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Psalms 78

Amplified Bible, 2015 (AMP)

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¹ Our help is in the name of the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.

² A Song of[1] Ascents. Those who trust in and rely on the LORD [with confident expectation] Are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but remains forever.

³ As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the LORD surrounds His people From this time forth and forever.

⁴ For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land of the righteous, So that the righteous will not reach out their hands to do wrong.

⁵ Do good, O LORD, to those who are good And to those who are upright in their hearts.

⁶ But as for those who turn aside to their crooked ways [in unresponsiveness to God], The LORD will lead them away with those who do evil. Peace be upon Israel.

⁷ A Song of[1] Ascents. When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion (Jerusalem), We were like those who dream [it seemed so unreal].

⁸ Then our mouth was filled with laughter And our tongue with joyful shouting; Then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."

⁹ The LORD has done great things for us; We are glad!

¹⁰ Restore our[2] captivity, O LORD, As the stream-beds in the South (the Negev) [are restored by torrents of rain].

¹¹ They who sow in tears shall reap with joyful singing.

¹² He who goes back and forth weeping, carrying his bag of seed [for planting], Will indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.

¹³ A Song of[1] Ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.

¹⁴ It is vain for you to rise early, To retire late, To eat the bread of anxious labors— For He gives [blessings] to His beloved even in his sleep.

¹⁵ Behold, children are a heritage and gift from the LORD, The fruit of the womb a reward.

¹⁶ Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth.

¹⁷ How blessed [happy and fortunate] is the man whose quiver is filled with them; They will not be ashamed When they speak with their enemies [in gatherings] at the [city] gate.

¹⁸ A Song of[1] Ascents. Blessed [happy and sheltered by God's favor] is everyone who fears the LORD [and worships Him with obedience], Who walks in His ways and lives according to His commandments.

¹⁹ For you shall eat the fruit of [the labor of] your hands, You will be happy and blessed and it will be well with you.

²⁰ Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine Within the innermost part of your house; Your children will be like olive plants Around your table.

²¹ Behold, for so shall the man be blessed and divinely favored Who fears the LORD [and worships Him with obedience].

²² May the LORD bless you from Zion [His holy mountain], And may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life;

²³ Indeed, may you see your [family perpetuated in your] children's children. Peace be upon Israel!

²⁴ A Song of[1] Ascents. "Many times they have persecuted me (Israel) from my youth," Let Israel now say,

²⁵ "Many times they have persecuted me from my youth, Yet they have not prevailed against me.

²⁶ "The [enemies, like] plowers plowed on my back; They made their furrows [of suffering] long [in Israel]."

²⁷ The LORD is righteous; He has cut in two the [thick] cords of the wicked [which enslaved the people of Israel].

²⁸ May all who hate Zion Be put to shame and turned backward [in defeat].

²⁹ Let them be like the grass on the housetops, Which withers before it grows up,

³⁰ With which the reaper does not fill his hand, Nor the binder of sheaves his arms,

³¹ Nor do those who pass by say, "The blessing of the LORD be upon you; We bless you in the name of the LORD."

³² A Song of[1] Ascents. Out of the[2] depths [of distress] I have cried to You, O LORD.

³³ Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive To the voice of my supplications.

³⁴ If You, LORD, should keep an account of our sins and treat us accordingly, O Lord, who could stand [before you in judgment and claim innocence]?

³⁵ But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared and worshiped [with submissive wonder].

³⁶ I wait [patiently] for the LORD, my soul [expectantly] waits, And in His word do I hope.

³⁷ My soul waits for the Lord More than the watchmen for the morning; More than the watchmen for the morning.

³⁸ O Israel, hope in the LORD; For with the LORD there is lovingkindness, And with Him is abundant redemption.

³⁹ And He will redeem Israel From all his sins.

⁴⁰ A Song of[1] Ascents. Of David. LORD, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; Nor do I involve myself in great matters, Or in things too difficult for me.

⁴¹ Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child [resting] with his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me [composed and freed from discontent].

⁴² O Israel, hope in the LORD From this time forth and forever.

⁴³ A Song of[1] Ascents. O LORD, remember on David's behalf All his hardship and affliction;

⁴⁴ How he swore to the LORD And vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob:

⁴⁵ "I absolutely will not enter my house, Nor get into my bed—

⁴⁶ I certainly will not permit my eyes to sleep Nor my eyelids to slumber,

⁴⁷ Until I find a place for the LORD, A dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob (Israel)."

⁴⁸ Behold, we heard of it at Ephrathah; We found it in the field of Jaar.

