The Message (MSG)

1-2 PraiseGod, everybody!

ApplaudGod, all people!

His love has taken over our lives;

God’s faithful ways are eternal.

Hallelujah!

—https://d1b84921e69nmq.cloudfront.net/85/32k/PSA/117-20aab345e690a99d99d812229fdcf006.mp3?version_id=97—

1-4 ThankGodbecause he’s good,

because his love never quits.

Tell the world, Israel,

“His love never quits.”

And you, clan of Aaron, tell the world,

“His love never quits.”

And you who fearGod, join in,

“His love never quits.”

5-16 Pushed to the wall, I called toGod;

from the wide open spaces, he answered.

God’s now at my side and I’m not afraid;

who would dare lay a hand on me?

God’s my strong champion;

I flick off my enemies like flies.

Far better to take refuge inGod

than trust in people;

Far better to take refuge inGod

than trust in celebrities.

Hemmed in by barbarians,

inGod’s name I rubbed their faces in the dirt;

Hemmed in and with no way out,

inGod’s name I rubbed their faces in the dirt;

Like swarming bees, like wild prairie fire, they hemmed me in;

inGod’s name I rubbed their faces in the dirt.

I was right on the cliff-edge, ready to fall,

whenGodgrabbed and held me.

God’s my strength, he’s also my song,

and now he’s my salvation.

Hear the shouts, hear the triumph songs

in the camp of the saved?

“The hand ofGodhas turned the tide!

The hand ofGodis raised in victory!

The hand ofGodhas turned the tide!”

17-20 I didn’t die. Ilived!

And now I’m telling the world whatGoddid.

Godtested me, he pushed me hard,

but he didn’t hand me over to Death.

Swing wide the city gates—therighteousgates!

I’ll walk right through and thankGod!

This Temple Gate belongs toGod,

so the victors can enter and praise.

21-25 Thank you for responding to me;

you’ve truly become my salvation!

The stone the masons discarded as flawed

is now the capstone!

This isGod’s work.

We rub our eyes—we can hardly believe it!

This is the very dayGodacted—

let’s celebrate and be festive!

Salvation now,God. Salvation now!

Oh yes,God—a free and full life!

26-29 Blessed are you who enter inGod’s name—

fromGod’s house we bless you!

Godis God,

he has bathed us in light.

Festoon the shrine with garlands,

hang colored banners above the altar!

You’re my God, and I thank you.

O my God, I lift high your praise.

ThankGod—he’s so good.

His love never quits!

—https://d1b84921e69nmq.cloudfront.net/85/32k/PSA/118-abad1c96b28d118d8b68427546fd5a92.mp3?version_id=97—

1-8 You’re blessed when you stay on course,

walking steadily on the road revealed byGod.

You’re blessed when you follow his directions,

doing your best to find him.

That’s right—you don’t go off on your own;

you walk straight along the road he set.

You,God, prescribed the right way to live;

now you expect us to live it.

Oh, that my steps might be steady,

keeping to the course you set;

Then I’d never have any regrets

in comparing my life with your counsel.

I thank you for speaking straight from your heart;

I learn the pattern of your righteous ways.

I’m going to do what you tell me to do;

don’t ever walk off and leave me.

9-16 How can a young person live a clean life?

By carefully reading the map of your Word.

I’m single-minded in pursuit of you;

don’t let me miss the road signs you’ve posted.

I’ve banked your promises in the vault of my heart

so I won’t sin myself bankrupt.

Be blessed,God;

train me in your ways of wise living.

I’ll transfer to my lips

all the counsel that comes from your mouth;

I delight far more in what you tell me about living

than in gathering a pile of riches.

I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you,

I attentively watch how you’ve done it.

I relish everything you’ve told me of life,

I won’t forget a word of it.

17-24 Be generous with me and I’ll live a full life;

not for a minute will I take my eyes off your road.

Open my eyes so I can see

what you show me of your miracle-wonders.

I’m a stranger in these parts;

give me clear directions.

My soul is starved and hungry, ravenous!—

insatiable for your nourishing commands.

And those who think they know so much,

ignoring everything you tell them—let them have it!

