Category / Psalms a Tempo

by jdansmall

Psalm 37

Don’t be so jealous of those who do bad
And don’t you be coveting all that they have
It won’t be too long ‘fore their life is no more
And all their prosperity soon will be o’er.

Trust in the Lord and do good everyday
And plant your feet firmly on His narrow way
Delight yourself only in what He requires
And He’ll give to you all that your heart desires.

Give Him control of the path that you take
Entrust to Him all of the plans that you make
As you do these things He will cause you to shine
With goodness and justice and new life divine.

So, patiently wait and find rest now in Him
Don’t fret or be anxious about those who sin
Don’t focus on evil that sinners may do
And don’t become angry, it’s not good for you.

Just wait a short while and they will be no more
But wait on the Lord, He will open new doors
For all of their boasting there’s nothing to show
But, rivers of peace on the meek overflow.

Against godly people the wicked may plot
Be sure that the Lord will bring their plans to naught
They may bend their bows and take out their great sword
It all will come back on themselves, laughs the Lord.

Far better than riches of the wicked throngs
May be the few things that to righteous belong
The wealth of the sinner will soon be dispersed
The plight of the righteous, the Lord will reverse.

The Lord watches over the lives of His saints
So even in famine they’ll have no complaints
The blessings that He gives forever will last
They inherit the earth, and its wealth amass.

The wicked will perish and vanish away
They constantly borrow but never repay
The righteous show mercy and give lib’rally
That’s why the Lord blesses them eternally.

The steps of a good man the Lord oversees
His actions and words cause the Lord to be pleased
And tho he may falter or stumble and fall
The Lord holds his hand and will raise him up tall.

I’ve lived many years and don’t think I’m mistaken
But never have seen any righteous forsaken
Their children aren’t starving or begging for bread
They’re merciful, constantly giving instead.

I hope from this poem you learn that you should
Depart from all evil and only do good
With justice the Lord always is satisfied
And from those who fear Him He never will hide.

The mouth of the righteous speaks only what’s right
And wisdom and justice are his great delight
In his heart is hidden the law of his God
His steps will be solid wherever he plod.

Be sure that the wicked will soon be cut down
But your generations forever abound
So don’t be dismayed when they try to assail
The Lord cares for you and will cause them to fail.

So wait on the Lord and stay fixed on His path
You’ll get the Lord’s blessing, the wicked -His wrath
Although they have flourished like massive green trees
They’ll soon pass away and be gone like a breeze.

So note the upright and the blameless observe
A life full of peace now for them is reserved
I’ve said it before but must say it once more
Transgressors have nothing but trouble in store.

Salvation for righteous will come from the Lord
His help and deliv’rance a certain reward
He’ll give them His strength to endure the hard day
Because they have trusted in Him all the way.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 37 (Part 1)

Don’t be jealous of those who do bad
Don’t be coveting the things they have
It won’t be long ‘till their life is o’er
And all their prosperity will be no more.

Trust in the Lord and do good everyday
And plant your feet on His narrow way
Delight yourself in what He requires
He’ll satisfy all your heart’s desires.

Give Him control of the path you take
Entrust to Him all the plans you make
Before you know it your life will shine
With goodness and justice and life divine.

So, rest in the Lord and wait for Him
Don’t fret or be anxious ‘bout those who sin
Don’t focus on the things that sinners do
Don’t be angry ‘cause it’s not good for you.

In just a little while they will be no more
But waiting on the Lord will open new doors
For all their boasting they’ll have nothing to show
But, rivers of peace o’er the meek will flow.

Tho against the godly the wicked may plot
The Lord will bring all their plans to naught
Tho they bend the bow and draw their sword
They’ll self-destruct, so laughs the Lord.

Far better than the riches of the wicked throngs
Is the little that to the righteous belongs
The abundance of the sinner will soon be shattered
While the Lord regards those who did what mattered.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 36

The sinner listens to his heart
Deceived by sin and hate
And in his eyes no fear of God
Believes that he is great.

Throughout the night he dreams up more
And plans his evil ways
Devoid of wisdom or of good
Just wickedness displays.

