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God Saved Israel from Egypt

A ·maskil [skillful psalm; meditation] of Asaph [C a Levitical musician, a descendant of Gershon, at the time of David; 1 Chr. 6:39; 15:17; 2 Chr. 5:12].

78 My people, ·listen [give ear] to my ·teaching [instruction; law];
    ·listen [L incline your ear] to ·what I say [L the words of my mouth].
I will ·speak [L open my mouth] ·using stories [L with a proverb/parable];
    I will ·tell [expound] ·secret things [L riddles] from long ago [C the past contains lessons for the present generation].
We have heard them and known them
    by what our ·ancestors [fathers] have ·told [recounted to] us.
We will not ·keep [hide] them from our children;
    we will ·tell [recount them to] ·those who come later [a later generation]
    about the praises of the Lord.
We will tell about his power
    and the ·miracles [wonderful acts] he has done.

The Lord ·made an agreement [established a decree/testimony] with Jacob
    and gave the ·teachings [instructions; laws] to Israel [Ex. 19–24],
which he commanded our ·ancestors [fathers]
    to ·teach [make known] to their children [Deut. 6:6–9, 20–22].
Then ·their children [L the later generation] would know them,
    even their children not yet born.
    And they would ·tell [L rise up and recount them to] their children.
So they would ·all trust [L place their trust/confidence in] God
    and would not forget what he had done
    but would ·obey [protect] his commands.
They would not be like their ·ancestors [fathers]
    who were ·stubborn and disobedient [L a stubborn and rebellious generation].
Their hearts were not ·loyal [steadfast; L set] to God,
    and they were not ·true [faithful] to him [Deut. 9:6–7, 13, 24; 31:27; 32:5; Acts 2:40].

The men of Ephraim ·had bows for weapons [L were armed for shooting the bow],
    but they ·ran away [turned back] on the day of battle [C perhaps 1 Sam. 4:1–4 or 1 Sam. 28–31].
10 They didn’t ·keep [observe; guard] their ·agreement [covenant; treaty] with God
    and refused to ·live [L walk] by his ·teachings [instructions; laws].
11 They forgot what he had done
    and the ·miracles [wonderful acts] he had shown them.
12 He did ·miracles [wonderful acts] while their ·ancestors [fathers] watched,
    in the fields of Zoan [C a city in the Nile Delta also known as Tanis] in Egypt [C the plagues; Ex. 7–12].
13 He divided the ·Red Sea [L Sea; C probably a lake north of the Gulf of Suez] and led them through [Ex. 14–15].
    He made the water stand up like a ·wall [or heap; Ex. 15:8].
14 He led them with a cloud by day
    and by the light of a fire by night [105:39; Ex. 13:21; Num. 10:34].
15 He split the rocks in the ·desert [wilderness]
    and gave them more ·than enough water, as if from the deep ocean [L water, as much as the deeps].
16 He brought streams out of the rock
    and caused water to flow down like rivers [Ex. 17:6; Num. 20:8; 1 Cor. 10:4].

17 But the people continued to sin against him;
    in the ·desert [wasteland; wilderness] they ·turned [rebelled] against God Most High.
18 They ·decided to test God [L tested God in their hearts]
    by asking for the food ·they wanted [L for their appetite].
19 Then they spoke against God,
    saying, “Can God prepare ·food [L a table] in the ·desert [wilderness]?
20 When he ·hit [L struck] the rock, water ·poured out [gushed]
    and rivers flowed down.
But can he give us bread also?
    Will he provide his people with meat [Ex. 16]?”
21 When the Lord heard them, he was very angry.
    ·His anger was like fire to the people of [L A fire was ignited against] Jacob;
    his anger ·grew against the people of [L rose up against] Israel [Num. 11].
22 They had not ·believed [trusted; been faithful to] God
    and had not ·trusted [put confidence in] him to ·save them [give them victory].
23 But he gave a command to the clouds above
    and opened the doors of heaven.
24 He rained manna down on them to eat;
    he gave them grain from heaven.
25 So they ate the bread of ·angels [L strong ones].
    He sent them all the food they could eat.
26 He sent the east wind from heaven
    and ·led [guided] the south wind by his power.
27 He rained meat on them like dust.
    The birds were as many as the sand of the sea.
28 He made the birds fall inside the camp,
    all around the ·tents [L residences].
29 So the people ate and became very ·full [satisfied; satiated].
    God had given them what they ·wanted [desired].
30 While ·they were still eating [L their desire had not turned aside],
    and while the food was still in their mouths,
31 ·God became angry with them [L the anger of God came up on them].
    He killed some of the ·healthiest [most robust; sturdiest] of them;
he ·struck down [laid low] the best young men of Israel.