⁴⁹ Let us go into His tabernacle; Let us worship at His footstool.

⁵⁰ Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place, You and the ark [the symbol] of Your strength.

⁵¹ Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness (right living), And let Your godly ones shout for joy.

⁵² For the sake of Your servant David, Do not turn away the face of Your anointed.

⁵³ The LORD swore to David A truth from which He will not turn back: "One of your[2] descendants I will set upon your throne.

⁵⁴ "If your children will keep My covenant And My testimony which I will teach them, Their children also shall sit upon your throne forever."

⁵⁵ For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place:

⁵⁶ "This is My resting place forever" [says the LORD]; "Here will I dwell, for I have desired it.

⁵⁷ "I will abundantly bless her provisions; I will satisfy her poor with bread.

⁵⁸ "Her priests also I will clothe with salvation, And her godly ones will shout aloud for joy.

⁵⁹ "There I will make the horn (strength) of David grow; I have prepared a lamp for My anointed [fulfilling the promises].

⁶⁰ "His enemies I will clothe with shame, But upon himself shall his crown shine."

⁶¹ A Song of[1] Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!

⁶² It is like the precious oil [of consecration] poured on the head, Coming down on the beard, Even the beard of Aaron, Coming down upon the edge of his [priestly] robes [consecrating the whole body].

⁶³ It is like the dew of [Mount] Hermon Coming down on the hills of Zion; For there the LORD has commanded the blessing: life forevermore.

⁶⁴ A Song of[1] Ascents. Behold, bless and praise the LORD, all servants of the LORD (priests, Levites), Who stand and serve by night in the house of the LORD.

⁶⁵ Lift up your hands to the sanctuary And bless the LORD.

⁶⁶ May the LORD bless you from Zion, He who made heaven and earth.

⁶⁷ Praise the LORD! (Hallelujah!) Praise the name of the LORD; Praise Him, O servants of the LORD (priests, Levites),

⁶⁸ You who stand in the house of the LORD, In the courts of the house of our God,

⁶⁹ Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; Sing praises to His name, for it is gracious and lovely.

⁷⁰ For the LORD has chosen [the descendants of] Jacob for Himself, Israel for His own special treasure and possession.

⁷¹ For I know that the LORD is great And that our Lord is above all gods.

⁷² Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, In the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all deeps—