Don’t let them mock and humiliate me;

I’ve been careful to do just what you said.

While bad neighbors maliciously gossip about me,

I’m absorbed in pondering your wise counsel.

Yes, your sayings on life are what give me delight;

I listen to them as to good neighbors!

25-32 I’m feeling terrible—I couldn’t feel worse!

Get me on my feet again. You promised, remember?

When I told my story, you responded;

train me well in your deep wisdom.

Help me understand these things inside and out

so I can ponder your miracle-wonders.

My sad life’s dilapidated, a falling-down barn;

build me up again by your Word.

Barricade the road that goes Nowhere;

grace me with your clear revelation.

I choose the true road to Somewhere,

I post your road signs at every curve and corner.

I grasp and cling to whatever you tell me;

God, don’t let me down!

I’ll run the course you lay out for me

if you’ll just show me how.

33-40 God, teach me lessons for living

so I can stay the course.

Give me insight so I can do what you tell me—

my whole life one long, obedient response.

Guide me down the road of your commandments;

I love traveling this freeway!

Give me a bent for your words of wisdom,

and not for piling up loot.

Divert my eyes from toys and trinkets,

invigorate me on the pilgrim way.

Affirm your promises to me—

promises made to all who fear you.

Deflect the harsh words of my critics—

but what you say is always so good.

See how hungry I am for your counsel;

preserve my life through your righteous ways!

41-48 Let your love,God, shape my life

with salvation, exactly as you promised;

Then I’ll be able to stand up to mockery

because I trusted your Word.

Don’t ever deprive me of truth, not ever—

your commandments are what I depend on.

Oh, I’ll guard with my life what you’ve revealed to me,

guard it now, guard it ever;

And I’ll stride freely through wide open spaces

as I look for your truth and your wisdom;

Then I’ll tell the world what I find,

speak out boldly in public, unembarrassed.

I cherish your commandments—oh, how I love them!—

relishing every fragment of your counsel.

49-56 Remember what you said to me, your servant—

I hang on to these words for dear life!

These words hold me up in bad times;

yes, your promises rejuvenate me.

The insolent ridicule me without mercy,

but I don’t budge from your revelation.

I watch for your ancient landmark words,

and know I’m on the right track.

But when I see the wicked ignore your directions,

I’m beside myself with anger.

I set your instructions to music

and sing them as I walk this pilgrim way.

I meditate on your name all night,God,

treasuring your revelation, OGod.

Still, I walk through a rain of derision

because I live by your Word and counsel.

57-64 Because you have satisfied me,God, I promise

to do everything you say.

I beg you from the bottom of my heart: smile,

be gracious to me just as you promised.

When I took a long, careful look at your ways,

I got my feet back on the trail you blazed.

I was up at once, didn’t drag my feet,

was quick to follow your orders.

The wicked hemmed me in—there was no way out—

but not for a minute did I forget your plan for me.

I get up in the middle of the night to thank you;

your decisions are so right, so true—I can’t wait till morning!

I’m a friend and companion of all who fear you,

of those committed to living by your rules.

Your love,God, fills the earth!

Train me to live by your counsel.

65-72 Be good to your servant,God;

be as good as your Word.

Train me in good common sense;

I’m thoroughly committed to living your way.

Before I learned to answer you, I wandered all over the place,

but now I’m in step with your Word.

You are good, and the source of good;

train me in your goodness.

The godless spread lies about me,

but I focus my attention on what you are saying;

They’re bland as a bucket of lard,

while I dance to the tune of your revelation.

My troubles turned out all for the best—

they forced me to learn from your textbook.

Truth from your mouth means more to me

than striking it rich in a gold mine.

73-80 With your very own hands you formed me;

now breathe your wisdom over me so I can understand you.

When they see me waiting, expecting your Word,

those who fear you will take heart and be glad.

I can see now,God, that your decisions are right;

your testing has taught me what’s true and right.

Oh, love me—and right now!—hold me tight!

just the way you promised.

Now comfort me so I can live, really live;

your revelation is the tune I dance to.

Let the fast-talking tricksters be exposed as frauds;

they tried to sell me a bill of goods,

but I kept my mind fixed on your counsel.

