Perplexity About God's Promises

1 A (a)Maskil of (b)Ethan (c)the Ezrahite.I will (A)sing of the lovingkindness of the Lord forever;To all generations I will (B)make known Your (C)faithfulness with my mouth.

1 {Maschil of Ethan the Ezrahite.} I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations.

1 A Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite.(A)I will sing about the Lord’s faithful love forever;(B)I will proclaim Your faithfulness to all generationswith my mouth.(C)

1 I will sing forever about the gracious love of the LORD; from generation to generation I will declare your faithfulness with my mouth.

1 I will sing of the goodness and lovingkindness of the Lord forever;With my mouth I will make known Your faithfulness from generation to generation.

2 For I have said, “(D)Lovingkindness will be built up forever;In the heavens You will establish Your (E)faithfulness.”

2 For I have said, Mercy shall be built up for ever: thy faithfulness shalt thou establish in the very heavens.

2 For I will declare,“Faithful love is built up forever;You establish Your faithfulness in the heavens.”(D)

2 I will declare that your gracious love was established forever; in the heavens itself, you have established your faithfulness.

2 For I have said, “Goodness and lovingkindness will be built up forever;In the heavens [unchangeable and majestic] You will establish Your faithfulness.”

3 “I have made a covenant with (F)My chosen;I have (G)sworn to David My servant,

3 I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant,

3 The Lord said,“I have made a covenant with My chosen one;I have sworn an oath to David My servant:

3 I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have made a promise to David, my servant.

3 [God has said] “I have made a covenant with My chosen one;I have sworn to David My servant,

4 I will establish your (H)seed foreverAnd build up your (I)throne to all generations.” (d)Selah.

4 Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah.

4 ‘I will establish your offspring foreverand build up your throne for all generations.’”(E)Selah

4 "I will establish your dynasty forever, and I will lift up one who will build your throne from generation to generation." Interlude

4 I will establish your seed foreverAnd I will build up your throne for all generations.”(A) Selah.

5 The (J)heavens will praise Your wonders, O Lord;Your faithfulness also (K)in the assembly of the (L)holy ones.

5 And the heavens shall praise thy wonders, O LORD: thy faithfulness also in the congregation of the saints.

5 Lord, the heavens praise Your wonders(F)Your faithfulness also—in the assembly of the holy ones.(G)

5 Even the heavens praise your awesome deeds, LORD, your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones.

5 The heavens (angels) praise Your wonders, O Lord,Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones.

6 For (M)who in the skies is comparable to the Lord?Who among the (e)(N)sons of the mighty is like the Lord,

6 For who in the heaven can be compared unto the LORD? who among the sons of the mighty can be likened unto the LORD?

6 For who in the skies can compare with the Lord?Who among the heavenly beings(a) is like the Lord?(H)

6 For who in the skies compares to the LORD? Who is like the LORD among the divine beings?

6 For who in the heavens can be compared to the Lord?Who among the divine beings is like the Lord,

7 A God (O)greatly feared in the council of the (P)holy ones,And (Q)awesome above all those who are around Him?

7 God is greatly to be feared in the assembly of the saints, and to be had in reverence of all them that are about him.

7 God is greatly feared in the council of the holy ones,more awe-inspiring than(b) all who surround Him.(I)

7 God is feared in the council of the holy ones, revered by all those around him.

7 A God greatly feared and reverently worshiped in the council of the holy [angelic] ones,And awesome above all those who are around Him?

8 O Lord God of hosts, (R)who is like You, O mighty (f)Lord?Your faithfulness also surrounds You.

8 O LORD God of hosts, who is a strong LORD like unto thee? or to thy faithfulness round about thee?

8 Lord God of Hosts,who is strong like You, Lord?(J)Your faithfulness surrounds You.

8 LORD God of the Heavenly Armies, who is as mighty as you, LORD? Your faithfulness surrounds you.

8 O Lord God of hosts, who is like You, O mighty Lord?Your faithfulness surrounds You [as an intrinsic, unchangeable part of Your very being].

