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It is almost Sunday already so let's do Psalm 108.
A Song. A Psalm of David.
1 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
I will sing and make melody.
Awake, my soul!
2 Awake, O harp and lyre!
I will awake the dawn.
3 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples,
and I will sing praises to you among the nations.
4 For your steadfast love is higher than the heavens,
and your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens,
and let your glory be over all the earth.
6 Give victory with your right hand, and answer me,
so that those whom you love may be rescued.
7 God has promised in his sanctuary:
‘With exultation I will divide up Shechem,
and portion out the Vale of Succoth.
8 Gilead is mine; Manasseh is mine;
Ephraim is my helmet;
Judah is my sceptre.
9 Moab is my wash-basin;
on Edom I hurl my shoe;
over Philistia I shout in triumph.’
10 Who will bring me to the fortified city?
Who will lead me to Edom?
11 Have you not rejected us, O God?
You do not go out, O God, with our armies.
12 O grant us help against the foe,
for human help is worthless.
13 With God we shall do valiantly;
it is he who will tread down our foes.
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Translation: RSV
Find the Hebrew and English together at Mechon Mamre.
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PHOTO: King David next to the traditional tomb of King David on Mt. Zion.
His broken strings have been restrung and he got a coat of gold paint, but David's nose is still broken.
The recurring vandalism is generally thought to be the way of some haredi/ultra-Orthodox Jews to show they do not approve of graven images of humans in the holy city Jerusalem.
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Showing posts with label David. Show all posts
Showing posts with label David. Show all posts
Saturday, June 15, 2013
Sunday, May 6, 2012
Vows
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A nice Psalm 61 for Robert's weekly PsalmChallenge at Daily Athens Photo, centered in Athens, where fateful elections are currently in full swing.
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9. So I will sing Your name in hymns eternally, as I fulfill my vows day after day.
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Photos:
A stringed King David statue exhibited at Mamilla Mall last year.
Franciscan friars and two nuns pray before the tomb of Jesus in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
By candlelight a nun sings the prayers.
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Today's translation is by Rabbi Benjamin Segal.
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A nice Psalm 61 for Robert's weekly PsalmChallenge at Daily Athens Photo, centered in Athens, where fateful elections are currently in full swing.
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1. To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.
2. Hear, O God, my supplication; heed my prayer.
2. Hear, O God, my supplication; heed my prayer.
3. From the end of the earth to You I call; when my heart is faint, lead me to a rock high above me.
4. For indeed You have been a refuge for me, a tower of strength in the face of an enemy.
5. I would dwell in Your tent forever, take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Selah
6. For indeed You, O God, have heard my vows; You have given an inheritance (to) those who fear Your name.
7. Add days to the days of the king; may his years be from generation to generation;
8. may he ever dwell before the face of God; appoint steadfast love to guard him.
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Photos:
A stringed King David statue exhibited at Mamilla Mall last year.
Franciscan friars and two nuns pray before the tomb of Jesus in the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
By candlelight a nun sings the prayers.
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Today's translation is by Rabbi Benjamin Segal.
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Saturday, February 18, 2012
Wisdom literature addressed to all mankind
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For PsalmChallenge, inspired and hosted by Robert in Athens, here is Psalm 49.
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1 To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.
Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, 2 both low and high, rich and poor together!
3 My mouth shall speak wisdom; the meditation of my heart shall be understanding. 4 I will incline my ear to a proverb; I will solve my riddle to the music of the lyre.
5 Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me, 6 men who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? 7 Truly no man can ransom himself, or give to God the price of his life, 8 for the ransom of his life is costly, and can never suffice, 9 that he should continue to live on for ever, and never see the Pit. 10 Yea, he shall see that even the wise die, the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others. 11 Their graves are their homes for ever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they named lands their own. 12 Man cannot abide in his pomp, he is like the beasts that perish. 13 This is the fate of those who have foolish confidence, the end of those who are pleased with their portion. [Selah] 14 Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; Death shall be their shepherd; straight to the grave they descend, and their form shall waste away; Sheol shall be their home.
15 But God will ransom my soul from the power of Sheol, for he will receive me. [Selah]
16 Be not afraid when one becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases. 17 For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him. 18 Though, while he lives, he counts himself happy, and though a man gets praise when he does well for himself, 19 he will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never more see the light. 20 Man cannot abide in his pomp, he is like the beasts that perish.
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Today's translation is the RSV, 1952. Hebrew original is here.
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Photos:
1. "David menagen" by Gavriel Ben-Haim, was at Mamilla mall exhibit.
2. A tombstone in the Christian cemetery in Jerusalem's German Colony.
More exactly, the Hebrew means"But God will redeem my life from the clutches of Sheol, for He will take me."
