by jdansmall

Psalm 74

Temple destroyedO God, look at the ruins
Have You rejected us?
Tho once You chose us as Your own
Mt Zion lies in dust.

The sanctuary smolders
The carvings axed and smashed
The enemy destroyed it all
Our place of worship trashed.

There are no signs or prophets
To tell us what to do
How long will this go on, God
With them insulting You?

Why do You withhold judgment?
Strike with Your pow’rful hand
Recall the time You split the sea
Turned rivers into sand.

O God, from ages past
You’ve been our Savior King
You reign majestic o’er the earth
For You made everything.

Recall, O Lord, this truth
Our foes reviled Your name
Do not forget Your turtledove
Or let this end in shame.

The covenant You made
We ask you to fulfill
Arise, O God, and plead Your cause
Their uproar You must still.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 73

slippery-slopeI know that God is good to us, to all whose hearts are pure
But as for me I almost slipped, my footholds were obscure
It started when I noticed that the wicked had it best
It seemed they got their every wish and never were distressed
Such easy, healthy, prosp’rous lives, in spite of pride and vice
They scoff at heaven, mock what’s right, deny they’ll pay the price
“God doesn’t know or doesn’t care,” they boast in all their ease
Pursuing all their wanton lusts, they do whate’er they please.

But what do I get in return for efforts to do right?
Is it in vain I try so hard to stay pure in Your sight?
Both day and night my life is pressed by troubles, pains, and grief
E’en though I strive for innocence, I never get relief
I dare not utter these complaints betraying what is true
I would not want to undermine Your people’s trust in You
I set myself to understand the reason it was so
But my best efforts were in vain, I simply didn’t know.

Then finally I took my case into God’s sanctuary
And there discovered that His judgment on them would not tarry
Their feet are on a slipp’ry slope and they will surely fall
So suddenly their end will come, fate nothing can forestall
The Lord awakes and laughs at all their proud imaginations
Like morning mist will disappear their dreams and aspirations
On seeing this I re’lized just how senseless and shortsighted
My bitter, anxious, envious thoughts my attitude had blighted.

You never have let go of me, You hold me by the hand
You guide me with Your counsel, helping me to understand
My destiny in You is sure, Your glory I will share
There is no one in heav’n or earth with whom I can compare
My mind and body, they may fail, but You will faithful be
Whereas all those who stray from You, Your judgment soon will see
My God is always by my side, how good to know He’s there
A refuge is the Lord my God, His works I will declare.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 72

king-david-croppedO God, we pray, endow this king with wisdom from on high
Your righteousness and justice lend that he may rule thereby
In every corner of the land may right and peace prevail
Defend the poor and the oppressed from all who would assail.

In rev’rent fear let peoples bow while sun and moon remain
Let peace abound, the righteous thrive throughout his royal reign
May kings and nomads everywhere bring gifts and tribute grand
And all the ends of earth bow down, his dynasty expand.

All the afflicted, helpless, poor will trust him to do right
The lives of needy he will save, made precious in his sight
Long live the king, your tribute bring, and lift him up in prayer
Then watch the hills abound with crops and fruits enough to share.

Forever let his name endure and men extol his worth
And bless the God of Israel whose glory fills the earth
‘Tis Adonai, the Lord our God, who performs wondrous deeds
His glorious name we bless, amen, all good from Him proceeds.

© 2014 J Dan Small
This ends the compilation of the prayers of David the son of Jesse. (Book Two)

by jdansmall

Psalm 71

David harpI run to You, O Adonai, to rescue me from shame
Be Thou my Refuge, shelt’ring Rock, hide me in Thy great name
Your righteousness is sure to save, my constant hiding place
Deliver me from all my foes and trials that I face.

When I was in my mother’s womb You watched and cared for me
No wonder I’ve made You my hope, my praise continually
In awe and wonder others see the way that You protect
And I, in worship, all day long Your glory recollect.