9 You rule the swelling of the sea;When its waves rise, You (S)still them.

9 Thou rulest the raging of the sea: when the waves thereof arise, thou stillest them.

9 You rule the raging sea;when its waves surge, You still them.(K)

9 You rule over the majestic sea; when its waves surge, you calm them.

9 You rule the swelling of the sea;When its waves rise, You still them.(B)

10 You Yourself crushed (g)(T)Rahab like one who is slain;You (U)scattered Your enemies with (h)Your mighty arm.

10 Thou hast broken Rahab in pieces, as one that is slain; thou hast scattered thine enemies with thy strong arm.

10 You crushed Rahab like one who is slain;(L)You scattered Your enemies with Your powerful arm.(M)

10 You crushed the proud one to death; with your powerful arm you scattered your enemies.

10 You have crushed Rahab (Egypt) like one who is slain;You have scattered Your enemies with Your mighty arm.

11 The (V)heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours;The (W)world and (i)all it contains, You have founded them.

11 The heavens are thine, the earth also is thine: as for the world and the fulness thereof, thou hast founded them.

11 The heavens are Yours; the earth also is Yours.The world and everything in it—You founded them.(N)

11 Heaven and the earth belong to you, the world and everything it contains you established them.

11 The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours;The world and all that is in it, You have founded and established them.(C)

12 The (X)north and the south, You have created them;(Y)Tabor and (Z)Hermon (AA)shout for joy at Your name.

12 The north and the south thou hast created them: Tabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name.

12 North and south—You created them.(O)Tabor and Hermon shout for joy at Your name.(P)

12 The north and south you created them; Tabor and Hermon joyously praise your name.

12 The north and the south, You have created them;Mount Tabor and Mount Hermon shout for joy at Your name.

13 You have (j)a strong arm;Your hand is mighty, Your (AB)right hand is exalted.

13 Thou hast a mighty arm: strong is thy hand, and high is thy right hand.

13 You have a mighty arm;Your hand is powerful;Your right hand is lifted high.(Q)

13 Your arm is strong; your hand is mighty; indeed, your right hand is victorious.

13 You have a strong arm;Mighty is Your hand, Your right hand is exalted.

14 (AC)Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;(AD)Lovingkindness and (k)truth go before You.

14 Justice and judgment are the habitation of thy throne: mercy and truth shall go before thy face.

14 Righteousness and justice are the foundationof Your throne;(R)faithful love and truth go before You.(S)

14 Righteousness and justice make up the foundation of your throne; gracious love and truth meet before you.

14 Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;Lovingkindness and truth go before You.

15 How blessed are the people who know the (l)(AE)joyful sound!O Lord, they walk in the (AF)light of Your countenance.

15 Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.

15 Happy are the people who know the joyful shout;(T)Yahweh, they walk in the light of Your presence.(U)

15 How happy are the people who can worship joyfully! LORD, they walk in the light of your presence.

15 Blessed and happy are the people who know the joyful sound [of the trumpet’s blast]!They walk, O Lord, in the light and favor of Your countenance!

16 In (AG)Your name they rejoice all the day,And by Your righteousness they are exalted.

16 In thy name shall they rejoice all the day: and in thy righteousness shall they be exalted.

16 They rejoice in Your name all day long,and they are exalted by Your righteousness.(V)

16 In your name they rejoice all day long; they exult in your justice.

16 In Your name they rejoice all the day,And in Your righteousness they are exalted.

17 For You are the glory of (AH)their strength,And by Your favor (m)our (AI)horn is exalted.

17 For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted.

17 For You are their magnificent strength;(W)by Your favor our horn is exalted.(X)

17 For you are their strength's grandeur; by your favor you exalted our power.

17 For You are the glory of their strength [their proud adornment],And by Your favor our horn is exalted.

18 For our (AJ)shield belongs to the Lord,(n)And our king to the (AK)Holy One of Israel.

18 For the LORD is our defence; and the Holy One of Israel is our king.

18 Surely our shield(c) belongs to the Lord,our king to the Holy One of Israel.(Y)

18 Indeed, our shield belongs to the LORD, and our king to the Holy One of Israel.

18 For our shield belongs to the Lord,And our king to the Holy One of Israel.

19 (o)Once You spoke in vision to Your godly (p)ones,And said, “I have (q)given help to one who is (AL)mighty;I have exalted one (AM)chosen from the people.

19 Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one, and saidst, I have laid help upon one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people.

19 You once spoke in a vision to Your loyal onesand said: “I have granted help to a warrior;I have exalted one chosen(d) from the people.(Z)

19 You spoke to your faithful ones through a vision: "I will set a helper over a warrior. I will raise up a chosen one from the people.

19 Once You spoke in a vision to Your godly ones,And said, “I have given help to one who is mighty [giving him the power to be a champion for Israel];I have exalted one chosen from the people.