But, oh how great Your mercies, Lord
Your faithfulness to us
Extending to the heav’ns above
In Thee we place our trust.

Like mountains tall Your righteousness
Your judgments deep and wide
Both man and beast draw life from You
Under Your wings they hide.

Your lovingkindness, oh, how sweet
By Your abundance filled
Rivers and fountains of delights
With life and light instilled.

Extend Your mercies, Lord, to us
To all who walk upright
But may the proud and wicked ones
Be thrust out from Your sight.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 35

Stand up for me, O Lord!
Do battle with my foes
Take up Your shield, draw out Your spear
Defeat all who oppose.

Within my soul declare
“I am your Savior, strong!”
May those who plot and seek my life
Be caught in their own wrong.

Like chaff before the wind
Your angels chase them all
They’ve dug a pit and set a snare
And into them they fall.

Then I will sing for joy
Your salvation proclaim
My bones will say “There’s none like You!”
Yes, “Savior” is Your name.

You rescue poor and weak
Who are oppressed, pursued
O’erwhelmed by might they can’t defeat
Their foes you have subdued.

Fierce witnesses rise up
Accusing me with lies
They return evil for my good
My soul in sorrow sighs.

When sickness was their lot
My heart was filled with tears
I fasted, prayed, and paced the floor
As for a loved-one dear.

But then when I was down
They gathered, full of glee
Mocking and slander would not cease
They gnashed their teeth at me.

How long will You look on?
Rescue from lion’s claws
Then all the saints will hear my praise
And join in my applause.

Do not let them succeed
Who wink and act so mean
They don’t speak peace but conceive lies
“Aha, our eyes have seen!”

But You have seen, O Lord
And must not silent be
Come to my aid, don’t let them gloat
Or rejoice over me.

Don’t let them say, “Aha!
We got what we desired”
Humble them, Lord, expose their shame
Who against me conspire.

Let shouts of joy be heard
From those who take my side
I’ll join in praising You who save
“The Lord be magnified!”

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 35 (Part 1)

Stand up for me, O Lord!
Do battle with my foes
Take up Your shield, draw out Your spear
Defeat all who oppose.

Within my soul declare
“I am your Savior, strong!”
May those who plot and seek my life
Be caught in their own wrong.

Like chaff before the wind
Your angels chase them all
They’ve dug a pit and set a snare
And into them they fall.

Then I will sing for joy
Your salvation proclaim
My bones will say “There’s none like You!”
Yes, “Savior” is Your name.

You rescue poor and weak
Who are oppressed, pursued
O’erwhelmed by might they can’t defeat
Their foes you have subdued.

Fierce witnesses rise up
Accusing me with lies
They return evil for my good
My soul in sorrow sighs.

When sickness was their lot
My heart was filled with tears
I fasted, prayed, and paced the floor
As for a loved-one dear.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 34

Bless the Lord, Oh, Bless the Lord, I Bless the Lord forever!
My mouth will always speak His praise
My soul exalt, His triumphs raise
Rejoice, ye humble, all your days
Let us magnify and exalt His Name together!

I sought the Lord, He heard my cry, rescued from all my fear
They looked to Him, their faces shone
No shame, disgrace, or fear they’ve known
This poor man cried, He heard my groan
The angel of the Lord surrounds, I feel His presence near.

Oh, taste and see, the Lord is good, the ones who trust are blessed
So fear the Lord, all you His saints
Tho lions starve and even faint
Those seeking Him have no complaints
No good thing lacking for all those who in Him find their rest.

So, come, my children, hear my voice, I’ll teach you to fear Him
To have a life that’s long and good
Say only things you know you should
Do right, not wrong each time you could
Pursuing peace and righteousness will keep you far from sin.

The eyes of the Lord are on His saints, His ears hear what they cry
From wicked ones He turns His face
To cut them from their dwelling place
But when the righteous seek His grace
Their broken, contrite spirit finds on Him they can rely.

