Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Hillsong Made Me Glad

Psalm 40

Psalm 40 (New International Version, ©2011)

Psalm 40

Psalm 40[a]
    For the director of music. Of David. A psalm. 1 I waited patiently for the LORD;
   he turned to me and heard my cry.
2 He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
   out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
   and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
   a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the LORD
   and put their trust in him.
 4 Blessed is the one
   who trusts in the LORD,
who does not look to the proud,
   to those who turn aside to false gods.[b]
5 Many, LORD my God,
   are the wonders you have done,
   the things you planned for us.
None can compare with you;
   were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
   they would be too many to declare.
 6 Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—
   but my ears you have opened[c]
   burnt offerings and sin offerings[d] you did not require.
7 Then I said, “Here I am, I have come—
   it is written about me in the scroll.[e]
8 I desire to do your will, my God;
   your law is within my heart.”
 9 I proclaim your saving acts in the great assembly;
   I do not seal my lips, LORD,
   as you know.
10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
   I speak of your faithfulness and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
   from the great assembly.
 11 Do not withhold your mercy from me, LORD;
   may your love and faithfulness always protect me.
12 For troubles without number surround me;
   my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.
They are more than the hairs of my head,
   and my heart fails within me.
13 Be pleased to save me, LORD;
   come quickly, LORD, to help me.
 14 May all who want to take my life
   be put to shame and confusion;
may all who desire my ruin
   be turned back in disgrace.
15 May those who say to me, “Aha! Aha!”
   be appalled at their own shame.
16 But may all who seek you
   rejoice and be glad in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
   “The LORD is great!”
 17 But as for me, I am poor and needy;
   may the Lord think of me.
You are my help and my deliverer;
   you are my God, do not delay.
Footnotes:
  1. Psalm 40:1 In Hebrew texts 40:1-17 is numbered 40:2-18.
  2. Psalm 40:4 Or to lies
  3. Psalm 40:6 Hebrew; some Septuagint manuscripts but a body you have prepared for me
  4. Psalm 40:6 Or purification offerings
  5. Psalm 40:7 Or come / with the scroll written for me

Proverbs 10

Proverbs 10 (New International Version, ©2011)

Proverbs 10

Proverbs of Solomon
 1 The proverbs of Solomon:    A wise son brings joy to his father,
   but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.
 2 Ill-gotten treasures have no lasting value,
   but righteousness delivers from death.
 3 The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry,
   but he thwarts the craving of the wicked.
 4 Lazy hands make for poverty,
   but diligent hands bring wealth.
 5 He who gathers crops in summer is a prudent son,
   but he who sleeps during harvest is a disgraceful son.
 6 Blessings crown the head of the righteous,
   but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.[a]
 7 The name of the righteous is used in blessings,[b]
   but the name of the wicked will rot.
 8 The wise in heart accept commands,
   but a chattering fool comes to ruin.
 9 Whoever walks in integrity walks securely,
   but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.
 10 Whoever winks maliciously causes grief,
   and a chattering fool comes to ruin.
 11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,
   but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
 12 Hatred stirs up conflict,
   but love covers over all wrongs.
 13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,
   but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.
 14 The wise store up knowledge,
   but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.
 15 The wealth of the rich is their fortified city,
   but poverty is the ruin of the poor.
 16 The wages of the righteous is life,
   but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.
 17 Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,
   but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.
 18 Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips
   and spreads slander is a fool.
 19 Sin is not ended by multiplying words,
   but the prudent hold their tongues.
 20 The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,
   but the heart of the wicked is of little value.
 21 The lips of the righteous nourish many,
   but fools die for lack of sense.
 22 The blessing of the LORD brings wealth,
   without painful toil for it.
 23 A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes,
   but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.
 24 What the wicked dread will overtake them;
   what the righteous desire will be granted.
 25 When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone,
   but the righteous stand firm forever.
 26 As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,
   so are sluggards to those who send them.
 27 The fear of the LORD adds length to life,
   but the years of the wicked are cut short.
 28 The prospect of the righteous is joy,
   but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.
 29 The way of the LORD is a refuge for the blameless,
   but it is the ruin of those who do evil.
 30 The righteous will never be uprooted,
   but the wicked will not remain in the land.
 31 From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom,
   but a perverse tongue will be silenced.
 32 The lips of the righteous know what finds favor,
   but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.
Footnotes:
  1. Proverbs 10:6 Or righteous, / but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence
  2. Proverbs 10:7 See Gen. 48:20.

