Category / Psalms a Tempo

by jdansmall

Psalm 51

contriteO God, have mercy, have mercy on me
Wash me and cleanse me from my iniquity
Your lovingkindness is what I now plead
To blot out my sins and my evil deeds.

The weight of my sin now weighs on my mind
Relief from my guilt I can’t seem to find
Against You I’ve sinned, done wrong in Your sight
Your charges against me are just and right.

E’er since I was born sin ruled in my heart
But You want truth and wisdom would impart
Purge me with hyssop, remove every stain
Whiter than snow my life will then remain.

Let gladness and joy be sounds that I hear
The bones You have crushed rejoice and not fear
So from my sins please turn away Your face
Remove and put a clean heart in their place.

Create, O God, a clean heart deep inside
So that in me Your Spirit may abide
Restore to me the joy of being saved
Then I will teach the sinners and depraved.

Save me from guilt of blood that I have shed
Then I can sing my praise to you instead
It’s not burnt offerings that You desire
A contrite heart is all that You require.

Rebuild our walls, restore Your city now
Be pleased with blessings Zion to endow
Then offerings from hearts You have made right
And sacrifices will bring You great delight.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 49

Now hear this, all you who dwell on earth
Rich or poor, regardless of your worth
I’ve wisdom to impart,
a proverb you should hear
I’ll play it on my harp
Life’s riddles will be clear.

Why should I in days of trouble fear
Even when my foes around appear?
They trust in all their wealth
And boast prosperity
But they can’t buy good health
Or perpetuity.

CemeteryDeath will come to wise and fool and brute
Shared destiny –the stupid and astute.
Their wealth is left behind
As hard as they may try
In due time they all find
It is their turn to die.

All earth’s gold could ne’er a soul redeem
Nor would God a ransom equal deem
They perish just like beasts
Their bodies waste away
The greatest to the least
No more see light of day.

When that day comes my soul, my God will save
He’ll take me Home, not leave me in the grave
That’s why we must not fret
When wealthy folks are praised
In spite of all they get
In dust their glory lays.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 47

Clap your hands, all ye people
Shout to God with joy-filled songs
Adonai Elyon is awesome
He is King o’er all earth’s throngs!

Gave us vict’ry o’er our enemy
Subdued nations ‘neath our feet
Gave us our own land forever
As our portion, oh how sweet!

At the sound of shouts and shofar
God ascends to His great throne
Sing your praises, sing your praises
With your voice His deeds make known.

God is king of all the nations
Kings of earth to Him bow down
Gather, princes and God’s people
The exalted Sov’reign crown.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 46

God is our refuge and our strength
In times of trouble, near
Though oceans roar and mountains quake
Our heart will have no fear.

The sacred home of El Elyon
The city of our God
A river and its streams are there
With gladness we applaud.

At break of day the city stands
Because our God is here
He’ll shake the nations, thund’ring loud
But we will dwell secure.

Adōnai-Tzva’ot is with us
The Lord of Hosts His name
Come, see the works of Adonai
His victories proclaim.

Consider all His pow’rful deeds
He makes the warrior yield
He breaks their bow and snaps the spear
In fire burns their shield.

Be still and learn that I am God
I take the highest place
All nations on the earth must bow
My sov’reignty embrace.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 45 – A Love Song for the King

O King, my heart and lips o’erflow
With contemplations sweet
Let me recite so all will know
Your virtues they’ll repeat.

Fairer than all the sons of men
Your speech imbued with grace
God’s blessings on You never end
And none can take Your place.

Take up Your sword, O Mighty One
Go forth triumphantly
In paths of righteousness You run
Meekness and majesty.

Your truth will prosper in the land
You shout the battle call
Great are the deeds of Your right hand
Your enemies must fall.

Your throne, O God, will never end
You rule in righteousness
Those who do right You will defend
The wicked never bless.

Therefore Your God anointed You
And blessed beyond Your friends
Rich scents of myrrh and aloes, too
From royal robes ascend.

From iv’ry palaces the sound
Of music makes You glad
Daughters of kings with You are found
The queen in gold is clad.

Listen, O daughter, turn your ear
Forget your family
Unto the king yourself endear
Your beauty let him see.

Bow low before your lord and king
And worship at his feet
Rich gifts the people to you bring
As they your favor seek.

