1A well-written song by Asaph. Pay attention, my people, to my instruction! Listen to the words I speak! | 1A well-written song by Asaph. Pay attention, my people, to my instruction! Listen to the words I speak! |
2I will sing a song that imparts wisdom; I will make insightful observations about the past. | 2I will sing a song that imparts wisdom; I will make insightful observations about the past. |
3What we have heard and learned--that which our ancestors have told us-- | 3What we have heard and learned--that which our ancestors have told us-- |
4we will not hide from their descendants. We will tell the next generation about the LORD's praiseworthy acts, about his strength and the amazing things he has done. | 4we will not hide from their descendants. We will tell the next generation about the LORD's praiseworthy acts, about his strength and the amazing things he has done. |
5He established a rule in Jacob; he set up a law in Israel. He commanded our ancestors to make his deeds known to their descendants, | 5He established a rule in Jacob; he set up a law in Israel. He commanded our ancestors to make his deeds known to their descendants, |
6so that the next generation, children yet to be born, might know about them. They will grow up and tell their descendants about them. | 6so that the next generation, children yet to be born, might know about them. They will grow up and tell their descendants about them. |
7Then they will place their confidence in God. They will not forget the works of God, and they will obey his commands. | 7Then they will place their confidence in God. They will not forget the works of God, and they will obey his commands. |
8Then they will not be like their ancestors, who were a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that was not committed and faithful to God. | 8Then they will not be like their ancestors, who were a stubborn and rebellious generation, a generation that was not committed and faithful to God. |
9The Ephraimites were armed with bows, but they retreated in the day of battle. | 9The Ephraimites were armed with bows, but they retreated in the day of battle. |
10They did not keep their covenant with God, and they refused to obey his law. | 10They did not keep their covenant with God, and they refused to obey his law. |
11They forgot what he had done, the amazing things he had shown them. | 11They forgot what he had done, the amazing things he had shown them. |
12He did amazing things in the sight of their ancestors, in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan. | 12He did amazing things in the sight of their ancestors, in the land of Egypt, in the region of Zoan. |
13He divided the sea and led them across it; he made the water stand in a heap. | 13He divided the sea and led them across it; he made the water stand in a heap. |
14He led them with a cloud by day, and with the light of a fire all night long. | 14He led them with a cloud by day, and with the light of a fire all night long. |
15He broke open rocks in the wilderness, and gave them enough water to fill the depths of the sea. | 15He broke open rocks in the wilderness, and gave them enough water to fill the depths of the sea. |
16He caused streams to flow from the rock, and made the water flow like rivers. | 16He caused streams to flow from the rock, and made the water flow like rivers. |
17Yet they continued to sin against him, and rebelled against the sovereign One in the desert. | 17Yet they continued to sin against him, and rebelled against the sovereign One in the desert. |
18They willfully challenged God by asking for food to satisfy their appetite. | 18They willfully challenged God by asking for food to satisfy their appetite. |
19They insulted God, saying, "Is God really able to give us food in the wilderness? | 19They insulted God, saying, "Is God really able to give us food in the wilderness? |
20Yes, he struck a rock and water flowed out, streams gushed forth. But can he also give us food? Will he provide meat for his people?" | 20Yes, he struck a rock and water flowed out, streams gushed forth. But can he also give us food? Will he provide meat for his people?" |
21When the LORD heard this, he was furious. A fire broke out against Jacob, and his anger flared up against Israel, | 21When the LORD heard this, he was furious. A fire broke out against Jacob, and his anger flared up against Israel, |
22because they did not have faith in God, and did not trust his ability to deliver them. | 22because they did not have faith in God, and did not trust his ability to deliver them. |
23He gave a command to the clouds above, and opened the doors in the sky. | 23He gave a command to the clouds above, and opened the doors in the sky. |
24He rained down manna for them to eat; he gave them the grain of heaven. | 24He rained down manna for them to eat; he gave them the grain of heaven. |
25Man ate the food of the mighty ones. He sent them more than enough to eat. | 25Man ate the food of the mighty ones. He sent them more than enough to eat. |
26He brought the east wind through the sky, and by his strength led forth the south wind. | 26He brought the east wind through the sky, and by his strength led forth the south wind. |
27He rained down meat on them like dust, birds as numerous as the sand on the seashores. | 27He rained down meat on them like dust, birds as numerous as the sand on the seashores. |
28He caused them to fall right in the middle of their camp, all around their homes. | 28He caused them to fall right in the middle of their camp, all around their homes. |
29They ate until they were stuffed; he gave them what they desired. | 29They ate until they were stuffed; he gave them what they desired. |
30They were not yet filled up, their food was still in their mouths, | 30They were not yet filled up, their food was still in their mouths, |
31when the anger of God flared up against them. He killed some of the strongest of them; he brought the young men of Israel to their knees. | 31when the anger of God flared up against them. He killed some of the strongest of them; he brought the young men of Israel to their knees. |
32Despite all this, they continued to sin, and did not trust him to do amazing things. | 32Despite all this, they continued to sin, and did not trust him to do amazing things. |
33So he caused them to die unsatisfied and filled with terror. | 33So he caused them to die unsatisfied and filled with terror. |
34When he struck them down, they sought his favor; they turned back and longed for God. | 34When he struck them down, they sought his favor; they turned back and longed for God. |
35They remembered that God was their protector, and that the sovereign God was their deliverer. | 35They remembered that God was their protector, and that the sovereign God was their deliverer. |