As I get older my strength fails, please don’t abandon me
The enemies who seek my life think You no longer see
So hurry, God, oppose the proud and put them in their place
May all who seek to harm me end in shame and much disgrace.

But as for me, I’ll not lose hope, I’ll praise You more and more
I can’t keep count of Your great works, O Lord, whom I adore
There is no one like our great God who saves in righteousness
Day after day, continually, with my mouth I’ll confess.

O God, You’ve taught me from my youth, and now I’m old and gray
Do not forsake me now, O God, I’ve so much more to say
I’ll make sure each new generation learns about Your deeds
So they will know that they can trust in You for all their needs.

Your ways are right because You see from heaven far above
Who is like You, O Lord my God, so faithful in Your love?
Tho You have let me see deep trials, You bring me up again
You raise me from disgrace and pain and comfort as a friend.

Break out the instruments of praise, I’ll sing to You, my God
My lips will shout, my tongue exclaim, your faithfulness applaud
You rescued me from vicious foes, I can’t stop praising You
And those who tried to do me harm are utterly subdued.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 70

pleadO God, please hurry and bring me relief
Hasten to rescue from sorrow and grief.
Turn back my enemies who seek my life
Put them to shame for their insults and strife.
Let those who seek You rejoice and take pride
And oft declare, “Let God be magnified.”
O Lord, I’m needy and poor, don’t delay
Quickly deliver for to You I pray.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 69

drowningSave me, O God,
I’m drowning in waters way over my head
Deeper and deeper, I feel like I’m sinking
My throat is so dry and I’m worn out from weeping,
My eyes are all swollen from tears I have shed.

I wait for my God
So many strong foes now against me array
They hate though against them no ill I devise
With false accusations and numerous lies
Things I did not steal they insist I repay.

You know me, O God
My folly and guilt is not hid from Your eyes
As for those who seek you and trust in Your name
Don’t let my disgrace end up bringing them shame
Dishonor and insults I cannot disguise.

For Your sake, O Lord
Insults intended for You fall on me
Estranged from my brothers, by family I’m spurned
My zeal for Your house this rejection has earned
It only gets worse when I weep bitterly.

I pray to You, Lord
I need You to rescue, Your favor to see
In Your lovingkindness my plight now address
As waters o’erwhelm me, by foes I’m oppressed
If You don’t deliver death will swallow me.

Answer me, O Lord
Your servant is hurting, do not hide Your face
Your mercies are good, Your compassions are great
Draw near to my soul, Lord, before it’s too late
You see all my foes, my reproach and disgrace.

You know them, Lord
My wicked opponents perceive my distress
They do not give comfort but poison instead
Let all their iniquities fall on their head
Pour out Your great wrath, do not give them success.

Your salvation, O God
My soul is afflicted, my body in pain
But You will deliver and raise me up strong
I’ll thank You and praise Your great name in my song
Which brings You more pleasure than animals slain.

Seek God for He hears
Encourage your hearts as you seek for His aid
The Lord listens closely to needy one’s cries
The humble and captives He will not despise
So praise Him Ye heavens and all that He made.

God will save
Though now for a season as captives you groan
Your offspring will one day inherit the land
He’ll rebuild your fortunes by His mighty hand
And all who love Him have a place of their own.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 68

Victory ParadeLet God arise and let His enemies be scattered
Let all who hate Him be driven from His sight
Like smoke before wind or wax in the fire
Let all the wicked perish in eternal night.

The righteous can exult and be glad in the Lord
Yes, sing to God, sing praises to His name
Make up loud songs to Him who rides the clouds
Rejoice in His presence, spread abroad His fame.

Father to the fatherless, protector of the widow
Such is our God in His holy dwelling place
Sets pris’ners free, puts lonely ones in families
Lets rebels suffer drought in their disgrace.

Our God went out and led us through the wilderness
The mountains quaked and the heavens poured forth rain
Abundant rain caused the weary land to flourish
Your people prospered and enjoyed great gain.