32 But they kept on sinning;
    they did not believe even with the ·miracles [wonderful acts].
33 So he ended their days without ·meaning [purpose; Eccl. 1:2]
    and their years in terror.
34 Anytime he killed them, they would ·look to him for help [seek him];
    they would ·come back to God [repent] and ·follow [be intent on] him.
35 They would remember that God was their Rock [C the one who protected them],
    that God Most High had ·saved [redeemed] them.
36 But ·their words were false [L they deceived/or flattered him with their mouths],
    and with their tongues they lied to him.
37 Their hearts were not really ·loyal to [steadfast toward] God;
    they ·did not keep [were not faithful to] his ·agreement [covenant].
38 Still God was ·merciful [compassionate].
    He ·forgave their sins [made atonement for their guilt]
    and did not destroy them.
Many times he held back his anger
    and did not stir up all his ·anger [wrath].
39 He remembered that they were ·only human [flesh; 38:3; 56:4; 103:14–15; Gen. 6:3; Is. 2:22],
    like a wind that blows and does not come back.

40 They ·turned [rebelled] against God so often in the ·desert [wilderness]
    and grieved him ·there [L in the wasteland].
41 Again and again they tested God
    and ·brought pain to [provoked] the Holy One of Israel.
42 They did not remember his ·power [L hand]
    or the ·time [L day] he ·saved [ransomed] them from the ·enemy [foe].
43 They forgot the signs he did in Egypt
    and his wonders in the fields of Zoan [v. 12].
44 He turned their rivers to blood
    so no one could drink ·the water [L from their streams; 105:29; Ex. 7:17–20; Rev. 16:4].
45 He sent flies that ·bit [L consumed] the people [Ex. 8:20–32].
    He sent frogs that destroyed them [Ex. 7:25—8:15].
46 He gave their crops to grasshoppers
    and ·what they worked for [L their labor] to locusts [Ex. 10:1–20].
47 He ·destroyed [L killed] their vines with hail
    and their ·sycamore [or fig] trees with ·sleet [or frost; or floods; Ex. 9:13–35].
48 He ·killed their animals with [L handed over their beasts to the] hail
    and their cattle with lightning [Ex. 9:1–7].
49 He ·showed [L sent against] them his hot anger.
    He sent his strong anger against them,
    his ·destroying angels [or messengers of evil/harm].
50 He ·found a way to show [L made a path for] his anger.
    He did not ·keep them from dying [L hold back their lives from death]
    but ·let them die by a terrible disease [L handed their lives over to plague].
51 God ·killed [L struck] all the firstborn sons in Egypt [Ex. 12],
    the ·oldest son of each family [L first of their virility in the tents] of Ham [C the ancestor of the Egyptians; Gen. 10:6].
52 But God led his people out like sheep
    and he guided them like a flock through the ·desert [wilderness].
53 He led them to safety so they had nothing to fear,
    but ·their enemies drowned in the sea [L the sea covered their enemies].
54 So God brought them to his holy ·land [L boundary],
    to the mountain country ·he took with his own power [L his hand acquired].
55 He ·forced out [dispossessed before them] the other nations,
    and he ·had his people inherit the land [L alloted the land as an inheritance].
He let the tribes of Israel settle there in tents.

56 But they tested God
    and ·turned [rebelled] against God Most High;
    they did not ·keep [observe; guard] his ·rules [decrees; testimonies].
57 They ·turned away [recoiled] and were disloyal just like their ·ancestors [fathers].
They ·were like [turned into] a ·crooked bow that does not shoot straight [slack bow; C unreliable and ineffective].
58 They made God angry ·by building places to worship gods [L with their high places; C worship sites associated with pagan worship or inappropriate worship of God; Deut. 12:2–3];
    they made him jealous with their idols.
59 When God heard them, he became very angry
    and rejected the people of Israel completely.
60 He ·left [cast off] his dwelling at Shiloh,
    the Tent where he lived among the people.
61 He let his ·Power [Strength; C the Ark] be captured;
    he let his ·glory [beauty; C the Ark] be taken by ·enemies [L the hand of the foe; 1 Sam. 4–5].
62 He ·let his people be killed [L handed his people over to the sword];
    he was very angry with his ·children [L inheritance].
63 The young men ·died [L were consumed] by fire,
    and the young women ·had no one to marry [had no wedding songs; or could not sing a lament for them].
64 Their priests fell by the sword [1 Sam. 4:12–22],
    but their widows were not allowed to cry.

