BIBLE – OLD TESTAMENT – Page 2

The Bible – Old Testament

Psalms

Index

Int. 1. 2. … 144. 145. 146. … 149. 150.

Chapter 145

1 ¹ Praise. Of David. I will extol you, my God and king; I will bless your name forever.

2 Every day I will bless you; I will praise your name forever.

3 Great is the LORD and worthy of high praise; God’s grandeur is beyond understanding.

4 One generation praises your deeds to the next and proclaims your mighty works.

5 They speak of the splendor of your majestic glory, tell of your wonderful deeds.

6 They speak of your fearsome power and attest to your great deeds.

7 They publish the renown of your abounding goodness and joyfully sing of your justice.

8 The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love.

9 The LORD is good to all, compassionate to every creature.

10 All your works give you thanks, O LORD and your faithful bless you.

11 They speak of the glory of your reign and tell of your great works,

12 Making known to all your power, the glorious splendor of your rule.

13 Your reign is a reign for all ages, your dominion for all generations. The LORD is trustworthy in every word, and faithful in every work.

14 The LORD supports all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.

15 The eyes of all look hopefully to you; you give them their food in due season.

16 You open wide your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

17 You, LORD, are just in all your ways, faithful in all your works.

18 You, LORD, are near to all who call upon you, to all who call upon you in truth.

19 You satisfy the desire of those who fear you; you hear their cry and save them.

20 You, LORD, watch over all who love you, but all the wicked you destroy.

21 My mouth will speak your praises, LORD; all flesh will bless your holy name forever.

1 [Psalm 145] A hymn in acrostic form; every verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Acrostic poems usually do not develop ideas but consist rather of loosely connected statements. The singer invites all to praise God (⇒ Psalm 145:1-3, ⇒ 21). The “works of God” make God present and invite human praise (⇒ Psalm 145:4-7); they climax in a confession (⇒ Psalm 145:8-9). God’s mighty acts show forth divine kingship (⇒ Psalm 145:10-20), a major theme in the literature of early Judaism and in Christianity.

The Bible – Old Testament

Psalms

Index

Int. 1. 2. … 144. 145. 146. … 149. 150.

Psalms – Chapter 118

The Bible – Old Testament Psalms Index Int. 1. 2. … 117. 118. 119. … 149. 150. Chapter 118 1 1 Give thanks to the LORD, who is good, whose love endures forever. 2 Let the house of Israel say: God’s love endures forever. 3 Let the house of Aaron say, God’s love endures forever. 4 Let those who fear the LORD say, God’s love endures forever. 5 In danger I called on the LORD; the LORD answered me and set me free. 6 The LORD is with me; I am not afraid; what can mortals do against me? 7 The LORD is with me as… Continue reading Psalms – Chapter 118

The Bible – Old Testament

Psalms

Index

Int. 1. 2. 3. … 7. 8. 9. … 148. 149. 150.

Chapter 8

1 ¹ ² For the leader; “upon the gittith.” A psalm of David.

2 O LORD, our Lord, how awesome is your name through all the earth! You have set your majesty above the heavens!

3 ³ Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have drawn a defense against your foes, to silence enemy and avenger.

4 When I see your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and stars that you set in place –

5 ⁴ What are humans that you are mindful of them, mere mortals that you care for them?

6 ⁵ Yet you have made them little less than a god, crowned them with glory and honor.

7 You have given them rule over the works of your hands, put all things at their feet:

8 All sheep and oxen, even the beasts of the field,

9 The birds of the air, the fish of the sea, and whatever swims the paths of the seas.

10 O LORD, our Lord, how awesome is your name through all the earth!

1 [Psalm 8] While marvelling at the limitless grandeur of God (⇒ Psalm 8:2-3), the psalmist is struck first by the smallness of human beings in creation (⇒Psalm 8:4-5), and then by the royal dignity and power that God has graciously bestowed upon them (⇒ Psalm 8:6-9).

2 [1] Upon the gittith: probably the title of the melody to which the psalm was to be sung or a musical instrument.

3 [3] Babes and infants: the text is obscure. Some join this line to the last line of ⇒ Psalm 8:2 (itself obscure) to read: “(you) whose majesty is exalted above the heavens / by the mouths of babes and infants.” Drawn a defense: some prefer the Septuagint’s “fashioned praise,” which is quoted in ⇒ Matthew 21:16. Enemy and avenger: probably cosmic enemies. The primeval powers of watery chaos are often personified in poetic texts (⇒ Psalm 74:13-14; ⇒ 89:11; ⇒ Job 9:13; ⇒ 26:12-13; Isaiah 51,9).

4 [5] Humans . . . mere mortals: literally, “(mortal) person”. . . “son of man (in sense of a human being, Hebrew ‘adam).” The emphasis is on the fragility and mortality of human beings to whom God has given great dignity.

