Psalms 8:1--9:19

Psalm 8

For the music director, according to the gittith style; a psalm of David.

8:1 O Lord, our Lord,

how magnificent is your reputation throughout the earth!

You reveal your majesty in the heavens above!

8:2 From the mouths of children and nursing babies

you have ordained praise on account of your adversaries,

so that you might put an end to the vindictive enemy.

8:3 When I look up at the heavens, which your fingers made,

and see the moon and the stars, which you set in place,

8:4 Of what importance is the human race, that you should notice them?

Of what importance is mankind, that you should pay attention to them,

8:5 and make them a little less than the heavenly beings?

You grant mankind honor and majesty;

8:6 you appoint them to rule over your creation;

you have placed everything under their authority,

8:7 including all the sheep and cattle,

as well as the wild animals,

8:8 the birds in the sky, the fish in the sea

and everything that moves through the currents of the seas.

8:9 O Lord, our Lord,

how magnificent is your reputation throughout the earth!

Psalm 9

For the music director; according to the alumoth-labben style; a psalm of David.

9:1 I will thank the Lord with all my heart!

I will tell about all your amazing deeds!

9:2 I will be happy and rejoice in you!

I will sing praises to you, O sovereign One!

9:3 When my enemies turn back,

they trip and are defeated before you.

9:4 For you defended my just cause;

from your throne you pronounced a just decision.

9:5 You terrified the nations with your battle cry;

you destroyed the wicked;

you permanently wiped out all memory of them.

9:6 The enemy’s cities have been reduced to permanent ruins;

you destroyed their cities;

all memory of the enemies has perished.

9:7 But the Lord rules forever;

he reigns in a just manner.

9:8 He judges the world fairly;

he makes just legal decisions for the nations.

9:9 Consequently the Lord provides safety for the oppressed;

he provides safety in times of trouble.

9:10 Your loyal followers trust in you,

for you, Lord, do not abandon those who seek your help.

9:11 Sing praises to the Lord, who rules in Zion!

Tell the nations what he has done!

9:12 For the one who takes revenge against murderers took notice of the oppressed;

he did not overlook their cry for help

9:13 when they prayed:

“Have mercy on me, Lord!

See how I am oppressed by those who hate me,

O one who can snatch me away from the gates of death!

9:14 Then I will tell about all your praiseworthy acts;

in the gates of Daughter Zion I will rejoice because of your deliverance.”

9:15 The nations fell into the pit they had made;

their feet were caught in the net they had hidden.

9:16 The Lord revealed himself;

he accomplished justice;

the wicked were ensnared by their own actions. (Higgaion. Selah)

9:17 The wicked are turned back and sent to Sheol;

this is the destiny of all the nations that ignore God,

9:18 for the needy are not permanently ignored,

the hopes of the oppressed are not forever dashed.

9:19 Rise up, Lord!

Don’t let men be defiant!

May the nations be judged in your presence!