20 “I have (AN)found David My servant;With My holy (AO)oil I have anointed him,

20 I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him:

20 I have found David My servant;I have anointed him with My sacred oil.(AA)

20 I have found my servant David; I have anointed him with my sacred oil,

20 “I have found David My servant;With My holy oil I have anointed him,(D)

21 With whom (AP)My hand will be established;My arm also will (AQ)strengthen him.

21 With whom my hand shall be established: mine arm also shall strengthen him.

21 My hand will always be with him,and My arm will strengthen him.(AB)

21 with whom my power will be firmly established; for my arm will strengthen him.

21 With whom My hand shall be established and steadfast;My arm also shall strengthen him.

22 “The enemy will not (r)deceive him,Nor the (s)(AR)son of wickedness afflict him.

22 The enemy shall not exact upon him; nor the son of wickedness afflict him.

22 The enemy will not afflict(e) him;no wicked man will oppress him.(AC)

22 No enemy will deceive him; no wicked person will afflict him.

22 “The enemy will not outwit him,Nor will the wicked man afflict or humiliate him.

23 “But I shall (AS)crush his adversaries before him,And strike those who hate him.

23 And I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him.

23 I will crush his foes before himand strike those who hate him.(AD)

23 I will crush his enemies before him and strike those who hate him.

23 “I will crush his adversaries before him,And strike those who hate him.

24 “My (AT)faithfulness and My lovingkindness will be with him,And in My name his (AU)horn will be exalted.

24 But my faithfulness and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted.

24 My faithfulness and love will be with him,and through My namehis horn will be exalted.(AE)

24 My faithfulness and gracious love will be with him, and in my name his power will be exalted.

24 “My faithfulness and My steadfast lovingkindness shall be with him,And in My name shall his horn be exalted [great power and prosperity shall be conferred upon him].

25 “I shall also set his hand (AV)on the seaAnd his right hand on the rivers.

25 I will set his hand also in the sea, and his right hand in the rivers.

25 I will extend his power to the seaand his right hand to the rivers.(AF)

25 I will place his hand over the sea, and his right hand over the rivers.

25 “I will also (a)set his hand on the [Mediterranean] sea,And his right hand on the rivers [the tributaries of the Euphrates].

26 “He will cry to Me, ‘You are (AW)my Father,My God, and the (AX)rock of my salvation.’

26 He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.

26 He will call to Me, ‘You are my Father,(AG)my God, the rock of my salvation.’(AH)

26 He will announce to me "You are my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.'

26 “He will cry to Me, ‘You are my Father,My God, and the rock of my salvation.’

27 “I also shall make him My (AY)firstborn,The (AZ)highest of the kings of the earth.

27 Also I will make him my firstborn, higher than the kings of the earth.

27 I will also make him My firstborn,greatest of the kings of the earth.(AI)

27 "Indeed, I myself made him the firstborn, the highest of the kings of the earth.

27 “I will also make him My firstborn (preeminent),The highest of the kings of the earth.(E)

28 “My (BA)lovingkindness I will keep for him forever,And My (BB)covenant shall be confirmed to him.

28 My mercy will I keep for him for evermore, and my covenant shall stand fast with him.

28 I will always preserve My faithful love for him,and My covenant with him will endure.(AJ)

28 I will show my gracious love toward him forever, since my covenant is securely established with him.

28 “My lovingkindness I will keep for him forevermore,And My covenant will be confirmed to him.

29 “So I will establish his (t)(BC)descendants foreverAnd his (BD)throne (BE)as the days of heaven.

29 His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and his throne as the days of heaven.

29 I will establish his line forever,his throne as long as heaven lasts.(f)(AK)

29 I will establish his dynasty forever, and his throne as long as heaven endures.

29 “His descendants I will establish forever,And his throne [will endure] as the days of heaven.(F)

30 “If his sons (BF)forsake My lawAnd do not walk in My judgments,

30 If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;

30 If his sons forsake My instructionand do not live by My ordinances,(AL)

30 "But if his sons abandon my laws and do not follow my ordinances,

30 “If his children (b)turn away from My lawAnd do not walk in My ordinances,

31 If they (u)violate My statutesAnd do not keep My commandments,

31 If they break my statutes, and keep not my commandments;

31 if they dishonor My statutesand do not keep My commands,(AM)

31 if they profane my statutes; and do not keep my commands,

31 If they break My statutesAnd do not keep My commandments,

32 Then I will punish their transgression with the (BG)rodAnd their iniquity with stripes.

32 Then will I visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity with stripes.

32 then I will call their rebellionto account with the rod,their sin with blows.(AN)

32 then I will punish their disobedience with a rod and their iniquity with lashes.