5 [6] Little less than a god: Hebrew ‘elohim, the ordinary word for “God” or “the gods” or members of the heavenly court. The Greek version translated ‘elohim by “angel, messenger”; several ancient and modern versions so translate. The meaning seems to be that God created human beings almost at the level of the beings in the heavenly world. ⇒ Hebrews 2:9 finds the eminent fulfillment of this verse in Jesus Christ, who was humbled before being glorified. Cf also ⇒ 1 Cor 15:27 where St. Paul applies to Christ the closing words of ⇒ Psalm 8:7.

The Bible – Old Testament

Psalms

Index

Int. 1. 2. 3. … 7. 8. 9. … 148. 149. 150.

Proverbs – Chapter 8

The Bible – Old Testament Proverbs Index Int. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. Chapter 8 1 1 Does not Wisdom call, and Understanding raise her voice? 2 On the top of the heights along the road, at the crossroads she takes her… Continue reading Proverbs – Chapter 8

Psalms – Chapter 115

The Bible – Old Testament Psalms Index Int. 1. 2. … 114. 115. 116. … 149. 150. Chapter 115 1 1 Not to us, LORD, not to us but to your name give glory because of your faithfulness and love. 2 2 Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” 3 Our God is in heaven; whatever God wills is done. 4 Their idols are silver and gold, the work of human hands. 5 They have mouths but do not speak, eyes but do not see. 6 They have ears but… Continue reading Psalms – Chapter 115

Ezekiel – Chapter 36

The Bible – Old Testament Ezekiel Index Int. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48. Chapter 36 1 As for you, son of man, prophesy to the mountains of Israel: Mountains of Israel, hear the word of the LORD! 2 Thus says the Lord GOD: Because the enemy has said of you,… Continue reading Ezekiel – Chapter 36

Psalms – Chapter 22

The Bible – Old Testament Psalms Index Int. 1. 2. 3. … 21. 22. 23. … 149. 150. Chapter 22 1 1 2 For the leader; according to “The deer of the dawn.” A psalm of David. 2 My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why so far from my call for help, from my cries of anguish? 3 My God, I call by day, but you do not answer; by night, but I have no relief. 4 Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One;… Continue reading Psalms – Chapter 22

The Bible – Old Testament

Isaiah

Index

Int. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. 12.

13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. 22.

23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. 32. 33.

34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39. 40. 41. 42. 43. 44.

45. 46. 47. 48. 49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55.

56. 57. 58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66.

Chapter 6

1 ¹ ² In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, with the train of his garment filling the temple.

2 Seraphim were stationed above; each of them had six wings: with two they veiled their faces, with two they veiled their feet, and with two they hovered aloft.

3 “Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts!” they cried one to the other. “All the earth is filled with his glory!”

4 ³ At the sound of that cry, the frame of the door shook and the house was filled with smoke.

5 ⁴ Then I said, “Woe is me, I am doomed! For I am a man of unclean lips, living among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”

6 Then one of the seraphim flew to me, holding an ember which he had taken with tongs from the altar.

7 ⁵ He touched my mouth with it. “See,” he said, “now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged.”

8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? Who will go for us?” “Here I am,” I said; “send me!”

9 ⁶ And he replied: Go and say to this people: Listen carefully, but you shall not understand! Look intently, but you shall know nothing!

10 You are to make the heart of this people sluggish, to dull their ears and close their eyes; Else their eyes will see, their ears hear, their heart understand, and they will turn and be healed.

11 “How long, O Lord?” I asked. And he replied: Until the cities are desolate, without inhabitants, Houses, without a man, and the earth is a desolate waste.

12 ⁷ Until the LORD removes men far away, and the land is abandoned more and more.

13 If there be still a tenth part in it, then this in turn shall be laid waste; As with a terebinth or an oak whose trunk remains when its leaves have fallen. (Holy offspring is the trunk.)

1 [1-3] Temple: the holy place, just in front of the holy of holies. Seraphim: literally “the burning ones,” are celestial beings who surround the throne of God. Each has six wings. Reverence for the divine majesty causes them to veil their faces with two wings; modesty, to veil their extremities in similar fashion; alacrity in God’s service, to extend two wings in preparation for flight. Holy, holy, holy: God’s perfect interior holiness whose exterior manifestation is his glory. These words are found in the Roman liturgy just before the Canon of the Mass.

2 [1] In the year King Uzziah died: 742 B.C.

3 [4] Smoke: reminiscent of the clouds which surrounded God at Mount Sinai; cf ⇒ Exodus 19:16-19; ⇒ Deut 4:11, ⇒ 12.

4 [5] Doomed: it was popularly believed that to see God would lead to one’s death; cf ⇒ Genesis 32:31; ⇒ Exodus 33:20; ⇒ Judges 13:22.