Proverbs 10 (with text - press on more info.)

Psalm 40 (with text - press on more info.)

OpWorld | Portugal

Monday, May 9, 2011

My life is in You, Lord - with Lyrics

Psalm 39

Psalm 39 (New International Version, ©2011)

Psalm 39

Psalm 39[a]
    For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David. 1 I said, “I will watch my ways
   and keep my tongue from sin;
I will put a muzzle on my mouth
   while in the presence of the wicked.”
2 So I remained utterly silent,
   not even saying anything good.
But my anguish increased;
 3 my heart grew hot within me.
While I meditated, the fire burned;
   then I spoke with my tongue:
 4 “Show me, LORD, my life’s end
   and the number of my days;
   let me know how fleeting my life is.
5 You have made my days a mere handbreadth;
   the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,
   even those who seem secure.[b]
 6 “Surely everyone goes around like a mere phantom;
   in vain they rush about, heaping up wealth
   without knowing whose it will finally be.
 7 “But now, Lord, what do I look for?
   My hope is in you.
8 Save me from all my transgressions;
   do not make me the scorn of fools.
9 I was silent; I would not open my mouth,
   for you are the one who has done this.
10 Remove your scourge from me;
   I am overcome by the blow of your hand.
11 When you rebuke and discipline anyone for their sin,
   you consume their wealth like a moth—
   surely everyone is but a breath.
 12 “Hear my prayer, LORD,
   listen to my cry for help;
   do not be deaf to my weeping.
I dwell with you as a foreigner,
   a stranger, as all my ancestors were.
13 Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again
   before I depart and am no more.”
Footnotes:
  1. Psalm 39:1 In Hebrew texts 39:1-13 is numbered 39:2-14.
  2. Psalm 39:5 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 11.

Proverbs 9 (with text - press on more info.)

Proverbs 9

Proverbs 9 (New International Version, ©2011)

Proverbs 9

Invitations of Wisdom and Folly
 1 Wisdom has built her house;
   she has set up[a] its seven pillars.
2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine;
   she has also set her table.
3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls
   from the highest point of the city,
 4 “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense she says,
 5 “Come, eat my food
   and drink the wine I have mixed.
6 Leave your simple ways and you will live;
   walk in the way of insight.”  7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults;
   whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse.
8 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you;
   rebuke the wise and they will love you.
9 Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still;
   teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.
 10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom,
   and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.
11 For through wisdom[b] your days will be many,
   and years will be added to your life.
12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you;
   if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.
 13 Folly is an unruly woman;
   she is simple and knows nothing.
14 She sits at the door of her house,
   on a seat at the highest point of the city,
15 calling out to those who pass by,
   who go straight on their way,
 16 “Let all who are simple come to my house!”
To those who have no sense she says,
 17 “Stolen water is sweet;
   food eaten in secret is delicious!”
18 But little do they know that the dead are there,
   that her guests are deep in the realm of the dead.
Footnotes:
  1. Proverbs 9:1 Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew has hewn out
  2. Proverbs 9:11 Septuagint, Syriac and Targum; Hebrew me

OpWorld | Ghana

Sunday, May 8, 2011

OpWorld | Hungary

Proverbs 8

Proverbs 8 (New International Version, ©2011)