The radiant princess clothed in gold
Enters the royal hall
Her beauty all her friends extol
The King she will enthrall

Your sons will be your pride and fame
Great princes in the earth
Posterity will praise your name
As they declare your worth.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 43

Again I plead my case to You and beg for Your defense
Oppression from deceitful men and godless is intense.

There was a time when You gave strength, have You rejected me?
How long must I endure attacks from ruthless enemies?

Send out Your light and truth to me that they may lead me Home
I long to see Thy holy hill, Your altar and Your Throne.

My God and my exceeding joy, I praise you with the lyre
O God, my God, it’s You alone my soul longs to admire.

So don’t be downcast, O my soul, or let the troubles reign
Hope yet in God, He’s here to save, I shall praise Him again.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 42

Just as the deer in times of drought pants for a stream or creek
So my soul longs and thirsts for You and for Your face I seek.

When can I go and stand before the living God I’ve known?
To once again feel close to Him is why my spirit groans.

Both day and night, tears are my food, while enemies do taunt
“Where is this God you claim is yours, the One you say you want?”

There was a time when I would lead the worshippers in song
A great procession, thankful crowd, rejoicing with the throng.

Why should I let depression rule or soak my bed with tears?
I’ll place my hope in God again, give Him my doubts and fears.

So now when deep depression hits I simply call to mind
The God who runs the universe, keeps all the stars aligned.

When waves of sadness o’er me sweep and my soul churns within
I’ll call out to my loving God and turn my thoughts to Him.

For every day His love He pours into my needy heart
And all night long I’ll sing His songs, my praise to Him impart.

“O God my Rock,” to You I cry. “Have You forgotten me?”
Why must I wander in my grief, oppressed by enemies?

Each time I hear their scoffing quest, “Where is this God you’ve known?”
It wounds my spirit, hurts my soul, like breaking of my bones.

But once again I reprimand my aching, troubled soul
Hope yet in God, praises will flow, your life He will make whole.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 41

Blessed is the man who is helpful to the poor
When he is in trouble, deliverance is sure
Protection from his enemies
Relief from all disease
Because he cared for others, on earth he will endure.

Now my soul is troubled, I cry out for relief
Hear my plea for mercy, consider all my grief
My enemies are speaking lies
And look, in hope, for my demise
Even my close friend leaves me, I faint in disbelief.

Will You, Lord, be gracious and rescue from my plight?
Then I’ll know You love me, that I am Your delight
Let not my foe gain victory
Uphold in my integrity
Forever I will bless You, and dwell within Your sight.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 39

“All right,” I said, “I’ll watch my steps
And keep my tongue from speaking
When wicked men around me stand
I’ll reign in all my feelings.”

I held my peace and sealed my lips
But in my soul was burning
The fire of sorrow and distress
My thots within were churning.

Finally I cried out to the Lord,
“Give me a new perspective
Help me to see how brief life is
Make my days more redemptive.”

What is the measure of my days?
Show me how frail I am
Yes, all my years and wisdom gained
Are to You one hand span.

Man at his best is a mere breath
A shadow passing by
In frantic pace amassing wealth
Not even knowing why.

In light of this what can I say?
My only hope is You
Deliver me from all my sins
My rebel ways subdue.

When with Your hand of discipline
The sinner You correct
Their life and breath just melts away
Their glory You reject.

Please hear my prayer, observe my tears
And do not silent be
Lest as a stranger in Your eyes
My life should cease to be.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 38

O Lord, hold back Your angry hand
That chastens life and limb
The burden’s great, I cannot stand
Because of all my sin.

Your arrows pierce me deep inside
My flesh and bones are weak
My groans and sighs I cannot hide
Relief from You I seek.

The wrongs I’ve done are piled high
My heart throbs in disgrace
Even the life within my eye
Is gone, there’s not a trace.

And now my loved ones and my friends
Have all abandoned me
And those who want my life to end
Devise their treachery.

I’ve shut my ears to all they say
My mouth has no reply
My feet have clearly gone astray
My sins I can’t deny.

O Lord, You know just what I need
You hear my fainting cry
I hope in You, to You I plead
Answer me lest I die.

Many there are who hate my life
They taunt me when I fail
Tho I’ve not harmed them, they cause strife
Oppressing, they prevail.

My sins I willingly confess
Acknowledge wrongs I’ve done
Against You, Lord, I did transgress
Humbly to You I come.

Do not forsake or hide Your face
Make haste to help me now
I look to You for saving grace
My hope alone art Thou.

© 2014 J Dan Small