Category / Psalms a Tempo

by jdansmall

Psalm 119 – ג Gimel

Kid BibleGoodness show to me today
so Your word I can obey.

Grant that my eyes may behold
wonders that Your law unfolds.

Groping my way through the land
hide not from me Your commands.

Great with longing my soul yearns
Your instructions to discern.

Grave rebukes await the proud
straying from what You’ve allowed.

Give relief from scorners taunts
Your decrees are all I want.

Gathered princes slander me
still I dwell on Your decrees.

Guided by advice that’s right
Your commands are my delight.

© J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 119 – ב Beth

Ps 119 11By taking heed to what You say
young ones learn to cleanse their way.

Because I seek with all my heart
from Your words I’ll not depart.

Buried treasure deep within
keeps me from all kinds of sin.

Blessed are You, Adonai
teach me Your law to apply.

Boldly I recite Your word
all that from Your mouth I’ve heard.

Bigger blessings than much gold
following Your statutes hold.

Bringing Your word to my mind
keeps my focus well-aligned.

Best delights Your laws affect
Your word I will not neglect.

© J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 119 – א Aleph

Psalm 119 is unusual in that it consists of 22 8-verse sections. Some Jewish traditions suggest that David wrote this as a way to teach young Solomon his alphabet. This is my attempt to duplicate that effort by having the first letter of every stanza in each section begin with the same letter (Hebrew transliterated). Occasionally I will use the Hebrew word as part of the poetry.

All who walk upright are blessed
to God’s law they acquiesce.

Asreh, Blest, His statutes keep
God, with all their heart they seek.

Always walking in His way
follow Him and never stray.

Axioms that God has made
should, by us, be all obeyed.

Abiding in what You require
is my heart’s supreme desire.

Ashamed my soul would never be
looking at commands from Thee.

A heart that’s pure pours out its praise
as it discerns Your righteous ways.

Avowed to follow Your decree
do not, O Lord, abandon me.

by jdansmall

Psalm 118

This is the DayO give thanks unto the Lord whose goodness we esteem
Lovingkindness never failing is our theme
All who honor Adonai can join the throng
Lovingkindness everlasting is our song.

In distress I called on Him and He answered me
Brought me to a spacious place and set me free
Now I know the Lord is for me, I’ll not fear
What can man do to afflict if He is near?

I shall triumph o’er my foes with Him by my side
Trusting not in earthly pow’rs, in Him I will hide
When surrounded on all sides I’ll call on His name
They’ll be cut off and destroyed like thorns in the flame.

Foes had pushed against me hard so that I would fall
But the Lord, my strength and song, replied to my call
Shouts of vict’ry and rejoicing, hear the glad sound
In the right hand of the Lord great triumph is found.

I’ll not die but live to tell what my Lord has done
Chastened by His hand severely, new life begun
Open wide the holy gates that thanks I may give
“Thank you that You answered me and caused me to live.”

Such amazing things accomplished by the Lord alone
Once rejected by the builders, now the cornerstone
This, the day the Lord has made, be glad and rejoice
Lord, we call on You to save us, please hear our voice.

Join us in the great procession citing His fame
Blessed He who comes to us in Adonai’s name
From the house of Adonai our blessings we bestow
Adonai, our God, is shining, in His light we go.

I declare, “You are my God!” it’s You I thank and praise
I exalt You as my God and will through endless days
Adonai, the Lord, is good, give thanks unto Him
Lovingkindness everlasting, this is our hymn.

© 2014  J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 116

Rescue meI love the Lord who hears my prayer
Inclines His ear in loving care
I’ll call on Him while I have breath
And when engulfed by cords of death.

My soul with terror faced Sheol
I felt death’s fingers ‘round my soul
Midst anxious thoughts and inner strife
“Lord, I beseech You, save my life.”

How kind and good is Adonai
On His compassion we rely
The humble ones He will preserve
He cares far more than we deserve.