65 Then the Lord ·got up [awoke] as if he had been asleep;
    ·he awoke like a man [L like a soldier] who had been ·drunk with [shouting/singing because of] wine.
66 He struck ·down [L back] his enemies
    and ·disgraced them forever [L placed on them eternal scorn/reproach].
67 But God rejected the ·family [L tent] of Joseph [C the tribe of Ephraim];
    he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim [C the most important northern tribe, here representing the house of Saul].
68 Instead, he chose the tribe of Judah
    and Mount Zion [C the location of the Temple], which he loves.
69 And he built his ·Temple [sanctuary; Holy Place] ·high like the mountains [or like the high heavens].
    Like the earth, ·he built it to last [L its foundations are] forever.
70 He chose David to be his servant
    and took him from the sheep pens.
71 He brought him from tending the ·sheep [L ewes]
    so he could ·lead the flock, [shepherd] the people of Jacob,
    his ·own people [inheritance], the people of Israel.
72 And David ·led [shepherded] them with an ·innocent [blameless] heart
    and guided them with skillful hands.

Psalm 78

A maskil[a] of Asaph.

My people, hear my teaching;(A)
    listen to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth with a parable;(B)
    I will utter hidden things, things from of old—
things we have heard and known,
    things our ancestors have told us.(C)
We will not hide them from their descendants;(D)
    we will tell the next generation(E)
the praiseworthy deeds(F) of the Lord,
    his power, and the wonders(G) he has done.
He decreed statutes(H) for Jacob(I)
    and established the law in Israel,
which he commanded our ancestors
    to teach their children,
so the next generation would know them,
    even the children yet to be born,(J)
    and they in turn would tell their children.
Then they would put their trust in God
    and would not forget(K) his deeds
    but would keep his commands.(L)
They would not be like their ancestors(M)
    a stubborn(N) and rebellious(O) generation,
whose hearts were not loyal to God,
    whose spirits were not faithful to him.

The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows,(P)
    turned back on the day of battle;(Q)
10 they did not keep God’s covenant(R)
    and refused to live by his law.(S)
11 They forgot what he had done,(T)
    the wonders he had shown them.
12 He did miracles(U) in the sight of their ancestors
    in the land of Egypt,(V) in the region of Zoan.(W)
13 He divided the sea(X) and led them through;
    he made the water stand up like a wall.(Y)
14 He guided them with the cloud by day
    and with light from the fire all night.(Z)
15 He split the rocks(AA) in the wilderness
    and gave them water as abundant as the seas;
16 he brought streams out of a rocky crag
    and made water flow down like rivers.

17 But they continued to sin(AB) against him,
    rebelling in the wilderness against the Most High.
18 They willfully put God to the test(AC)
    by demanding the food they craved.(AD)
19 They spoke against God;(AE)
    they said, “Can God really
    spread a table in the wilderness?
20 True, he struck the rock,
    and water gushed out,(AF)
    streams flowed abundantly,
but can he also give us bread?
    Can he supply meat(AG) for his people?”
21 When the Lord heard them, he was furious;
    his fire broke out(AH) against Jacob,
    and his wrath rose against Israel,
22 for they did not believe in God
    or trust(AI) in his deliverance.
23 Yet he gave a command to the skies above
    and opened the doors of the heavens;(AJ)
24 he rained down manna(AK) for the people to eat,
    he gave them the grain of heaven.
25 Human beings ate the bread of angels;
    he sent them all the food they could eat.
26 He let loose the east wind(AL) from the heavens
    and by his power made the south wind blow.
27 He rained meat down on them like dust,
    birds(AM) like sand on the seashore.
28 He made them come down inside their camp,
    all around their tents.
29 They ate till they were gorged—(AN)
    he had given them what they craved.
30 But before they turned from what they craved,
    even while the food was still in their mouths,(AO)
31 God’s anger rose against them;
    he put to death the sturdiest(AP) among them,
    cutting down the young men of Israel.

32 In spite of all this, they kept on sinning;(AQ)
    in spite of his wonders,(AR) they did not believe.(AS)
33 So he ended their days in futility(AT)
    and their years in terror.
34 Whenever God slew them, they would seek(AU) him;
    they eagerly turned to him again.
35 They remembered that God was their Rock,(AV)
    that God Most High was their Redeemer.(AW)
36 But then they would flatter him with their mouths,(AX)
    lying to him with their tongues;
37 their hearts were not loyal(AY) to him,
    they were not faithful to his covenant.
38 Yet he was merciful;(AZ)
    he forgave(BA) their iniquities(BB)
    and did not destroy them.
Time after time he restrained his anger(BC)
    and did not stir up his full wrath.
39 He remembered that they were but flesh,(BD)
    a passing breeze(BE) that does not return.

