Psalm 147

Psalm 147Hallelujah!  Praise the Lord!  How good to sing to God
‘Tis fitting, pleasant, beautiful, when saints, His works applaud.

He gathers in the outcast ones and heals their broken hearts
He binds their wounds, rebuilds their lives, and to them hope imparts.

This glorious God knows all the stars, calls each one out by name
His wisdom far beyond our own, His greatness we proclaim.

The wicked He casts to the ground, the humble He sustains
Take up your harp with thanksgiving, sing out melodious strains.

He spreads the clouds across the skies, sends rain for crops to grow
He feeds young ravens and the beasts, their needs He doth bestow.

He takes no pleasure in the strength of horse or human might
But in all those who hope in Him He does take great delight.

Praise the Lord, ye chosen ones, for all the ways He’s blessed
The finest wheat your children eat, enjoying peace and rest.

With just a word He sends forth snow and frost and hail and cold
Then sends a word and melts it all, ‘tis all by Him controlled.

How special that you hear His word, His statutes, rules and ways
No other people have a God who thus Himself displays.

Hallelujah!  Praise the Lord!  How good to sing to God
‘Tis fitting, pleasant, beautiful, when saints, His works applaud.

© J Dan Small

Psalm 119 – ת Taw

lost sheepTo You I cry, please hear, O Lord
give me discernment through Your word.

To You I lift my prayer and plea
as You have promised, rescue me.

Taught by You in all Your ways
my lips o’erflow with words of praise.

Today Your word I’ll speak abroad
Your perfect laws remain unflawed.

Trusting, I choose Your precepts right
stretch forth Your hand, help with Thy might.

tā·’aḇ·tî, I long for You to save
Your law my delight, Your word I crave.

tə·ḥî- nap̄·šî, let my soul live, I pray
and let Your good rules help me today.

tā·‘î·ṯî, I’ve gone astray just like a sheep
seek me and find me, Your laws I will keep.

© J Dan  Small

Psalm 119 – י Yodh

potterYour hands shaped and fashioned me
help my heart learn from Your decrees.

Ye ones who fear the Lord rejoice
because I’ve made His word my choice.

Yes, Lord, Your laws are just and right
Your discipline keeps me contrite.

You promised cov’nant loyalty
now may Your word my comfort be.

Your law, O Lord, is my delight
in mercy, come, that live I might.

Yê·ḇō·šū, shame on those who slander
but on Your precepts I will ponder.

Yet may all those who fear You see
that in Your statutes we agree.

Yielded and pure my heart would be
that from all shame I might be free.

© J Dan Small

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

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