Month: July 2023

Psalm 128

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem

“How joyful are those who fear the Lord – all who follow His ways! You will enjoy the fruit of your labor. How joyful an prosperous you will be! Your wife will be like a fruitful grapevine, flourishing within your home. Your children will be like vigorous young olive trees as they sit around your table. That is the Lord’s blessing for those who fear Him.

May the Lord continually bless you from Zion. May you see Jerusalem prosper as long as you live. May you live to enjoy your grandchildren . May Israel have peace!”

Psalm 127

A song for pilgrims ascendant to Jerusalem. A psalm of Solomon.

“Unless the Lord builds a house, the work of the builders is wasted. Unless the Lord protects a city, guarding it with sentries will do no good. It is useless for you to work so hard from early morning until later at night, anxiously working for foot to eat; for God gives rest to His loved ones.

Children are a gift from the Lord, they are a reward for Him. Children born to a young man are likes arrows in a warriors hands. How joyful is the man whose quiet is full of them! He will not be put to shame when he confronts his accusers at the city gates.”

Psalm 126

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem

“When the Lord brought back His exiles to Jerusalem, it was like a dream! We were filled with laughter, and we sang for joy. And the other nations said, ‘What amazing things the lord has done for them.’ Yes the Lord has done amazing things for us! What joy!

Restore our fortunes, Lord, as streams renew in the desert. Those who plant in tears will harvest with shouts of joy. They weep as they go to plant their seed, but they sing as they return with the harvest.”

Psalm 125

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem

“Those who trust in the Lord are as secure as Mount Zion; they will not be defeated but will endure forever. Just as the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people, both now and forever.

The wicked will not rule the land of the godly, for then the godly might be tempted and do wrong. O Lord, do good to those who are good, whose hearts are in tune with You. Banish those who turn to crooked ways, O Lord. Take them away with those who do evil.

May Israel have peace!”

Psalm 121

A song for pilgrims ascending to Jerusalem.

“I look up to the mountains – does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!

He will not let you stumble; the One who watches over you will not slumber. Indeed, He who watches over Israel neither slumbers or sleeps.

The Lord Himself watches over you! The Lord stands beside you as your protective shade. The sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon at night.

The Lord keeps you from all harm and watches over your life. The Lord keeps watch over your as you come and go, both now and forever.”

Psalm 119, last section -Taw

“O Lord, listen to my cry; give me the discerning mind You promised. Listen to my prayer; rescue me as You promised. Let raise from from my lips, for You have taught me Your decrees. Let my tongue sing about Your word, for all Your commands are right. Give me a helping hand, for I have chosen to follow Your commandments.

O Lord, I have longed for Your rescue, and Your instructions are my delight. Let me live so I can praise You, and may Your regulations help me. I have wandered away like lost sheep; com and find me, for I have not forgotten Your commands.”

Psalm 119, Section of Shin

“Powerful people harass me without cause, but my heart trembles only at Your word. I rejoice in Your word like one who discovers a great treasure. I hate and abhor all falsehood, but I love Your instructions. I will praise You seven times a day because all Your regulations are just. Those who love Your instructions have great peace and do not stumble. I long for Your rescue, Lord, so I have obeyed Your commands. I have obeyed Your laws for I love them very much. Yes, I obey Your commandments and laws because You know everything I do.”

Psalm 119 Section Resh

“Look upon my suffering and rescue me, for I have not forgotten your instructions. Argue my case; take my side! Protect my life as you promised. The wicked are far from rescue, for they do not bother with your decrees. Lord, how great is Your mercy; let me be revived by following Your regulations. Many persecute and trouble me, yet I have not swerved from Your laws. Seeing these traitors make me sick at heart, because they care nothing for Your Word. Give back my life because of Your unfailing love. The very essence of Your words is truth; all Your just regulations will stand forever.”

Psalm 119, Section of Qoph

“I pray with all my heart; answer me, Lord! I will obey Your decrees. I cry out to You; rescue me, that I may obey Your laws.

I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in Your words. I say awake through the night, thinking about Your promise. In Your faithful love, O Lord, hear my cry; let me be revived by following Your regulations.

Lawless people are coming to attack me; the live far from Your instructions. But You are near, O Lord, and all Your commands are true. I have know from my earliest days that Your laws are forever.”

Psalm 119, Section of Tsadhe

“O Lord, You are righteous, and Your regulations are fair. Your laws are perfect and completely trustworthy. I am overwhelmed with indignation, for my enemies have disregarded Your words.

Your promises have been thoroughly tested; that is why I love them so much. I am insignificant and despised, but I don’t forget Your eternal commandments. Your justice is eternal, and Your instructions are perfectly true.

“As pressure and stress bear down on me, I find joy in Your commands. Your laws are always right; help me to understand them so I may live.”