40 How often they rebelled(BF) against him in the wilderness(BG)
    and grieved him(BH) in the wasteland!
41 Again and again they put God to the test;(BI)
    they vexed the Holy One of Israel.(BJ)
42 They did not remember(BK) his power—
    the day he redeemed them from the oppressor,(BL)
43 the day he displayed his signs(BM) in Egypt,
    his wonders(BN) in the region of Zoan.
44 He turned their river into blood;(BO)
    they could not drink from their streams.
45 He sent swarms of flies(BP) that devoured them,
    and frogs(BQ) that devastated them.
46 He gave their crops to the grasshopper,(BR)
    their produce to the locust.(BS)
47 He destroyed their vines with hail(BT)
    and their sycamore-figs with sleet.
48 He gave over their cattle to the hail,
    their livestock(BU) to bolts of lightning.
49 He unleashed against them his hot anger,(BV)
    his wrath, indignation and hostility—
    a band of destroying angels.(BW)
50 He prepared a path for his anger;
    he did not spare them from death
    but gave them over to the plague.
51 He struck down all the firstborn of Egypt,(BX)
    the firstfruits of manhood in the tents of Ham.(BY)
52 But he brought his people out like a flock;(BZ)
    he led them like sheep through the wilderness.
53 He guided them safely, so they were unafraid;
    but the sea engulfed(CA) their enemies.(CB)
54 And so he brought them to the border of his holy land,
    to the hill country his right hand(CC) had taken.
55 He drove out nations(CD) before them
    and allotted their lands to them as an inheritance;(CE)
    he settled the tribes of Israel in their homes.

56 But they put God to the test
    and rebelled against the Most High;
    they did not keep his statutes.
57 Like their ancestors(CF) they were disloyal and faithless,
    as unreliable as a faulty bow.(CG)
58 They angered him(CH) with their high places;(CI)
    they aroused his jealousy with their idols.(CJ)
59 When God heard(CK) them, he was furious;(CL)
    he rejected Israel(CM) completely.
60 He abandoned the tabernacle of Shiloh,(CN)
    the tent he had set up among humans.(CO)
61 He sent the ark of his might(CP) into captivity,(CQ)
    his splendor into the hands of the enemy.
62 He gave his people over to the sword;(CR)
    he was furious with his inheritance.(CS)
63 Fire consumed(CT) their young men,
    and their young women had no wedding songs;(CU)
64 their priests were put to the sword,(CV)
    and their widows could not weep.

65 Then the Lord awoke as from sleep,(CW)
    as a warrior wakes from the stupor of wine.
66 He beat back his enemies;
    he put them to everlasting shame.(CX)
67 Then he rejected the tents of Joseph,
    he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim;(CY)
68 but he chose the tribe of Judah,(CZ)
    Mount Zion,(DA) which he loved.
69 He built his sanctuary(DB) like the heights,
    like the earth that he established forever.
70 He chose David(DC) his servant
    and took him from the sheep pens;
71 from tending the sheep(DD) he brought him
    to be the shepherd(DE) of his people Jacob,
    of Israel his inheritance.
72 And David shepherded them with integrity of heart;(DF)
    with skillful hands he led them.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 78:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term

God’s Love for Israel

105 Give thanks to the Lord and ·pray to him [L call on his name].
    ·Tell [L Make known among] the nations what he has done.
Sing to him; ·sing praises [make a psalm] to him.
    Tell about all his ·miracles [wonderful acts].
·Be glad that you are his [L Exult/Glory in his holy name];
    let ·those [L the heart of those] who seek the Lord ·be happy [rejoice].
·Depend on [Seek] the Lord and his strength;
    always ·go to him for help [L seek his face].
Remember the ·miracles [wonderful acts] he has done;
    remember his ·wonders [signs] and ·his decisions [L the judgments of his mouth].
You are ·descendants [L seed] of his servant Abraham [Gen. 12:1–3],
    the children of Jacob, his chosen people.
He is the Lord our God.
    His ·laws [justice; judgments] are for all the world.