32 Then I will punish their transgression with the rod [of discipline],And [correct] their wickedness with stripes.(G)

33 “But I will not break off (BH)My lovingkindness from him,Nor deal falsely in My faithfulness.

33 Nevertheless my lovingkindness will I not utterly take from him, nor suffer my faithfulness to fail.

33 But I will not withdrawMy faithful love from himor betray My faithfulness.(AO)

33 But I will not cut off my gracious love from him, and I will not stop being faithful.

33 “Nevertheless, I will not break off My lovingkindness from him,Nor allow My faithfulness to fail.

34 “My (BI)covenant I will not (v)violate,Nor will I (BJ)alter (w)the utterance of My lips.

34 My covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of my lips.

34 I will not violate My covenantor change what My lips have said.(AP)

34 I will not dishonor my covenant, because I will not change what I have spoken.

34 “My covenant I will not violate,Nor will I alter the utterance of My lips.

35 (x)Once I have (BK)sworn by My holiness;I will not lie to David.

35 Once have I sworn by my holiness that I will not lie unto David.

35 Once and for allI have sworn an oath by My holiness;I will not lie to David.(AQ)

35 I have sworn by my holiness once for all: I will not lie to David.

35 “Once [for all] I have sworn by My holiness, [My vow which cannot be violated];I will not lie to David.

36 “His (y)(BL)descendants shall endure foreverAnd his (BM)throne (BN)as the sun before Me.

36 His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne as the sun before me.

36 His offspring will continue forever,his throne like the sun before Me,(AR)

36 His dynasty will last forever and his throne will be like the sun before me.

36 “His (c)descendants shall endure foreverAnd his throne [will continue] as the sun before Me.(H)

37 “It shall be established forever (BO)like the moon,And the (BP)witness in the sky is faithful.” (z)Selah.

37 It shall be established for ever as the moon, and as a faithful witness in heaven. Selah.

37 like the moon, established forever,a faithful witness in the sky.”(AS)Selah

37 It will be established forever like the moon, a faithful witness in the sky." Interlude

37 “It shall be established forever like the moon,And the witness in the heavens is ever faithful.”(I) Selah.

38 But You have (BQ)cast off and (BR)rejected,You have been full of wrath (aa)against Your (BS)anointed.

38 But thou hast cast off and abhorred, thou hast been wroth with thine anointed.

38 But You have spurned and rejected him;You have become enraged with Your anointed.(AT)

38 But you have spurned, rejected, and became angry with your anointed one.

38 But [in apparent contradiction of all this] You [the faithful Lord] have cast off and rejected;You have been full of wrath against Your anointed.

39 You have (BT)spurned the covenant of Your servant;You have (BU)profaned (BV)his crown (ab)in the dust.

39 Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned his crown by casting it to the ground.

39 You have repudiated the covenant with Your servant;You have completely dishonored his crown.(g)(AU)

39 You have dishonored the covenant with your servant; you have defiled his crown on the ground.

39 You have spurned and repudiated the covenant with Your servant;You have profaned his crown [by casting it] in the dust.

40 You have (BW)broken down all his walls;You have (BX)brought his strongholds to ruin.

40 Thou hast broken down all his hedges; thou hast brought his strong holds to ruin.

40 You have broken down all his walls;You have reduced his fortified cities to ruins.(AV)

40 You have broken through all his walls; you have laid his fortresses in ruin.

40 You have broken down all his [city] walls;You have brought his strongholds to ruin.

41 (BY)All who pass along the way plunder him;He has become a (BZ)reproach to his neighbors.

