Psalm 41
Happy is the person who tinks about the poor. When trouble comes, the Lord will save him. The Lord will protect him and spare his life. The Lord will bless him in the land. The Lord will not let his enemies take him. The Lord will hive him strength when he is sick. The Lord will make him well again. I said, "Lord, be kind to me. Heal me because I have sinned against you." My enemies are saying bad things about me. They say, "When will he die and be forgotten?" Some people come to see me. But they lie. They just come to get bad news. Then they go and gossip. All my enemies whisper about me. They think the worst about me. The say, "He has a terrivle disease. He will never get out of bed again." My best and truest friend ate at my table. Now even he has turned against me. Lord, have mercy on me. Give me strength so I can pay them back. My enemies do not defeat me. That's how I know you are pleased with me. Because I am innocent, you support me. You will let me be with you forever. Praise the Lord, the God of Israel. He has always been, and he will always be. Amen and amen.
Psalm 42
A deer thirsts for a stream of water. In the same way, I thirst for you, God. I thirst for the living God. When can I go to meet with him? Day and night, my tears have been my food. People are always saying, "Where is your God?" When I remember these things. I speak with a broken heart. I used to walk with the crowd. I led the happy crowd to God's Temple, with songs of praise. Why am I so sad? Why am I so upset? I should put my hope in God. I should keep praiseing him, My Savior and my God. I am very sad. So I remember you while I am in the land where the Jordan River begins. I will remember you while I am near the Hermon mountains and on the mountain of Mizar. Troubles have come again and again. They sound like waterfalls. Your waves are crashing all around me. The Lord shows his true love every day. At night I have a song, and I pray to my living God. I say to God, my Rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why am I sad and troubled by my enemies?" My enemies insults make me feel as if my bones were broken. They are always saying, "Where is your God?" Why am I so sad? Why am I so upset? I should put my hope in God. I should keep praising him, my Savior and my God.
Psalm 43
God, defend me. Argue my case against those who don't follow you. Save me from liars and those who do evil. God, you are my strength. Why have you rejected me? Why am I sad and troubled by me enemies? Send me your light and truth. They will guide me. Lead me to your holy mountain. Lead me to where you live. I will go to the altar of God, to God who is my joy and happiness. I will praise you with a harp, God, my God. Why am I so sad? Why am I so upset? I should put my hope in God. I should keep praising him, my Savior and my God.
Psalm 44
God, we have heard about you. Our ancestors told us what you did in their days, in days long ago. With your power you forced the nations out of the land. You placed our ancestors here. You destroyed those other nations. But you made our ancestors grow strong. It wasn't their swords that took the land. It wasn't their power that gave them victory. But it was your great power and strength. You were with them because you loved them. My God, you are my King. Your commands led Jacob's people to victory. With your help we pushed back our enemies. In your name we walked on those who came against us. I don't trust my bow to help me. My sword can't save me. You saved us from Egypt. You made our enemies ashamed. We will praise God every day. We will praise your name forever. But you have rejected us and shamed us. You don't march with our armies anymore. You let our enemies push us back. Our enemies have taken our wealth. You gave us away like sheep to be eaten. You scattered us among the nations. You sold your people for nothing. You made no profit on the sale. You made us a joke to our neighbors. The community laughs and makes fun of us. You made us a joke to the other nations. People shake their heads. I am always in disgrace. I am covered with shame. My enemies is getting even with insults and curses. All these things have happened to us, but we have not forgotten you. We have kept our agreement with you. Our hearts haven't turned away from you. We haven't stopped following you. But you crushed us in this place where wild dogs live. You covered us with deep darkness. We did not forget our God. We did not lift our hands in prayer to foreign gods. God would have known if we had. He knows what is in our hearts. But for you we are in danger of death all the time. People think we are worth no more than sheep to be killed. Wake up, Lord! Why are you sleeping? Get up! Don't reject us forever. Why are you hidden from us? Have you forgotten our pain and troubles? We have been pushed down into the dirt. We are flat on the ground. Get up and help us. Because of your love, save us.
Psalm 45
Beautiful words fill my mind. I am speaking of royal things. My tongue is like the pen of a skilled writer. You are more handsome than anyone. You are a very good speaker. God has blessed you forever. Put on your sword, powerful warrior. Show your glory and majesty. In your majesty whin the victory. Defend what is true and right. Your power will do amazing things. Your sharp arrows will enter the hearts of the king's enemies. Nations will be defeated before you. God, your throne will last forever and ever. You will rule your kingdom with fairness. You love right nad hate evil. So God has chosen you to rule those with you. Your God has given you much joy. Your clothes smell like myrrh, aloes and cassia. From palaces of ivory music comes to make you happy. Kings' daughters are among your honored women. Your bride stands at your right side wearing gold from Ophir. Listen to me, daughter. Look and pay attention. Forget your people and father's family. The king loves your beauty. Because he is your master, you should obey him. People from the city of Tyre have brought a gift. Wealthy people will want to meet you. The princess is very beautiful. Her gown is woven with gold. In her beautiful clothes she is brought to the king. Her bridesmaids follow behind her. And they are also brought to him. They come with happiness and joy. They enter the king's palace. You will have sons to take the place of your ancestors. You will make them rulers through all the land. I will make your name famous from now on. People will praise you forever and ever.