Let those who fear you turn to me

for evidence of your wise guidance.

And let me live whole and holy, soul and body,

so I can always walk with my head held high.

81-88 I’m homesick—longing for your salvation;

I’m waiting for your word of hope.

My eyes grow heavy watching for some sign of your promise;

how long must I wait for your comfort?

There’s smoke in my eyes—they burn and water,

but I keep a steady gaze on the instructions you post.

How long do I have to put up with all this?

How long till you haul my tormentors into court?

The arrogant godless try to throw me off track,

ignorant as they are of God and his ways.

Everything you command is a sure thing,

but they harass me with lies. Help!

They’ve pushed and pushed—they never let up—

but I haven’t relaxed my grip on your counsel.

In your great love revive me

so I can alertly obey your every word.

89-96 What you say goes,God,

andstays, as permanent as the heavens.

Your truth never goes out of fashion;

it’s as up-to-date as the earth when the sun comes up.

Your Word and truth are dependable as ever;

that’s what you ordered—you set the earth going.

If your revelation hadn’t delighted me so,

I would have given up when the hard times came.

But I’ll never forget the advice you gave me;

you saved my life with those wise words.

Save me! I’m all yours.

I look high and low for your words of wisdom.

The wicked lie in ambush to destroy me,

but I’m only concerned with your plans for me.

I see the limits to everything human,

but the horizons can’t contain your commands!

97-104 Oh, how I love all you’ve revealed;

I reverently ponder it all the day long.

Your commands give me an edge on my enemies;

they never become obsolete.

I’ve even become smarter than my teachers

since I’ve pondered and absorbed your counsel.

I’ve become wiser than the wise old sages

simply by doing what you tell me.

I watch my step, avoiding the ditches and ruts of evil

so I can spend all my time keeping your Word.

I never make detours from the route you laid out;

you gave me such good directions.

Your words are so choice, so tasty;

I prefer them to the best home cooking.

With your instruction, I understand life;

that’s why I hate false propaganda.

105-112 By your words I can see where I’m going;

they throw a beam of light on my dark path.

I’ve committed myself and I’ll never turn back

from living by your righteous order.

Everything’s falling apart on me,God;

put me together again with your Word.

Festoon me with your finest sayings,God;

teach me your holy rules.

My life is as close as my own hands,

but I don’t forget what you have revealed.

The wicked do their best to throw me off track,

but I don’t swerve an inch from your course.

I inherited your book on living; it’s mine forever—

what a gift! And how happy it makes me!

I concentrate on doing exactly what you say—

I always have and always will.

113-120 I hate the two-faced,

but I love your clear-cut revelation.

You’re my place of quiet retreat;

I wait for your Word to renew me.

Get out of my life, evildoers,

so I can keep my God’s commands.

Take my side as you promised; I’ll live then for sure.

Don’t disappoint all my grand hopes.

Stick with me and I’ll be all right;

I’ll give total allegiance to your definitions of life.

Expose all who drift away from your sayings;

their casual idolatry is lethal.

You reject earth’s wicked as so much rubbish;

therefore I lovingly embrace everything you say.

I shiver in awe before you;

your decisions leave me speechless with reverence.

121-128 I stood up for justice and the right;

don’t leave me to the mercy of my oppressors.

Take the side of your servant, good God;

don’t let the godless take advantage of me.

I can’t keep my eyes open any longer, waiting for you

to keep your promise to set everything right.

Let your love dictate how you deal with me;

teach me from your textbook on life.

I’m your servant—help me understand what that means,

the inner meaning of your instructions.

It’s time to act,God;

they’ve made a shambles of your revelation!

Yea-Saying God, I love what you command,

I love it better than gold and gemstones;

Yea-Saying God, I honor everything you tell me,

I despise every deceitful detour.

129-136 Every word you give me is a miracle word—

how could I help but obey?

Break open your words, let the light shine out,

let ordinary people see the meaning.

Mouth open and panting,

I wanted your commands more than anything.

Turn my way, look kindly on me,

as you always do to those who personally love you.