41 All that pass by the way spoil him: he is a reproach to his neighbours.

41 All who pass by plunder him;(AW)he has become an object of ridiculeto his neighbors.(AX)

41 All who pass by on their way plunder him; he has become a reproach to his neighbors.

41 All who pass along the road rob him;He has become the scorn of his neighbors.

42 You have (CA)exalted the right hand of his adversaries;You have (CB)made all his enemies rejoice.

42 Thou hast set up the right hand of his adversaries; thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice.

42 You have lifted high the right hand of his foes;You have made all his enemies rejoice.(AY)

42 You have exalted the right hand of his adversaries; you have caused all of his enemies to rejoice.

42 You have exalted the right hand of his foes;You have made all his enemies rejoice.

43 You also turn back the edge of his swordAnd have (CC)not made him stand in battle.

43 Thou hast also turned the edge of his sword, and hast not made him to stand in the battle.

43 You have also turned back his sharp swordand have not let him stand in battle.(AZ)

43 Moreover, you have turned back the edge of his sword and did not support him in battle.

43 Also, You have turned back the edge of his swordAnd have not made him [strong enough] to stand in battle.

44 You have made his (ac)(CD)splendor to ceaseAnd cast his throne to the ground.

44 Thou hast made his glory to cease, and cast his throne down to the ground.

44 You have made his splendor(h) ceaseand have overturned his throne.(BA)

44 You have caused his splendor to cease and cast down his throne to the ground.

44 You have put an end to his splendorAnd have hurled his throne to the ground.

45 You have (CE)shortened the days of his youth;You have (CF)covered him with shame. Selah.

45 The days of his youth hast thou shortened: thou hast covered him with shame. Selah.

45 You have shortened the days of his youth;You have covered him with shame.(BB)Selah

45 You have caused the days of his youth to be cut short; you have covered him with shame Interlude

45 You have shortened the days of his youth;You have covered him with shame. Selah.

46 (CG)How long, O Lord?Will You hide Yourself forever?Will Your (CH)wrath burn like fire?

46 How long, LORD? wilt thou hide thyself for ever? shall thy wrath burn like fire?

46 How long, Lord? Will You hide Yourself forever?Will Your anger keep burning like fire?(BC)

46 How long, LORD, will you hide yourself? Forever? Will your anger continuously burn like fire?

46 How long, O Lord?Will You hide Yourself forever?Will Your wrath burn like fire?

47 (CI)Remember (ad)what my span of life is;For what (CJ)vanity (ae)You have created all the sons of men!

47 Remember how short my time is: wherefore hast thou made all men in vain?

47 Remember how short my life is.Have You created everyone for nothing?(BD)

47 Remember how short my lifetime is! How powerless have you created all human beings!

47 Remember how fleeting my lifetime is;For what vanity, [for what emptiness, for what futility, for what wisp of smoke] You have created all the sons of men!

48 What man can live and not (CK)see death?Can he (CL)deliver his soul from the (af)power of (ag)Sheol? Selah.

48 What man is he that liveth, and shall not see death? shall he deliver his soul from the hand of the grave? Selah.

48 What man can live and never see death?Who can save himself from the power of Sheol?(BE)Selah

48 What valiant man can live and not see death? Who can deliver himself from the power of Sheol. Interlude

48 What man can live and not see death?Can he rescue his soul from the [powerful] hand of Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead)? Selah.

49 Where are Your former lovingkindnesses, O Lord,Which You (CM)swore to David in Your faithfulness?

49 Lord, where are thy former lovingkindnesses, which thou swarest unto David in thy truth?

49 Lord, where are the former acts of Your faithful lovethat You swore to David in Your faithfulness?(BF)

49 Where is your gracious love of old, Lord, that in your faithfulness you promised to David?

49 O Lord, where are Your former lovingkindnesses [so abundant in the days of David and Solomon],Which You swore to David in Your faithfulness?

50 Remember, O Lord, the (CN)reproach of Your servants;(ah)How I bear in my bosom the reproach of all the many peoples,

50 Remember, Lord, the reproach of thy servants; how I do bear in my bosom the reproach of all the mighty people;

50 Remember, Lord, the ridicule against Your servants—in my heart I carry abuse from all the peoples—

50 Remember, Lord, the reproach of your servant! I carry inside me all the insults of many people,

50 Remember, O Lord, the reproach of Your servants [scorned, insulted, and disgraced];How I bear in (d)my heart the reproach of all the many peoples,

51 With which (CO)Your enemies have reproached, O Lord,With which they have reproached the footsteps of (CP)Your anointed.

51 Wherewith thine enemies have reproached, O LORD; wherewith they have reproached the footsteps of thine anointed.

51 how Your enemies have ridiculed, Lord,how they have ridiculed every step of Your anointed.(BG)

51 when your enemies reproached you, LORD, when they reproached the footsteps of your anointed.

51 With which Your enemies have taunted, O Lord,With which they have mocked the footsteps of Your anointed.

52 (CQ)Blessed be the Lord forever!Amen and Amen.

52 Blessed be the LORD for evermore. Amen, and Amen.

52 May the Lord be praised forever.Amen and amen.(BH)

52 Blessed is the LORD forever! Amen and amen! A prayer by Moses, the godly man

52 Blessed be the Lord forevermore!Amen and Amen.

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