The Lord declared His Word and a great host proclaimed,
“Kings of the earth and their armies must flee
While you were sleeping my people took the spoil
My dove now gleams with silver filigree.”

The mountains of Bashan with its many peaks
Look on Mt. Zion with envy and hate
Jealous that God would chose it as His own
And on the mount of God establish His estate.

Thousands upon thousands, the chariots of God
The Lord among His people as at Sinai
A victory parade with captives in His train
Receiving gifts and tributes, He ascends on high.

Blessed be the Lord who daily bears us up
The God of our salvation, deliv’ring us from death
But woe to His enemies who walk in their sins
Your dogs will lick their blood as they take their final breath.

Behold the procession, our God and King goes forth
Into His sanctuary with joyful songs and dance
Singers and musicians, girls with tambourines
Benjamin and Judah, the princes all advance.

Summon Your great pow’r, God, and show Yourself strong
Into Your temple they will bring the gifts of foreign kings
You’ll scatter all who love to war from Egypt unto Cush
While all the kingdoms of the earth lift up their voice and sing.

Sing praises to the Lord, O earth, to Him who rides the clouds
His thund’ring voice, His mighty pow’r, awesome in majesty
He gives unto His chosen ones the strength and pow’r they need
We’ll tell the world of all Your deeds and lift our praise to Thee.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 67

May God be gracious unto us
His blessings pour on all who trust
And turn His face in tender love
Divine attention from above.

Then all the earth will know Your ways
All nations, too, will sing Your praise
Your great salvation be their song
A glad and joy-filled, happy throng.

You judge the people righteously
And guide the nations faithfully
Let all the peoples praise Your name
Your wondrous works to all proclaim.

Abundant harvest the earth yields
God blesses flocks and herds and fields
‘Tis God from whom these blessings flow
That all the earth great awe may know.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 66

Group PraiseShout to God, now, all the earth
Praise His name, declare His worth
Majestic chorus, skillful song,
To Him all glory must belong.

How awesome, God, are all Your deeds
Before Your pow’r the foe concedes
While all the earth bows down to You
And lifts their praise to Your name, too.

Come and behold the works of God
His awesome dealings we applaud
He turned the sea into dry land
We crossed on foot by His command.

His eyes keep watch on enemies
Before Him every rebel flees
We bless our God, our voices raise
He saved us, let us sound our praise.

Like silver in the furnace tried
You let men over our heads ride
When thru the fire and flood we passed
You led us to abundance vast.

The promises and vows I made
When I appealed to You for aid
I come now to Your house to bring
Choice sacrifice and offering.

Come, listen, all who fear the Lord
As I, His wonders, now record
When deep in trouble I cried out
My enemies He then did rout.

If in my heart sin did abound
No help from God would then be found
But He has heard my feeble prayer
In mercy He my life did spare.

So join with me in blessing God
Declare His praise home and abroad
He did not from my pleas refrain
Nor His great love and grace restrain.

© 2014 J Dan Small

by jdansmall

Psalm 65

To You, O God, in Zion,
Our praises now are due
We’ll keep the vows which we have made
As all flesh comes to You.

You hear our every prayer
When sinful deeds abound
You will atone for all our crimes
Forgiveness there is found.

What joy for those You choose
Within Your courts to dwell
Your goodness satisfying us
Much more than we could tell.

You answer every prayer
With great and awesome deeds
In You all men will put their trust
As You meet every need.

By Your almighty pow’r
You formed the mountains tall
You quieted the raging seas
The oceans noisy squall.

The tumult of the peoples
At Your command is stilled
Your wonders all the earth can see
Their hearts with awe are filled.

From morning until evening
With gladness we o’erflow
You water all our crops and fields
And cause them all to grow.

Because of You, O God
The desert comes alive
Your river flows abundantly
So e’en the pathways thrive.

The hills around rejoice
With flocks of sheep they’re dressed
The valleys filled with grain all shout
Behold how we are blest!

© 2014 J Dan Small