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For PsalmChallenge, inspired and hosted by Robert in Athens, here is Psalm 49.
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1 To the choirmaster. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah.
Hear this, all peoples! Give ear, all inhabitants of the world, 2 both low and high, rich and poor together!
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5 Why should I fear in times of trouble, when the iniquity of my persecutors surrounds me, 6 men who trust in their wealth and boast of the abundance of their riches? 7 Truly no man can ransom himself, or give to God the price of his life, 8 for the ransom of his life is costly, and can never suffice, 9 that he should continue to live on for ever, and never see the Pit. 10 Yea, he shall see that even the wise die, the fool and the stupid alike must perish and leave their wealth to others. 11 Their graves are their homes for ever, their dwelling places to all generations, though they named lands their own. 12 Man cannot abide in his pomp, he is like the beasts that perish. 13 This is the fate of those who have foolish confidence, the end of those who are pleased with their portion. [Selah] 14 Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; Death shall be their shepherd; straight to the grave they descend, and their form shall waste away; Sheol shall be their home.
16 Be not afraid when one becomes rich, when the glory of his house increases. 17 For when he dies he will carry nothing away; his glory will not go down after him. 18 Though, while he lives, he counts himself happy, and though a man gets praise when he does well for himself, 19 he will go to the generation of his fathers, who will never more see the light. 20 Man cannot abide in his pomp, he is like the beasts that perish.
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Today's translation is the RSV, 1952. Hebrew original is here.
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Photos:
1. "David menagen" by Gavriel Ben-Haim, was at Mamilla mall exhibit.
2. A tombstone in the Christian cemetery in Jerusalem's German Colony.
More exactly, the Hebrew means"But God will redeem my life from the clutches of Sheol, for He will take me."
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Sunday, November 6, 2011
Of harps and horses
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For Robert's 33rd PsalmChallenge at Daily Athens, here is Psalm 33.
1 Rejoice in the LORD, O you righteous! Praise befits the upright. 2 Praise the LORD with the lyre, make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!
3 Sing to him a new song, play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.
4 For the word of the LORD is upright; and all his work is done in faithfulness. 5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.
6 By the word of the LORD the heavens were made, and all their host by the breath of his mouth. 7 He gathered the waters of the sea as in a bottle; he put the deeps in storehouses. 8 Let all the earth fear the LORD, let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! 9 For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood forth.
10 The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nought; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. 11 The counsel of the LORD stands for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations. 12 Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!
13 The LORD looks down from heaven, he sees all the sons of men; 14 from where he sits enthroned he looks forth on all the inhabitants of the earth, 15 he who fashions the hearts of them all, and observes all their deeds.
16 A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. 17 The war horse is a vain hope for victory, and by its great might it cannot save.
18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, 19 that he may deliver their soul from death, and keep them alive in famine. 20 Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and shield. 21 Yea, our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. 22 Let thy steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in thee. .
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Today I used the RSV, but the Hebrew with old English translation is at Mechon Mamre.
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Photos:
Window of Ps. 33 at the Great Synagogue, Jerusalem.
"David's Harp" by Shaul Baz, was at Mamilla mall exhibit.
"The creation of Man--sound of silence" by Betty Wachsstock Schonfeld, was as Mamilla. It is worthwhile enlarging this photo to see how Adam is stepping out of a block.
Ottoman Turkish soldier on horseback, Museum of Islamic Art Jerusalem.
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For Robert's 33rd PsalmChallenge at Daily Athens, here is Psalm 33.
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4 For the word of the LORD is upright; and all his work is done in faithfulness. 5 He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.
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13 The LORD looks down from heaven, he sees all the sons of men; 14 from where he sits enthroned he looks forth on all the inhabitants of the earth, 15 he who fashions the hearts of them all, and observes all their deeds.
16 A king is not saved by his great army; a warrior is not delivered by his great strength. 17 The war horse is a vain hope for victory, and by its great might it cannot save.
18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, 19 that he may deliver their soul from death, and keep them alive in famine. 20 Our soul waits for the LORD; he is our help and shield. 21 Yea, our heart is glad in him, because we trust in his holy name. 22 Let thy steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in thee. .
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Today I used the RSV, but the Hebrew with old English translation is at Mechon Mamre.
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Photos:
Window of Ps. 33 at the Great Synagogue, Jerusalem.
"David's Harp" by Shaul Baz, was at Mamilla mall exhibit.
"The creation of Man--sound of silence" by Betty Wachsstock Schonfeld, was as Mamilla. It is worthwhile enlarging this photo to see how Adam is stepping out of a block.
Ottoman Turkish soldier on horseback, Museum of Islamic Art Jerusalem.
