There is this cluster of psalms from Psalm 100 to 104 that are so beautiful, such amazing poetry, that I'd like to copy them all here. For now, I'll make do with Psalm 103. This is from the New International Version. Since the New Revised Standard Version is supposed to be more "literary," I looked at it, but for some reason, I also really like this one. It feels fresher somehow. The NRSV, on the other hand, does a very good job at gender neutrality. But for now, here's the NIV.
Psalm 103
Of David
Praise the LORD, O my soul,
all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the LORD, O my soul,
and forget not all his benefits--
who forgives all your sins
and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit
and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.
The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.
He made known his ways to Moses,
his deeds to the people of Israel:
The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
slow to anger abounding in love.
He will not always accuse,
nor will he harbor his anger forever;
he does not treat us as our sins deserve
or repay us according to our iniquities.
For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
so great is his love for those who fear him;
as far as the east is from the west,
so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
As a father has compassion on his children,
so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
for he knows how we are formed,
he remembers that we are dust. (from NRSV
As for man, his days are like grass, (As for mortals, their days...
he flourishes like a flower of the field; (they flourish like a...
the wind blows over it and it is gone, (for the wind passes over...
and its place remembers it no more.
But from everlasting to everlasting
the LORD'S love is with those who fear him
and his righteousness with their children's children---
with those who keep his covenant
and remember to obey his precepts.
The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.
Praise the LORD, you his angels,
you mighty ones who do his bidding,
who obey his word.
Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
you his servants who do his will.
Praise the LORD, all his works
everywhere in his dominion.
Praise the LORD, O my soul.
4 comments:
This is the first reading from The Bible I have had in a very long time.
The Psalms have always been a favorite. Oh yes, and the Songs of Solomon! Which, God help me, I plagiarized quite a lot in silly love missives to the girls. :-)
Well, if you plaigerize Song of Solomon, you must have taste, although it certainly does require a certain amount of context. Having a neck like a tower hung with shields, at first glimpse, calls to mind a dermitological nightmare... {-; But, yes, there is so much beautiful literature in the Bible. I wanted to post this Psalm (and eventually others) to point that out. Psalm 104 is also amazing.
I felt so empowered reading this. This appears to be my next fav after Psalms 91.
Praise the Lord O my Soul!!
I felt so empowered reading this...Praise the Lord O my Soul!!
Psalms 91 is my all time fav!
Post a Comment