LORD rules as king! He is clothed with majesty. The LORD has clothed himself; he has armed himself with power. The world was set in place; it cannot be moved.

2 Your throne was set in place a long time ago. You are eternal.

3 The ocean rises, O LORD. The ocean rises with a roar. The ocean rises with its pounding waves.

4 The LORD above is mighty-- mightier than the sound of raging water, mightier than the foaming waves of the sea.

5 Your written testimonies are completely reliable. O LORD, holiness is what makes your house beautiful for days without end.