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Labels:
David,
Genesis,
horse,
Islamic Art Museum,
Psalms,
stained glass windows
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Understanding the desert images
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When one needs strength, consolation, encouragement, hope, or help--the 23rd Psalm is the best psalm to know by heart.
Or so I have found in times and places that I was lost.
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Since today's psalm is already so well-known, I want to do something a little different for Robert's weekly PsalmChallenge. I want to recommend a book.
You can enlarge the photo and read a sample.
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The book is a must for those who have never walked Israel's deserts or never herded sheep and goats (I have done both, but I still need this book!).
-- This because so much of the imagery of David, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, and other prophets and sages assumes an understanding of such things.
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As the dust jacket says
Each chapter bears the name of a verse from Psalm 23.
For example
There are three in his Biblical Heritage series.
He also founded Neot Kedumim, the only Biblical Landscape Reserve in the world.
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Enjoy the Neot Kedumim website.
You can order the book there too. I would be lost without it.
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PSALM 23
1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
When one needs strength, consolation, encouragement, hope, or help--the 23rd Psalm is the best psalm to know by heart.
Or so I have found in times and places that I was lost.
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Since today's psalm is already so well-known, I want to do something a little different for Robert's weekly PsalmChallenge. I want to recommend a book.
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The book is a must for those who have never walked Israel's deserts or never herded sheep and goats (I have done both, but I still need this book!).
-- This because so much of the imagery of David, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Isaiah, and other prophets and sages assumes an understanding of such things.
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As the dust jacket says
One of the Bible's best-known and best-loved psalms begins with the words of the young David: "The Lord is my shepherd" (23:1). The experiences of David as a shepherd in the Judean Desert affected the imagery of his psalms, his escapes from the pursuit of Saul, and even the judgments he rendered as king.
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For example
Chapter IV "Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me."The late great Nogah Hareuveni, of blessed memory, wrote Desert and Shepherd in Our Biblical Heritage several decades ago.
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Terrifying cliffs and canyons
. An arid land, a land of the shadow of death
A land of darkness
Cliff and fortress
. Rock of Ages
The shepherd's staff
There are three in his Biblical Heritage series.
He also founded Neot Kedumim, the only Biblical Landscape Reserve in the world.
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Enjoy the Neot Kedumim website.
You can order the book there too. I would be lost without it.
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PSALM 23
1The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
2He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.
3He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.
4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
5Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.
6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.
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Sunday, May 29, 2011
A king and his harp
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Our weekly group of Psalm-illustrating bloggers is slowly growing.
Thanks to Robert at Daily Athens PsalmChallenge for getting us started and keeping us going.
You too are welcome to try it once or twice or 150 times.
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Psalm 21
1 In your strength the king rejoices, O Lord, and in your help how greatly he exults! 2 You have given him his heart's desire, and have not withheld the request of his lips. (Selah) 3 For you meet him with rich blessings; you set a crown of fine gold on his head.
4 He asked you for life; you gave it to him— length of days forever and ever. 5 His glory is great through your help; splendor and majesty you bestow on him. 6 You bestow on him blessings forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence. 7 For the king trusts in the Lord, and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.
.8 Your hand will find out all your enemies; your right hand will find out those who hate you. 9 You will make them like a fiery furnace when you appear. The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath, and fire will consume them. 10 You will destroy their offspring from the earth, and their children from among humankind. 11 If they plan evil against you, if they devise mischief, they will not succeed. 12 For you will put them to flight; you will aim at their faces with your bows. .
13 Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength! We will sing and praise your power. .
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Photos--
Statues at Mamilla Mall Bible Stories exhibit:
"David" by Avri Regev
"David BaRuach" by Gavriel Ben-Haim, inspired by I Samuel 16:23 -- "And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took the harp, and played with his hand; so Saul found relief, and it was well with him, and the evil spirit departed from him."
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Our weekly group of Psalm-illustrating bloggers is slowly growing.
Thanks to Robert at Daily Athens PsalmChallenge for getting us started and keeping us going.
You too are welcome to try it once or twice or 150 times.
.
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1 In your strength the king rejoices, O Lord, and in your help how greatly he exults! 2 You have given him his heart's desire, and have not withheld the request of his lips. (Selah) 3 For you meet him with rich blessings; you set a crown of fine gold on his head.
4 He asked you for life; you gave it to him— length of days forever and ever. 5 His glory is great through your help; splendor and majesty you bestow on him. 6 You bestow on him blessings forever; you make him glad with the joy of your presence. 7 For the king trusts in the Lord, and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.