Many the troubles of the saints but from them all He saves
No broken bones on them are found
While wicked men with sins abound
With judgment their head will be crowned
But souls of saints will be redeemed, He’ll save them from the grave.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 33

Sing out for joy unto the Lord all you who are upright
Give thanks, sing praise, and shout for joy, your harps play skillfully
Justice He loves and righteousness, your praise is His delight
His word and works are always true, His mercies all can see.

With just a word the heav’ns were formed, His breath the stars so grand
The waters of the oceans deep He stores in piles vast
Let all the earth now fear the Lord, in awe before Him stand
For when He speaks, the work is done; at His command, stands fast.

While mortal men do plot and scheme He frustrates everything
But all His plans and purposes for ages will abide
Blessed is the nation that has made the Lord their God and King
Indeed, the people He did choose to keep them by His side.

The Lord looks on the sons of earth from His place in the sky
Their inmost hearts were made by Him, their works He understands
In vain do kings and armies great on their own strength rely
Salvation and deliv’rance ne’er can come from all their plans.

But the Lord’s eye is on the ones who fear Him and whose hope
Rests solely on His lovingkindness as their help and shield
Our soul waits for the Lord to act, His mercies we invoke
Rejoice and trust in Him always, before Him humbly yield.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 32

How thrilled and blessed are the ones
whose rebel sins are gone
How thrilled and blessed are the ones
no guilt, no guile, no dread.

But, oh the groaning of the ones
who cover up their sins
The hand of God is laid on them
and weakness is their lot.

I quickly saw my wretched state
and pulled the curtain back
I gave the ugly mess to God
and He forgave it all.

Because You are so gracious, Lord
we gladly come in prayer
Those who delay in seeking You
may find that it’s too late.

My hiding place, my fortress strong
I’m safe from all my foes
My life is now a constant song
declaring that You save.

“I want to be your teacher, guide”
is what I hear You say
“Just keep your eyes on Me each day
I’ll guide you with My eye.”

Do not be like the horse or mule
who seem to lack good sense
Unless you force them with the bit
they run from you, their friend.

The wicked find that life is hard
and lonely is their path
But all who trust the Lord will be
surrounded by His love.

So now be glad you’re in the Lord
and shout the joyful news
That, “Truly blessed is the one
who lives his life with God.”

© 2014 J Dan Smal

by jdansmall

Psalm 31 (Part 2)

But as for me, I trust in God
And all that You have planned
I say to You, “Thou art my God
My times are in Thy hand.”

Deliver me from all my foes
May Your face shine on me
Let me not, Lord, be put to shame
Save when I call on Thee.

Let those with lying lips be dumb
The wicked be disgraced
Who boast and slander all the saints
May they, Your judgment face.

But, oh how great Your goodness, Lord
Stored up for those who fear
The ones whose refuge is in Thee
You shelter, bring them near.

Away from all the plots of men
In You your people hide
Your presence is the secret place
Where safely they reside.

You shelter me from evil tongues
Besieged, I bless You, Lord
In my alarm I thought You’d left
My cry would be ignored.

But You have shown great mercy, Lord
You heard my des’perate plea
So, love the Lord, all you His saints
Preserved so faithfully.

The arrogant He will repay
Each one his due reward
But all will strength and courage find
Whose hope is in the Lord.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 31 (Part 1)

I run to You, O Lord
And hide myself in Thee
Because You always do what’s right
My Rock and Fortress be.

Let me not be ashamed
In You I put my trust
Bow down Your ear, deliver me
I know that You are just.

You are my hiding place
I get my strength from Thee
For Your name’s sake, please lead and guide
From their nets rescue me.

Into Your hand, O Lord
My spirit I commit
You have redeemed. O God of truth
I willingly submit.

I hate idolaters
Who worship worthless gods
But I put my trust in the Lord
Whose mercy I applaud.

You cause me to rejoice
In Your amazing grace
You’ve seen my plight and set my feet
Secure in a wide place.

Have mercy on me now
My troubles have increased
I spend my days in sighs and tears
My life has almost ceased.

Scorned by my enemies
Rejected by my friend
Forgotten, lonely, full of fear
When will this madness end?

I’m like a shattered pot
Ignored as if I’d died
I hear their slander and their threats
These all against me side.

© 2014 J Dan Small