He will ·keep [L remember] his ·agreement [covenant; treaty] forever;
    ·he will keep his promises always [L the word which he commanded, for a thousand generations].
He will keep the ·agreement [covenant; treaty] he ·made [L cut] with Abraham [Gen. 12:1–3; 17:23]
    and the ·promise [oath] he made to Isaac [Gen. 26:3–5].
10 He made it a ·law [statute; ordinance; requirement] for the people of Jacob;
    he made it an ·agreement [covenant; agreement] with Israel to last forever.
11 The Lord said, “I will give you the land of Canaan [Gen. 15:18],
    ·and it will belong to you [L as a portion of your inheritance].”

12 Then ·God’s people [L they] were few in number.
    They were ·strangers [sojourners; wanderers; resident aliens] in the land.
13 They went from one nation to another,
    from one kingdom to another.
14 But the Lord did not let anyone ·hurt [exploit; oppress] them;
    he warned kings ·not to harm them [L concerning them].
15 He said, “Don’t touch my ·chosen [anointed] people,
    and don’t harm my prophets.”

16 ·God [He] ·ordered [proclaimed] a ·time of hunger [famine] in the land,
    and he ·destroyed all the food [L broke every staff of bread; Gen. 41:54].
17 Then he sent a man ahead of them—
    Joseph, who was sold as a slave [Gen. 37; 45:5; 50:20].
18 They ·put chains around his feet [L afflicted his feet with chain]
    and an iron ·ring [collar] around his neck.
19 ·Then the time he had spoken of came,
    and the Lord’s words proved that Joseph was right [or Until the time he had spoken of came, the words of the Lord kept testing him].
20 The king [C of Egypt] sent for Joseph and ·freed [released] him;
    the ruler of the people set him free [Gen. 41:14, 40].
21 He made him the ·master [lord] of his house;
    Joseph was in charge of his riches [Acts 7:10].
22 He could ·order [bind] the princes as he wished.
    He taught the older men to be wise.
23 Then Israel [C another name for Jacob, Joseph’s father] came to Egypt;
    Jacob lived in the land of Ham [C Egypt; Gen. 46:1–7].
24 The Lord made his people ·grow in number [fruitful; Ex. 1:7],
    and he ·made them stronger than [strengthened them against] their ·enemies [foes].
25 He ·caused the Egyptians [L turned their hearts] to hate his people
    and to ·make plans [L act deceptively] against his servants [Ex. 1:8].
26 Then he sent his servant Moses,
    and Aaron, whom he had chosen [Ex. 3:1—4:17].
27 They did many signs among the Egyptians
    and worked ·wonders [miracles; C the plagues; Ex. 7–12] in the land of Ham [C Egypt; Gen. 46:1–7].
28 The Lord sent darkness and made the land dark,
    but the Egyptians ·turned against what he said [rebelled against his word; Ex. 10:21–29].
29 He changed their water into blood
    and made their fish die [Ex. 7:14–25].
30 Then their country ·was filled [swarmed] with frogs,
    even in the bedrooms of their ·rulers [L kings; Ex. 8:1–17].
31 The Lord spoke and flies came [Ex. 8:20–32],
    and gnats were everywhere in the country [Ex. 8:16–19].
32 He made hail fall like rain
    and sent lightning through their land.
33 He struck down their grapevines and fig trees,
    and he ·destroyed [shattered] every tree in the country [Ex. 9:13–35].
34 He spoke and ·grasshoppers [locusts] came;
    the ·locusts [young locusts] ·were too many to count [L without number].
35 They ate all the ·plants [vegetation] in the land
    and ·everything the earth produced [L the fruit of the ground; Ex. 10:1–20].
36 ·The Lord [L He] also ·killed [L struck] all the firstborn sons in the land,
    the oldest son of each family [L the first of their virility; Ex. 11:1—12:30].

37 Then he brought them out with silver and gold [Ex. 12:35–36].
    ·Not one of his people stumbled [L There was no stumbling among the tribe].
38 The Egyptians ·were glad [rejoiced] when they left,
    because ·the Egyptians were afraid of them [L dread of them fell on them; C because of the plagues].
39 ·The Lord covered them with a cloud [L He spread out a cloud as a covering]
    and ·lit up the night with fire [L a fire to illuminate the night; Ex. 13:21–22].
40 When they asked, he brought them quail
    and filled them with bread from heaven [Ex. 16].
41 God ·split [L opened] the rock, and water flowed out;
    it ran like a river through the ·desert [wasteland; Ex. 17:1–7].
42 He remembered his holy ·promise [word]
    to his servant Abraham [Gen. 12:1–3].

43 So God brought his people out with joy,
    his chosen ones with singing.
44 He gave them lands of other nations,
    so they received ·what others had worked for [L the labors of peoples].
45 This was so they would ·keep [observe; guard] his ·orders [statutes; ordinances; requirements]
    and ·obey [protect] his ·teachings [instructions; laws].