My soul, return now to your rest
By Adonai you have been blessed
Rescued from death and sorrows tears
No falt’ring steps need cause you fear.

I live and walk before the Lord
On earth my life has been restored
Amidst my pain I did believe
But not in men who do deceive.

With what could I repay the Lord
For all His benefits outpoured?
I’ll call upon His precious name
And from His hand salvation claim.

I’ll publicly fulfill my vow
In the assembly ‘fore Him bow
The death of saints in our Lord’s sight
Is precious when our souls take flight.

Your humble servant I remain
You freed me from death’s awful chains
I lift my offering of praise
Calling Your name my voice I raise.

I’ll publicly fulfill my vow
In the assembly ‘fore Him bow
In Jerus’lem’s courts with one accord
We’ll sing and shout, “Praise ye the Lord!”

© 2014  J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 115

idolTo us no glory can belong but only to Your name
‘Tis Your unfailing love and truth we joyfully proclaim.

The nations ask, “Where is their God?” in taunting voice and shrill
Our sov’reign God dwells high above and does whate’er He will.

They think their gods superior of silver and of gold
Mere stony relics they have made and in their hands can hold.

With muted mouths and sightless eyes and ears that are not real
Idols with noses that can’t smell and hands that cannot feel.

They do have feet but cannot move, their voiceless throats are dumb
All those who made or trust in them will soon, like them, become.

O Israel, put your trust in God, He is your help and shield
O house of Aaron, turn to Him, He is your help and shield.

All those who fear the Lord can trust –He is your help and shield
Your Lord has kept you on His mind, His blessings hath revealed.

The Lord will bless all Israel, the house of Aaron, too
To small and great who fear the Lord His blessings will accrue.

May Adonai increase your clan, your children all give birth
May you be blessed by Adonai, Maker of heav’n and earth.

The heav’ns above belong to Him, they are His dwelling-place
The earth is ours to tend and keep, made for the human race.

The dead do not praise Adonai, in silent stillness lie
But as for us, we’ll bless the Lord from this time forth for aye.

© 2014  J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 114

Moses Strikes RockWhen Isra’el came from Egypt’s land
And freedom did obtain
Judah became God’s dwelling-place
And Israel His domain.

The Red Sea and the Jordan fled
When Israel drew near
The mountains and the hills convulsed
Why this display of fear?

Tremble, O earth, your Lord is nigh
His presence who can bear?
Who brings forth water from a rock
None can with Him compare.

© 2014  J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 113

ChildrenPraise ye the Lord, Hallelujah!
All His servants, praise His name!
Bless His name now and forever
All His wondrous deeds proclaim!

From the rising to the setting
Everywhere the sun doth shine
Praise His name, He is exalted
Highest glory, Lord divine.

Who is like the Lord Jehovah
Now enthroned in heav’n above?
Stooping down He sees the needy
Lifts them from the dust with love.

Raised us up from dust and ashes
Set us up as princes fair,
Caused the childless ones to prosper
Children’s voices fill the air.

Praise ye the Lord, Hallelujah!
All His servants, praise His name!
Bless His name now and forever
All His wondrous deeds proclaim!

© 2014  J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 112

BlessedPraise ye the Lord, Hallelujah,
All who fear the Lord are blest
In His ways they find true pleasure
Untold riches do possess.

Their descendants sure to prosper
Heirs who walk in righteousness
Wealth and riches, light in darkness
Everything they do is blessed.

They are gracious, kind, and upright
Quick to lend a helping hand
Fair and just in all their dealings
Long respected in the land.

Never fearing evil tidings
Trusting in the Lord always
Confident they face their battles
Victors stand through hard-fought frays.

Never selfish, always giving,
Sharing goods with those in need
Well-respected, loved, and honored
Endless praise for righteous deeds.

But the wicked writhe with envy
Gnash their teeth and waste away
Their desires come to nothing
All their dreams in dust decay.

© 2014  J Dan Small