.8 Your hand will find out all your enemies; your right hand will find out those who hate you. 9 You will make them like a fiery furnace when you appear. The Lord will swallow them up in his wrath, and fire will consume them. 10 You will destroy their offspring from the earth, and their children from among humankind. 11 If they plan evil against you, if they devise mischief, they will not succeed. 12 For you will put them to flight; you will aim at their faces with your bows. .
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Photos--
Statues at Mamilla Mall Bible Stories exhibit:
"David" by Avri Regev
"David BaRuach" by Gavriel Ben-Haim, inspired by I Samuel 16:23 -- "And it came to pass, when the evil spirit from God was upon Saul, that David took the harp, and played with his hand; so Saul found relief, and it was well with him, and the evil spirit departed from him."
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Sunday, May 8, 2011
David, a warrior king and psalmist
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Psalm 18 is full of action and great word images but it is a long one.Like teachers used to say, "I won't take off any points or give you demerits" if you don't read every verse. ;-)
But I don't feel right about censoring or shortening it.
So here is the whole poem, joining Robert of Daily Athens' PsalmChallenge.
The original Hebrew and an older translation is here.
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1. For the leader -- of David, the servant of the LORD who addressed the words of this song to the LORD after the LORD had saved him from the grip of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul,
2. and he said: I adore You, O LORD, my strength,
3. O LORD, my crag, my fortress, my deliverer, my God, my rock in whom I take refuge, my shield, the source of my rescue, my haven.
4. Praised I called the LORD and was rescued from my enemies.
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8. The earth rocked and quaked; the foundations of the mountains shook, they were rocked by His indignation;
9. smoke went up from His nostrils, consuming fire from His mouth; coals blazed forth from Him.
10. He bent the heavens and came down, thick cloud beneath His feet.
11. He mounted a cherub and flew, soaring on the wings of the wind.
12. He makes darkness His screen; encircling Him, His pavilion—dark water masses, sky-high clouds.
13. Out of the brilliance before Him, His clouds passed, hail and fiery coals.
14. The LORD thundered from heaven, the Most High gave forth His voice—hail and fiery coals.
15. He sent forth His arrows and scattered them; He discharged lightning and routed them.
16. The watercourses were exposed; the foundations of the world were laid bare by Your mighty roaring, O LORD, at the blast of the wind from Your nostrils.
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18. He saves me from my fierce enemy, from foes too strong for me.
19. They confront me on the day of my calamity, but the LORD is my support.
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22. for I have kept to the ways of the LORD and have not been guilty before my God;
23. for all of His rules are before me; His laws I do not disregard.
24. I have been blameless toward Him, and have kept myself from sinning;
25. and the LORD has requited me according to my righteousness, the cleanness of my hands in His eyes.
26. With the loyal, You deal loyally; with the blameless man, You are blameless.
27. With the pure, You act purely, and with the perverse, You are wily.
28. It is You who rescue lowly people, but haughty eyes You humble.
29. It is You who light my lamp; the LORD, my God, lights up my darkness.
30. It is with You that I can rush a barrier; with my God I can vault a wall.
31. God—His way is pure; the word of the LORD is perfect; He is a shield to all who seek refuge in Him.
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33. the God who girds me with might, who makes my way blameless;
34. who makes my feet like a deer’s, and makes me stand on the heights;
35. who trained my hands for battle, having made my arms bend a bow of bronze?
36. You have given me the shield of Your rescue, Your right hand sustains me, Your care makes me great.
37. You free my stride beneath me; my feet have not slipped.
38. I pursue my enemies and overtake them; I do not turn back until they are destroyed.
39. I smash them, and they can rise no more; they lay beneath my feet.
40. You have girded me with strength for battle, making those who rise against me bow beneath me,
41. and my enemies You made turn tail before me. My foes I wiped out.
42. They cry out―there is none to rescue; to the LORD―He did not answer them.
43. I grind them fine as windswept dust; as dirt of the streets I tread them flat.
44. You rescue me from the strife of people; You set me at the head of nations; a people I knew not serve me.
45. As soon as an ear hears, they listen to me; foreigners cower before me;
46. foreigners lose courage, and come trembling out of their strongholds.
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48. the God who has vindicated me and made peoples subject beneath me,
49. who delivers me from my enemies, who exalts me above those who rise against me, saving me from a violent man.
50. For this I sing Your praise among the nations, LORD, and offer hymns to Your name: 51. He accords great rescues to His king, keeps faith with His anointed, with David and his offspring forever.
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Photos:
A giant rope in an apartment stairwell
Fallen rocks in Nahal David, near the Dead Sea
Wind whipping up the Sea of Galilee
The Judean Desert
Grandson Dean, Science Museum, Jerusalem, 2007
Ibex at Ein Gedi
King David near David's Tomb, Mt. Zion
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