Praise the Lord!

Psalm 105(A)

Give praise to the Lord,(B) proclaim his name;(C)
    make known among the nations what he has done.
Sing to him,(D) sing praise to him;(E)
    tell of all his wonderful acts.(F)
Glory in his holy name;(G)
    let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
Look to the Lord and his strength;
    seek his face(H) always.

Remember the wonders(I) he has done,
    his miracles, and the judgments he pronounced,(J)
you his servants, the descendants of Abraham,(K)
    his chosen(L) ones, the children of Jacob.
He is the Lord our God;
    his judgments are in all the earth.

He remembers his covenant(M) forever,
    the promise he made, for a thousand generations,
the covenant he made with Abraham,(N)
    the oath he swore to Isaac.
10 He confirmed it(O) to Jacob as a decree,
    to Israel as an everlasting covenant:(P)
11 “To you I will give the land of Canaan(Q)
    as the portion you will inherit.”(R)

12 When they were but few in number,(S)
    few indeed, and strangers in it,(T)
13 they wandered from nation to nation,(U)
    from one kingdom to another.
14 He allowed no one to oppress(V) them;
    for their sake he rebuked kings:(W)
15 “Do not touch(X) my anointed ones;
    do my prophets(Y) no harm.”

16 He called down famine(Z) on the land
    and destroyed all their supplies of food;
17 and he sent a man before them—
    Joseph, sold as a slave.(AA)
18 They bruised his feet with shackles,(AB)
    his neck was put in irons,
19 till what he foretold(AC) came to pass,
    till the word(AD) of the Lord proved him true.
20 The king sent and released him,
    the ruler of peoples set him free.(AE)
21 He made him master of his household,
    ruler over all he possessed,
22 to instruct his princes(AF) as he pleased
    and teach his elders wisdom.(AG)

23 Then Israel entered Egypt;(AH)
    Jacob resided(AI) as a foreigner in the land of Ham.(AJ)
24 The Lord made his people very fruitful;
    he made them too numerous(AK) for their foes,
25 whose hearts he turned(AL) to hate his people,
    to conspire(AM) against his servants.
26 He sent Moses(AN) his servant,
    and Aaron,(AO) whom he had chosen.(AP)
27 They performed(AQ) his signs(AR) among them,
    his wonders(AS) in the land of Ham.
28 He sent darkness(AT) and made the land dark—
    for had they not rebelled against(AU) his words?
29 He turned their waters into blood,(AV)
    causing their fish to die.(AW)
30 Their land teemed with frogs,(AX)
    which went up into the bedrooms of their rulers.
31 He spoke,(AY) and there came swarms of flies,(AZ)
    and gnats(BA) throughout their country.
32 He turned their rain into hail,(BB)
    with lightning throughout their land;
33 he struck down their vines(BC) and fig trees(BD)
    and shattered the trees of their country.
34 He spoke,(BE) and the locusts came,(BF)
    grasshoppers(BG) without number;(BH)
35 they ate up every green thing in their land,
    ate up the produce of their soil.
36 Then he struck down all the firstborn(BI) in their land,
    the firstfruits of all their manhood.
37 He brought out Israel, laden with silver and gold,(BJ)
    and from among their tribes no one faltered.
38 Egypt was glad when they left,
    because dread of Israel(BK) had fallen on them.

39 He spread out a cloud(BL) as a covering,
    and a fire to give light at night.(BM)
40 They asked,(BN) and he brought them quail;(BO)
    he fed them well with the bread of heaven.(BP)
41 He opened the rock,(BQ) and water gushed out;
    it flowed like a river in the desert.

42 For he remembered his holy promise(BR)
    given to his servant Abraham.
43 He brought out his people with rejoicing,(BS)
    his chosen ones with shouts of joy;
44 he gave them the lands of the nations,(BT)
    and they fell heir to what others had toiled(BU) for—
45 that they might keep his precepts
    and observe his laws.(BV)

Praise the Lord.[a](BW)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 105:45 Hebrew Hallelu Yah

The Lord Saves, Idols Do Not

135 Praise the Lord!

Praise the name of the Lord;
    praise him, you servants of the Lord,
you who stand in the Lord’s ·Temple [L house]
    and in the ·Temple courtyards [L courtyards of the house of our God].
Praise the Lord, because the Lord is good;
    ·sing praises [make a psalm] to him, because it is pleasant.