36But they deceived him with their words, and lied to him. | 36But they deceived him with their words, and lied to him. |
37They were not really committed to him, and they were unfaithful to his covenant. | 37They were not really committed to him, and they were unfaithful to his covenant. |
38Yet he is compassionate. He forgives sin and does not destroy. He often holds back his anger, and does not stir up his fury. | 38Yet he is compassionate. He forgives sin and does not destroy. He often holds back his anger, and does not stir up his fury. |
39He remembered that they were made of flesh, and were like a wind that blows past and does not return. | 39He remembered that they were made of flesh, and were like a wind that blows past and does not return. |
40How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness, and insulted him in the desert! | 40How often they rebelled against him in the wilderness, and insulted him in the desert! |
41They again challenged God, and offended the Holy One of Israel. | 41They again challenged God, and offended the Holy One of Israel. |
42They did not remember what he had done, how he delivered them from the enemy, | 42They did not remember what he had done, how he delivered them from the enemy, |
43when he performed his awesome deeds in Egypt, and his acts of judgment in the region of Zoan. | 43when he performed his awesome deeds in Egypt, and his acts of judgment in the region of Zoan. |
44He turned their rivers into blood, and they could not drink from their streams. | 44He turned their rivers into blood, and they could not drink from their streams. |
45He sent swarms of biting insects against them, as well as frogs that overran their land. | 45He sent swarms of biting insects against them, as well as frogs that overran their land. |
46He gave their crops to the grasshopper, the fruit of their labor to the locust. | 46He gave their crops to the grasshopper, the fruit of their labor to the locust. |
47He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycamore-fig trees with driving rain. | 47He destroyed their vines with hail, and their sycamore-fig trees with driving rain. |
48He rained hail down on their cattle, and hurled lightning bolts down on their livestock. | 48He rained hail down on their cattle, and hurled lightning bolts down on their livestock. |
49His raging anger lashed out against them, He sent fury, rage, and trouble as messengers who bring disaster. | 49His raging anger lashed out against them, He sent fury, rage, and trouble as messengers who bring disaster. |
50He sent his anger in full force; he did not spare them from death; he handed their lives over to destruction. | 50He sent his anger in full force; he did not spare them from death; he handed their lives over to destruction. |
51He struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, the firstfruits of their reproductive power in the tents of Ham. | 51He struck down all the firstborn in Egypt, the firstfruits of their reproductive power in the tents of Ham. |
52Yet he brought out his people like sheep; he led them through the wilderness like a flock. | 52Yet he brought out his people like sheep; he led them through the wilderness like a flock. |
53He guided them safely along, while the sea covered their enemies. | 53He guided them safely along, while the sea covered their enemies. |
54He brought them to the border of his holy land, to this mountainous land which his right hand acquired. | 54He brought them to the border of his holy land, to this mountainous land which his right hand acquired. |
55He drove the nations out from before them; he assigned them their tribal allotments and allowed the tribes of Israel to settle down. | 55He drove the nations out from before them; he assigned them their tribal allotments and allowed the tribes of Israel to settle down. |
56Yet they challenged and defied the sovereign God, and did not obey his commands. | 56Yet they challenged and defied the sovereign God, and did not obey his commands. |
57They were unfaithful and acted as treacherously as their ancestors; they were as unreliable as a malfunctioning bow. | 57They were unfaithful and acted as treacherously as their ancestors; they were as unreliable as a malfunctioning bow. |
58They made him angry with their pagan shrines, and made him jealous with their idols. | 58They made him angry with their pagan shrines, and made him jealous with their idols. |
59God heard and was angry; he completely rejected Israel. | 59God heard and was angry; he completely rejected Israel. |
60He abandoned the sanctuary at Shiloh, the tent where he lived among men. | 60He abandoned the sanctuary at Shiloh, the tent where he lived among men. |
61He allowed the symbol of his strong presence to be captured; he gave the symbol of his splendor into the hand of the enemy. | 61He allowed the symbol of his strong presence to be captured; he gave the symbol of his splendor into the hand of the enemy. |
62He delivered his people over to the sword, and was angry with his chosen nation. | 62He delivered his people over to the sword, and was angry with his chosen nation. |
63Fire consumed their young men, and their virgins remained unmarried. | 63Fire consumed their young men, and their virgins remained unmarried. |
64Their priests fell by the sword, but their widows did not weep. | 64Their priests fell by the sword, but their widows did not weep. |
65But then the Lord awoke from his sleep; he was like a warrior in a drunken rage. | 65But then the Lord awoke from his sleep; he was like a warrior in a drunken rage. |
66He drove his enemies back; he made them a permanent target for insults. | 66He drove his enemies back; he made them a permanent target for insults. |
67He rejected the tent of Joseph; he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim. | 67He rejected the tent of Joseph; he did not choose the tribe of Ephraim. |
68He chose the tribe of Judah, and Mount Zion, which he loves. | 68He chose the tribe of Judah, and Mount Zion, which he loves. |
69He made his sanctuary as enduring as the heavens above; as secure as the earth, which he established permanently. | 69He made his sanctuary as enduring as the heavens above; as secure as the earth, which he established permanently. |
70He chose David, his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds. | 70He chose David, his servant, and took him from the sheepfolds. |
71He took him away from following the mother sheep, and made him the shepherd of Jacob, his people, and of Israel, his chosen nation. | 71He took him away from following the mother sheep, and made him the shepherd of Jacob, his people, and of Israel, his chosen nation. |
72David cared for them with pure motives; he led them with skill. | 72David cared for them with pure motives; he led them with skill. |
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