Steady my steps with your Word of promise

so nothing malign gets the better of me.

Rescue me from the grip of bad men and women

so I can live life your way.

Smile on me, your servant;

teach me the right way to live.

I cry rivers of tears

because nobody’s living by your book!

137-144 Youareright and youdoright,God;

your decisions are right on target.

You rightly instruct us in how to live

ever faithful to you.

My rivals nearly did me in,

they persistently ignored your commandments.

Your promise has been tested through and through,

and I, your servant, love it dearly.

I’m too young to be important,

but I don’t forget what you tell me.

Your righteousness is eternally right,

your revelation is the only truth.

Even though troubles came down on me hard,

your commands always gave me delight.

The way you tell me to live is always right;

help me understand it so I can live to the fullest.

145-152 I call out at the top of my lungs,

“God! Answer! I’ll do whatever you say.”

I called to you, “Save me

so I can carry out all your instructions.”

I was up before sunrise,

crying for help, hoping for a word from you.

I stayed awake all night,

prayerfully pondering your promise.

In your love, listen to me;

in your justice,God, keep me alive.

As those out to get me come closer and closer,

they go farther and farther from the truth you reveal;

But you’re the closest of all to me,God,

and all your judgments true.

I’ve known all along from the evidence of your words

that you meant them to last forever.

153-160 Take a good look at my trouble, and help me—

I haven’t forgotten your revelation.

Take my side and get me out of this;

give me back my life, just as you promised.

“Salvation” is only gibberish to the wicked

because they’ve never looked it up in your dictionary.

Your mercies,God, run into the billions;

following your guidelines, revive me.

My antagonists are too many to count,

but I don’t swerve from the directions you gave.

I took one look at the quitters and was filled with loathing;

they walked away from your promises so casually!

Take note of how I love what you tell me;

out of your life of love, prolong my life.

Your words all add up to the sum total: Truth.

Your righteous decisions are eternal.

161-168 I’ve been slandered unmercifully by the politicians,

but my awe at your words keeps me stable.

I’m ecstatic over what you say,

like one who strikes it rich.

I hate lies—can’t stand them!—

but I love what you have revealed.

Seven times each day I stop and shout praises

for the way you keep everything running right.

For those who love what you reveal, everything fits—

no stumbling around in the dark for them.

I wait expectantly for your salvation;

God, I do what you tell me.

My soul guards and keeps all your instructions—

oh, how much I love them!

I follow your directions, abide by your counsel;

my life’s an open book before you.

169-176 Let my cry come right into your presence,God;

provide me with the insight that comes only from your Word.

Give my request your personal attention,

rescue me on the terms of your promise.

Let praise cascade off my lips;

after all, you’ve taught me the truth about life!

And let your promises ring from my tongue;

every order you’ve given is right.

Put your hand out and steady me

since I’ve chosen to live by your counsel.

I’m homesick,God, for your salvation;

I love it when you show yourself!

Invigorate my soul so I can praise you well,

use your decrees to put iron in my soul.

And should I wander off like a lost sheep—seek me!

I’ll recognize the sound of your voice.

—https://d1b84921e69nmq.cloudfront.net/85/32k/PSA/119-34d95d78c7cd38579d45eff44f3a241d.mp3?version_id=97—

A Pilgrim Song

1-2 I’m in trouble. I cry toGod,

desperate for an answer:

“Deliver me from the liars,God!

They smile so sweetly but lie through their teeth.”

3-4 Do you know what’s next, can you see what’s coming,

all you barefaced liars?

Pointed arrows and burning coals

will be your reward.

5-7 I’m doomed to live in Meshech,

cursed with a home in Kedar,

My whole life lived camping

among quarreling neighbors.

I’m all for peace, but the minute

I tell them so, they go to war!

—https://d1b84921e69nmq.cloudfront.net/85/32k/PSA/120-9081bda4985cfaecec6abeb31db5a594.mp3?version_id=97—

A Pilgrim Song

1-2 I look up to the mountains;

does my strength come from mountains?

No, my strength comes fromGod,

who made heaven, and earth, and mountains.

3-4 He won’t let you stumble,

your Guardian God won’t fall asleep.