The Lord has chosen the people of Jacob for himself;
    he has chosen the people of Israel ·for his very own [as his special possession/treasure; Ex. 19:5–6; Deut. 7:6; 14:2; Mal. 3:17].
I know that the Lord is great.
    Our Lord is greater than all the gods.
The Lord does what he pleases,
    in heaven and on earth,
    in the seas and the deep oceans.
He brings the clouds from the ends of the earth.
    He ·sends [L makes] the lightning with the rain.
He brings out the wind from his storehouses [Job 38:22–23].

He ·destroyed [L struck] the firstborn sons in Egypt
    the firstborn of both people and animals [Ex. 12].
He ·did [L sent] many signs and ·miracles [wonders] in Egypt
    against ·the king [L Pharaoh] and all his servants [L the plagues; Ex. 7–12].
10 He ·defeated [L struck] many nations
    and killed ·powerful [strong] kings:
11 Sihon king of the Amorites,
    Og king of Bashan [Num. 21:21–35],
    and all the kings of Canaan [Num. 21:1–3; Josh. 1–12].
12 Then he gave their land as a ·gift [L inheritance],
    a ·gift [L inheritance] to his people, the Israelites [Josh. 13–24].

13 Lord, your name is everlasting;
    Lord, you will be remembered forever.
14 The Lord ·defends [vindicates] his people
    and ·has mercy on [shows grace to] his servants.

15 The idols of other nations are made of silver and gold,
    the work of human hands.
16 They have mouths, but they cannot speak.
    They have eyes, but they cannot see.
17 They have ears, but they cannot hear.
    They have no breath in their mouths.
18 People who make idols will be like them,
    and so will those who ·trust [have confidence in] them [115:4–8; Is. 44:9–20; 46:6–7; Jer. 10:1–9; Hab. 2:18–19].

19 ·Family [L House] of Israel, ·praise [bless] the Lord.
    ·Family [L House] of Aaron [C the priests], ·praise [bless] the Lord.
20 ·Family [L House] of Levi [C assistants to the priests], ·praise [bless] the Lord.
    You who ·respect [fear] the Lord [Prov. 1:7] should ·praise [bless] him.
21 You ·people of [L who live in] Jerusalem, ·praise [bless] the Lord on Mount Zion [C the location of the Temple].
    Praise the Lord!

Psalm 135(A)

Praise the Lord.[a]

Praise the name of the Lord;
    praise him, you servants(B) of the Lord,
you who minister in the house(C) of the Lord,
    in the courts(D) of the house of our God.

Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good;(E)
    sing praise to his name,(F) for that is pleasant.(G)
For the Lord has chosen Jacob(H) to be his own,
    Israel to be his treasured possession.(I)

I know that the Lord is great,(J)
    that our Lord is greater than all gods.(K)
The Lord does whatever pleases him,(L)
    in the heavens and on the earth,(M)
    in the seas and all their depths.
He makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth;
    he sends lightning with the rain(N)
    and brings out the wind(O) from his storehouses.(P)

He struck down the firstborn(Q) of Egypt,
    the firstborn of people and animals.
He sent his signs(R) and wonders into your midst, Egypt,
    against Pharaoh and all his servants.(S)
10 He struck down many(T) nations
    and killed mighty kings—
11 Sihon(U) king of the Amorites,(V)
    Og king of Bashan,(W)
    and all the kings of Canaan(X)
12 and he gave their land as an inheritance,(Y)
    an inheritance to his people Israel.

13 Your name, Lord, endures forever,(Z)
    your renown,(AA) Lord, through all generations.
14 For the Lord will vindicate his people(AB)
    and have compassion on his servants.(AC)

15 The idols of the nations(AD) are silver and gold,
    made by human hands.(AE)
16 They have mouths, but cannot speak,(AF)
    eyes, but cannot see.
17 They have ears, but cannot hear,
    nor is there breath(AG) in their mouths.
18 Those who make them will be like them,
    and so will all who trust in them.

19 All you Israelites, praise the Lord;(AH)
    house of Aaron, praise the Lord;
20 house of Levi, praise the Lord;
    you who fear him, praise the Lord.
21 Praise be to the Lord from Zion,(AI)
    to him who dwells in Jerusalem.(AJ)

Praise the Lord.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 135:1 Hebrew Hallelu Yah; also in verses 3 and 21

God’s Love Continues Forever

136 ·Give thanks to [Praise] the Lord because he is good.
    His ·love [loyalty] continues forever.
·Give thanks to [Praise] the God of gods.
    His ·love [loyalty] continues forever.
·Give thanks to [Praise] the Lord of lords.
    His ·love [loyalty] continues forever.