Proverbs 8

Wisdom’s Call
 1 Does not wisdom call out?
   Does not understanding raise her voice?
2 At the highest point along the way,
   where the paths meet, she takes her stand;
3 beside the gate leading into the city,
   at the entrance, she cries aloud:
4 “To you, O people, I call out;
   I raise my voice to all mankind.
5 You who are simple, gain prudence;
   you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.[a]
6 Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;
   I open my lips to speak what is right.
7 My mouth speaks what is true,
   for my lips detest wickedness.
8 All the words of my mouth are just;
   none of them is crooked or perverse.
9 To the discerning all of them are right;
   they are upright to those who have found knowledge.
10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,
   knowledge rather than choice gold,
11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies,
   and nothing you desire can compare with her.  12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;
   I possess knowledge and discretion.
13 To fear the LORD is to hate evil;
   I hate pride and arrogance,
   evil behavior and perverse speech.
14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;
   I have insight, I have power.
15 By me kings reign
   and rulers issue decrees that are just;
16 by me princes govern,
   and nobles—all who rule on earth.[b]
17 I love those who love me,
   and those who seek me find me.
18 With me are riches and honor,
   enduring wealth and prosperity.
19 My fruit is better than fine gold;
   what I yield surpasses choice silver.
20 I walk in the way of righteousness,
   along the paths of justice,
21 bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me
   and making their treasuries full.
 22 “The LORD brought me forth as the first of his works,[c][d]
   before his deeds of old;
23 I was formed long ages ago,
   at the very beginning, when the world came to be.
24 When there were no watery depths, I was given birth,
   when there were no springs overflowing with water;
25 before the mountains were settled in place,
   before the hills, I was given birth,
26 before he made the world or its fields
   or any of the dust of the earth.
27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,
   when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep,
28 when he established the clouds above
   and fixed securely the fountains of the deep,
29 when he gave the sea its boundary
   so the waters would not overstep his command,
and when he marked out the foundations of the earth.
 30 Then I was constantly[e] at his side.
I was filled with delight day after day,
   rejoicing always in his presence,
31 rejoicing in his whole world
   and delighting in mankind.
 32 “Now then, my children, listen to me;
   blessed are those who keep my ways.
33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;
   do not disregard it.
34 Blessed are those who listen to me,
   watching daily at my doors,
   waiting at my doorway.
35 For those who find me find life
   and receive favor from the LORD.
36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;
   all who hate me love death.”
Footnotes:
  1. Proverbs 8:5 Septuagint; Hebrew foolish, instruct your minds
  2. Proverbs 8:16 Some Hebrew manuscripts and Septuagint; other Hebrew manuscripts all righteous rulers
  3. Proverbs 8:22 Or way; or dominion
  4. Proverbs 8:22 Or The LORD possessed me at the beginning of his work; or The LORD brought me forth at the beginning of his work
  5. Proverbs 8:30 Or was the artisan; or was a little child

Proverbs 8 (with text - press on more info.)

Your grace is sufficient

Psalm 38 (with text - press on more info.)

Psalm 38

Psalm 38

Psalm 38[a]
    A psalm of David. A petition. 1 LORD, do not rebuke me in your anger
   or discipline me in your wrath.
2 Your arrows have pierced me,
   and your hand has come down on me.
3 Because of your wrath there is no health in my body;
   there is no soundness in my bones because of my sin.
4 My guilt has overwhelmed me
   like a burden too heavy to bear.
 5 My wounds fester and are loathsome
   because of my sinful folly.
6 I am bowed down and brought very low;
   all day long I go about mourning.
7 My back is filled with searing pain;
   there is no health in my body.
8 I am feeble and utterly crushed;
   I groan in anguish of heart.
 9 All my longings lie open before you, Lord;
   my sighing is not hidden from you.
10 My heart pounds, my strength fails me;
   even the light has gone from my eyes.
11 My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds;
   my neighbors stay far away.
12 Those who want to kill me set their traps,
   those who would harm me talk of my ruin;
   all day long they scheme and lie.
 13 I am like the deaf, who cannot hear,
   like the mute, who cannot speak;
14 I have become like one who does not hear,
   whose mouth can offer no reply.
15 LORD, I wait for you;
   you will answer, Lord my God.
16 For I said, “Do not let them gloat
   or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip.”
 17 For I am about to fall,
   and my pain is ever with me.
18 I confess my iniquity;
   I am troubled by my sin.
19 Many have become my enemies without cause[b];
   those who hate me without reason are numerous.
20 Those who repay my good with evil
   lodge accusations against me,
   though I seek only to do what is good.
 21 LORD, do not forsake me;
   do not be far from me, my God.
22 Come quickly to help me,
   my Lord and my Savior.
Footnotes:
  1. Psalm 38:1 In Hebrew texts 38:1-22 is numbered 38:2-23.
  2. Psalm 38:19 One Dead Sea Scrolls manuscript; Masoretic Text my vigorous enemies