Not on your life! Israel’s

Guardian will never doze or sleep.

5-6 God’s your Guardian,

right at your side to protect you—

Shielding you from sunstroke,

sheltering you from moonstroke.

7-8 Godguards you from every evil,

he guards your very life.

He guards you when you leave and when you return,

he guards you now, he guards you always.

—https://d1b84921e69nmq.cloudfront.net/85/32k/PSA/121-30f0ceb84de025e1b87a4d465ea415ac.mp3?version_id=97—

A Pilgrim Song of David

1-2 When they said, “Let’s go to the house ofGod,”

my heart leaped for joy.

And now we’re here, O Jerusalem,

inside Jerusalem’s walls!

3-5 Jerusalem, well-built city,

built as a place for worship!

The city to which the tribes ascend,

allGod’s tribes go up to worship,

To give thanks to the name ofGod—

thisis what it means to be Israel.

Thrones for righteous judgment

are set there, famous David-thrones.

6-9 Pray for Jerusalem’s peace!

Prosperity to all you Jerusalem-lovers!

Friendly insiders, get along!

Hostile outsiders, keep your distance!

For the sake of my family and friends,

I say it again: live in peace!

For the sake of the house of our God,God,

I’ll do my very best for you.

—https://d1b84921e69nmq.cloudfront.net/85/32k/PSA/122-e3e2340c5e7a482fa99ccc6ad47c7631.mp3?version_id=97—

A Pilgrim Song

1-4 I look to you, heaven-dwelling God,

look up to you for help.

Like servants, alert to their master’s commands,

like a maiden attending her lady,

We’re watching and waiting, holding our breath,

awaiting your word of mercy.

Mercy,God, mercy!

We’ve been kicked around long enough,

Kicked in the teeth by complacent rich men,

kicked when we’re down by arrogant brutes.

—https://d1b84921e69nmq.cloudfront.net/85/32k/PSA/123-686a06b283878d63bc7486644a525a74.mp3?version_id=97—

A Pilgrim Song of David

1-5 IfGodhadn’t been for us

—all together now, Israel, sing out!—

IfGodhadn’t been for us

when everyone went against us,

We would have been swallowed alive

by their violent anger,

Swept away by the flood of rage,

drowned in the torrent;

We would have lost our lives

in the wild, raging water.

6 Oh, blessed beGod!

He didn’t go off and leave us.

He didn’t abandon us defenseless,

helpless as a rabbit in a pack of snarling dogs.

7 We’ve flown free from their fangs,

free of their traps, free as a bird.

Their grip is broken;

we’re free as a bird in flight.

8 God’s strong name is our help,

the sameGodwho made heaven and earth.

—https://d1b84921e69nmq.cloudfront.net/85/32k/PSA/124-9edd3cfb5ea19f14f3c27470fd95b8da.mp3?version_id=97—

A Pilgrim Song

1-5 Those who trust inGod

are like Zion Mountain:

Nothing can move it, a rock-solid mountain

you can always depend on.

Mountains encircle Jerusalem,

andGodencircles his people—

always has and always will.

The fist of the wicked

will never violate

What is due the righteous,

provoking wrongful violence.

Be good to your good people,God,

to those whose hearts are right!

Godwill round up the backsliders,

corral them with the incorrigibles.

Peace over Israel!

—https://d1b84921e69nmq.cloudfront.net/85/32k/PSA/125-0c611dd5b50968a354a864f1fc6f4986.mp3?version_id=97—

A Pilgrim Song

1-3 It seemed like a dream, too good to be true,

whenGodreturned Zion’s exiles.

We laughed, we sang,

we couldn’t believe our good fortune.

We were the talk of the nations—

“Godwas wonderful to them!”

Godwaswonderful to us;

we are one happy people.

4-6 And now,God, do it again—

bring rains to our drought-stricken lives

So those who planted their crops in despair

will shout hurrahs at the harvest,

So those who went off with heavy hearts

will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing.

—https://d1b84921e69nmq.cloudfront.net/85/32k/PSA/126-72f11b3c924232ad843f2a56fa58f6b9.mp3?version_id=97—