Only he can do ·great miracles [great and wonderful acts].
    His ·love [loyalty] continues forever.
With his ·wisdom [L understanding; 104:24; Prov. 3:19; Jer. 10:12] he made the ·skies [heavens; Gen. 1:6–7].
    His ·love [loyalty] continues forever.
He spread out the earth on the ·seas [waters; Gen. 1:9–10].
    His ·love [loyalty] continues forever.
He made the ·sun and the moon [L great lights; Gen. 1:14–15].
    His ·love [loyalty] continues forever.
He made the sun to rule the day [Gen. 1:16–18].
    His ·love [loyalty] continues forever.
He made the moon and stars to rule the night [Gen. 1:16–18].
    His ·love [loyalty] continues forever.

10 He ·killed [L struck] the firstborn sons of the Egyptians [Ex. 11].
    His ·love [loyalty] continues forever.
11 He brought the people of Israel out of ·Egypt [L their midst; Ex. 12:31–51].
    His ·love [loyalty] continues forever.
12 He did it with his ·great power [L strong hand] and ·strength [L outstretched arm].
    His ·love [loyalty] continues forever.
13 He parted the water of the ·Red [or Reed] Sea [78:13; Ex. 14–15].
    His ·love [loyalty] continues forever.
14 He brought the Israelites through the middle of it.
    His ·love [loyalty] continues forever.
15 But ·the king of Egypt [L Pharaoh] and his army ·drowned in [were swept into] the ·Red [Reed] Sea [v. 13].
    His ·love [loyalty] continues forever.

16 He led his people through the ·desert [wilderness; Deut. 8:15; Jer. 2:6].
    His ·love [loyalty] continues forever.
17 He ·defeated [L struck] great kings.
    His ·love [loyalty] continues forever.
18 He killed ·powerful [mighty] kings.
    His ·love [loyalty] continues forever.
19 He defeated Sihon king of the Amorites [Num. 21:21–32].
    His ·love [loyalty] continues forever.
20 He defeated Og king of Bashan [Num. 21:32–35].
    His ·love [loyalty] continues forever.
21 He gave their land as a ·gift [inheritance].
    His ·love [loyalty] continues forever.
22 It was a ·gift [inheritance] to his servants, the Israelites.
    His ·love [loyalty] continues forever.

23 He remembered us ·when we were in trouble [L in our low condition].
    His ·love [loyalty] continues forever.
24 He ·freed us from [pulled us away from] our ·enemies [foes].
    His ·love [loyalty] continues forever.
25 He gives ·food [bread] to ·every living creature [L all flesh].
    His ·love [loyalty] continues forever.

26 ·Give thanks to [Praise] the God of heaven.
His ·love [loyalty] continues forever.

Psalm 136

Give thanks(A) to the Lord, for he is good.(B)
His love endures forever.(C)
Give thanks(D) to the God of gods.(E)
His love endures forever.
Give thanks(F) to the Lord of lords:(G)
His love endures forever.

to him who alone does great wonders,(H)
His love endures forever.
who by his understanding(I) made the heavens,(J)
His love endures forever.
who spread out the earth(K) upon the waters,(L)
His love endures forever.
who made the great lights(M)
His love endures forever.
the sun to govern(N) the day,
His love endures forever.
the moon and stars to govern the night;
His love endures forever.

10 to him who struck down the firstborn(O) of Egypt
His love endures forever.
11 and brought Israel out(P) from among them
His love endures forever.
12 with a mighty hand(Q) and outstretched arm;(R)
His love endures forever.

13 to him who divided the Red Sea[a](S) asunder
His love endures forever.
14 and brought Israel through(T) the midst of it,
His love endures forever.
15 but swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea;(U)
His love endures forever.

16 to him who led his people through the wilderness;(V)
His love endures forever.

17 to him who struck down great kings,(W)
His love endures forever.
18 and killed mighty kings(X)
His love endures forever.
19 Sihon king of the Amorites(Y)
His love endures forever.
20 and Og king of Bashan(Z)
His love endures forever.
21 and gave their land(AA) as an inheritance,(AB)
His love endures forever.
22 an inheritance(AC) to his servant Israel.(AD)
His love endures forever.

23 He remembered us(AE) in our low estate
His love endures forever.
24 and freed us(AF) from our enemies.(AG)
His love endures forever.
25 He gives food(AH) to every creature.
His love endures forever.

26 Give thanks(AI) to the God of heaven.(AJ)
His love endures forever.(AK)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 136:13 Or the Sea of Reeds; also in verse 15