#	AMP
1	Our help is in the name of the LORD, Who made heaven and earth.
2	A Song of[1] Ascents. Those who trust in and rely on the LORD [with confident expectation] Are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved but remains forever.
3	As the mountains surround Jerusalem, So the LORD surrounds His people From this time forth and forever.
4	For the scepter of wickedness shall not rest on the land of the righteous, So that the righteous will not reach out their hands to do wrong.
5	Do good, O LORD, to those who are good And to those who are upright in their hearts.
6	But as for those who turn aside to their crooked ways [in unresponsiveness to God], The LORD will lead them away with those who do evil. Peace be upon Israel.
7	A Song of[1] Ascents. When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion (Jerusalem), We were like those who dream [it seemed so unreal].
8	Then our mouth was filled with laughter And our tongue with joyful shouting; Then they said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."
9	The LORD has done great things for us; We are glad!
10	Restore our[2] captivity, O LORD, As the stream-beds in the South (the Negev) [are restored by torrents of rain].
11	They who sow in tears shall reap with joyful singing.
12	He who goes back and forth weeping, carrying his bag of seed [for planting], Will indeed come again with a shout of joy, bringing his sheaves with him.
13	A Song of[1] Ascents. Of Solomon. Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it; Unless the LORD guards the city, The watchman keeps awake in vain.
14	It is vain for you to rise early, To retire late, To eat the bread of anxious labors— For He gives [blessings] to His beloved even in his sleep.
15	Behold, children are a heritage and gift from the LORD, The fruit of the womb a reward.
16	Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, So are the children of one's youth.
17	How blessed [happy and fortunate] is the man whose quiver is filled with them; They will not be ashamed When they speak with their enemies [in gatherings] at the [city] gate.
18	A Song of[1] Ascents. Blessed [happy and sheltered by God's favor] is everyone who fears the LORD [and worships Him with obedience], Who walks in His ways and lives according to His commandments.
19	For you shall eat the fruit of [the labor of] your hands, You will be happy and blessed and it will be well with you.
20	Your wife shall be like a fruitful vine Within the innermost part of your house; Your children will be like olive plants Around your table.
21	Behold, for so shall the man be blessed and divinely favored Who fears the LORD [and worships Him with obedience].
22	May the LORD bless you from Zion [His holy mountain], And may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem all the days of your life;
23	Indeed, may you see your [family perpetuated in your] children's children. Peace be upon Israel!
24	A Song of[1] Ascents. "Many times they have persecuted me (Israel) from my youth," Let Israel now say,
25	"Many times they have persecuted me from my youth, Yet they have not prevailed against me.
26	"The [enemies, like] plowers plowed on my back; They made their furrows [of suffering] long [in Israel]."
27	The LORD is righteous; He has cut in two the [thick] cords of the wicked [which enslaved the people of Israel].
28	May all who hate Zion Be put to shame and turned backward [in defeat].
29	Let them be like the grass on the housetops, Which withers before it grows up,
30	With which the reaper does not fill his hand, Nor the binder of sheaves his arms,
31	Nor do those who pass by say, "The blessing of the LORD be upon you; We bless you in the name of the LORD."
32	A Song of[1] Ascents. Out of the[2] depths [of distress] I have cried to You, O LORD.
33	Lord, hear my voice! Let Your ears be attentive To the voice of my supplications.
34	If You, LORD, should keep an account of our sins and treat us accordingly, O Lord, who could stand [before you in judgment and claim innocence]?
35	But there is forgiveness with You, That You may be feared and worshiped [with submissive wonder].
36	I wait [patiently] for the LORD, my soul [expectantly] waits, And in His word do I hope.
37	My soul waits for the Lord More than the watchmen for the morning; More than the watchmen for the morning.
38	O Israel, hope in the LORD; For with the LORD there is lovingkindness, And with Him is abundant redemption.
39	And He will redeem Israel From all his sins.
40	A Song of[1] Ascents. Of David. LORD, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes haughty; Nor do I involve myself in great matters, Or in things too difficult for me.
41	Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul; Like a weaned child [resting] with his mother, My soul is like a weaned child within me [composed and freed from discontent].
42	O Israel, hope in the LORD From this time forth and forever.
43	A Song of[1] Ascents. O LORD, remember on David's behalf All his hardship and affliction;
44	How he swore to the LORD And vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob:
45	"I absolutely will not enter my house, Nor get into my bed—
46	I certainly will not permit my eyes to sleep Nor my eyelids to slumber,
47	Until I find a place for the LORD, A dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob (Israel)."
48	Behold, we heard of it at Ephrathah; We found it in the field of Jaar.
49	Let us go into His tabernacle; Let us worship at His footstool.
50	Arise, O LORD, to Your resting place, You and the ark [the symbol] of Your strength.
51	Let Your priests be clothed with righteousness (right living), And let Your godly ones shout for joy.
52	For the sake of Your servant David, Do not turn away the face of Your anointed.
53	The LORD swore to David A truth from which He will not turn back: "One of your[2] descendants I will set upon your throne.
54	"If your children will keep My covenant And My testimony which I will teach them, Their children also shall sit upon your throne forever."
55	For the LORD has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His dwelling place:
56	"This is My resting place forever" [says the LORD]; "Here will I dwell, for I have desired it.
57	"I will abundantly bless her provisions; I will satisfy her poor with bread.
58	"Her priests also I will clothe with salvation, And her godly ones will shout aloud for joy.
59	"There I will make the horn (strength) of David grow; I have prepared a lamp for My anointed [fulfilling the promises].
60	"His enemies I will clothe with shame, But upon himself shall his crown shine."
61	A Song of[1] Ascents. Of David. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brothers to dwell together in unity!
62	It is like the precious oil [of consecration] poured on the head, Coming down on the beard, Even the beard of Aaron, Coming down upon the edge of his [priestly] robes [consecrating the whole body].
63	It is like the dew of [Mount] Hermon Coming down on the hills of Zion; For there the LORD has commanded the blessing: life forevermore.
64	A Song of[1] Ascents. Behold, bless and praise the LORD, all servants of the LORD (priests, Levites), Who stand and serve by night in the house of the LORD.
65	Lift up your hands to the sanctuary And bless the LORD.
66	May the LORD bless you from Zion, He who made heaven and earth.
67	Praise the LORD! (Hallelujah!) Praise the name of the LORD; Praise Him, O servants of the LORD (priests, Levites),
68	You who stand in the house of the LORD, In the courts of the house of our God,
69	Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; Sing praises to His name, for it is gracious and lovely.
70	For the LORD has chosen [the descendants of] Jacob for Himself, Israel for His own special treasure and possession.
71	For I know that the LORD is great And that our Lord is above all gods.
72	Whatever the LORD pleases, He does, In the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all deeps—

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