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  1. Wed: 1 Samuel 1-6
  2. Thu: 1 Corinthians 15-16
  3. Fri: Ezekiel 24-25
Saturday · Week 12
The Books of Poetry & Wisdom

Psalms 1-8

Week 12 · about 10 min
  1. Sun: Exodus 6-9
  2. Mon: Mark 1-3
  3. Tue: Isaiah 33-35

The Psalms begin. These first eight include David’s prayers while running from his son Absalom.

Two Paths and a Tree by the River

And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

Psalm 1:3 (KJV)

Psalm 1 opens with a choice. Notice the slow slide in the first verse, from walking with the wicked to standing with sinners to sitting with scorners. The other path belongs to the person who delights in God’s word and thinks about it day and night. That person is like a tree planted by water, and the wicked are like chaff blown away. Psalm 3 was written while David was running for his life, and he says, “I laid me down and slept.” Psalm 8 looks up at the stars and asks, “What is man, that thou art mindful of him?” The psalms are meant to be prayed as well as read.

Reflect: Which psalm this week could you pray word for word right now?

Psalm 1

1Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the wicked, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.

3And he shall be like a tree planted by the streams of water, that bringeth forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also doth not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

4The wicked are not so; but are like the chaff which the wind driveth away.

5Therefore the wicked shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

6For the LORD knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the wicked shall perish.

Psalm 2

1Why do the nations rage, and the peoples imagine a vain thing?

2The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,

3Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

4He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.

5Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure:

6Yet I have set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

7I will tell of the decree: the LORD said unto me, Thou art my son; this day have I begotten thee.

8Ask of me, and I will give thee the nations for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

9Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

10Now therefore be wise, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

11Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and ye perish in the way, for his wrath will soon be kindled. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Psalm 3

1A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. LORD, how are mine adversaries increased! many are they that rise up against me.

2Many there be which say of my soul, There is no help for him in God. Selah

3But thou, O LORD, art a shield about me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head.

4I cry unto the LORD with my voice, and he answereth me out of his holy hill. Selah

5I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the LORD sustaineth me.

6I will not be afraid of ten thousands of the people, that have set themselves against me round about.

7Arise, O LORD; save me, O my God: for thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the wicked.

8Salvation belongeth unto the LORD: thy blessing be upon thy people. Selah

Psalm 4

1For the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments. A Psalm of David. Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness; thou hast set me at large when I was in distress: have mercy upon me, and hear my prayer.

2O ye sons of men, how long shall my glory be turned into dishonour? how long will ye love vanity, and seek after falsehood? Selah

3But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.

4Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah

5Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.

6Many there be that say, Who will shew us any good? LORD, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us.

7Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than they have when their corn and their wine are increased.

8In peace will I both lay me down and sleep: for thou, LORD, alone makest me dwell in safety.

Psalm 5

1For the Chief Musician; with the Nehiloth. A Psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.

2Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee do I pray.

3O LORD, in the morning shalt thou hear my voice; in the morning will I order my prayer unto thee, and will keep watch.

4For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: evil shall not sojourn with thee.

5The arrogant shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.

6Thou shalt destroy them that speak lies: the LORD abhorreth the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

7But as for me, in the multitude of thy lovingkindness will I come into thy house: in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.

8Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way plain before my face.

9For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness: their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.

10Hold them guilty, O God; let them fall by their own counsels: thrust them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.

11But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice, let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

12For thou wilt bless the righteous; O LORD, thou wilt compass him with favour as with a shield.

Psalm 6

1For the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments, set to the Sheminith. A Psalm of David. O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure.

2Have mercy upon me, O LORD; for I am withered away: O LORD, heal me; for my bones are vexed.

3My soul also is sore vexed: and thou, O LORD, how long?

4Return, O LORD, deliver my soul: save me for thy lovingkindness’ sake.

5For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in Sheol who shall give thee thanks?

6I am weary with my groaning; every night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.

7Mine eye wasteth away because of grief; it waxeth old because of all mine adversaries.

8Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.

9The LORD hath heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer.

10All mine enemies shall be ashamed and sore vexed: they shall turn back, they shall be ashamed suddenly.

Psalm 7

1Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the LORD; concerning the words of Cush a Benjamite. O LORD my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that pursue me, and deliver me:

2Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.

3O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands;

4If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause was mine adversary:)

5Let the enemy pursue my soul, and overtake it; yea, let him tread my life down to the earth, and lay my glory in the dust. Selah

6Arise, O LORD, in thine anger, lift up thyself against the rage of mine adversaries: and awake for me; thou hast commanded judgment.

7And let the congregation of the peoples compass thee about: and over them return thou on high.

8The LORD ministereth judgment to the peoples: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and to mine integrity that is in me.

9Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish thou the righteous: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.

10My shield is with God, which saveth the upright in heart.

11God is a righteous judge, yea, a God that hath indignation every day.

12If a man turn not, he will whet his sword; he hath bent his bow, and made it ready.

13He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; he maketh his arrows fiery shafts.

14Behold, he travaileth with iniquity; yea, he hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood.

15He hath made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made.

16His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violence shall come down upon his own pate.

17I will give thanks unto the LORD according to his righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.

Psalm 8

1For the Chief Musician; set to the Gittith. A Psalm of David. O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory upon the heavens.

2Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou established strength, because of thine adversaries, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger.

3When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained;

4What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?

5For thou hast made him but little lower than God, and crownest him with glory and honour.

6Thou madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet:

7All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;

8The fowl of the air, and the fish of the sea, whatsoever passeth through the paths of the seas.

9O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth!

Revised Version (RV). Revised Version (RV), 1885, public domain.