5 [7] Touched your lips: Isaiah is thus symbolically purified to be worthy of his vocation as God’s prophet. In the Roman liturgy, the celebrant at Mass makes reference to this incident just before he reads the gospel.

6 [9-10] The truth that the nation will remain impenitent is vividly foretold, as if its obstinacy would be caused, instead of merely occasioned, by the prophet’s warning. Cf ⇒ Matthew 13:13-15; ⇒ Mark 4:12; ⇒ Luke 8:10.

7 [12] Several limited deportations in the time of Isaiah would later culminate in the Babylonian exile.

Index

Int. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11.

12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21.

22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. 30.

31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. 39.

40. 41. 42. 43. 44. 45. 46. 47. 48.

49. 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. 55. 56. 57.

58. 59. 60. 61. 62. 63. 64. 65. 66.

The Bible – Old Testament

Psalms

Index

Int. 1. 2. 3. … 96. 97. 98. … 149. 150.

Chapter 97

1 ¹ The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many islands be glad.

2 Cloud and darkness surround the Lord; justice and right are the foundation of his throne.

3 Fire goes before him; everywhere it consumes the foes.

4 Lightning illumines the world; the earth sees and trembles.

5 The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.

6 The heavens proclaim God’s justice; all peoples see his glory.

7 ² All who serve idols are put to shame, who glory in worthless things; all gods bow down before you.

8 Zion hears and is glad, and the cities of Judah rejoice because of your judgments, O LORD.

9 You, LORD, are the Most High over all the earth, exalted far above all gods.

10 The LORD loves those who hate evil, protects the lives of the faithful, rescues them from the hand of the wicked.

11 Light dawns for the just; gladness, for the honest of heart.

12 Rejoice in the LORD, you just, and praise his holy name.

1 [Psalm 97] The hymn begins with God appearing in a storm, a traditional picture of some ancient Near Eastern gods (⇒ Psalm 97:1-6); cf ⇒ Psalm 18:8-16; ⇒ Micah 1:3-4; ⇒ Hebrews 3:3-15. Israel rejoices in the overthrowing of idol worshipers and their gods (⇒ Psalm 97:7-9) and the rewarding of the faithful righteous (⇒ Psalm 97:10-12).

2 [7] All gods: divine beings thoroughly subordinate to Israel’s God. The Greek translates “angels,” an interpretation adopted by ⇒ Hebrews 1

The Bible – Old Testament

Psalms

Index

Int. 1. 2. 3. … 96. 97. 98. … 149. 150.

Psalms – Chapter 86

The Bible – Old Testament Psalms Index Int. 1. 2. 3. … 85. 86. 87. … 149. 150. Chapter 86 1 A prayer of David. 1 Hear me, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and oppressed. 2 Preserve my life, for I am loyal; save your servant who trusts in you. 3 You are my God; pity me, Lord; to you I call all the day. 4 Gladden the soul of your servant; to you, Lord, I lift up my soul. 5 Lord, you are kind and forgiving, most loving to all who call on you. 6… Continue reading Psalms – Chapter 86

The Bible – Old Testament

Psalms

Index

Chapter 145

1

1 Praise. Of David. I will extol you, my God and king; I will bless your name forever.

2

Every day I will bless you; I will praise your name forever.

3

Great is the LORD and worthy of high praise; God’s grandeur is beyond understanding.

4

One generation praises your deeds to the next and proclaims your mighty works.

5

They speak of the splendor of your majestic glory, tell of your wonderful deeds.

6

They speak of your fearsome power and attest to your great deeds.

7

They publish the renown of your abounding goodness and joyfully sing of your justice.

8

The LORD is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in love.

9

The LORD is good to all, compassionate to every creature.

10

All your works give you thanks, O LORD and your faithful bless you.

11

They speak of the glory of your reign and tell of your great works,

12

Making known to all your power, the glorious splendor of your rule.

13

Your reign is a reign for all ages, your dominion for all generations. The LORD is trustworthy in every word, and faithful in every work.

14

The LORD supports all who are falling and raises up all who are bowed down.

15

The eyes of all look hopefully to you; you give them their food in due season.

16

You open wide your hand and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

17

You, LORD, are just in all your ways, faithful in all your works.

18

You, LORD, are near to all who call upon you, to all who call upon you in truth.

19

You satisfy the desire of those who fear you; you hear their cry and save them.

20

You, LORD, watch over all who love you, but all the wicked you destroy.

21

My mouth will speak your praises, LORD; all flesh will bless your holy name forever.

The Bible – Old Testament

Psalms

Index

Int. 1. 2. … 144. 145. 146. … 149. 150.

The Bible – Old Testament

Psalms

Index

Chapter 8

1

1 2 For the leader; “upon the gittith.” A psalm of David.

2

O LORD, our Lord, how awesome is your name through all the earth! You have set your majesty above the heavens!

3

3 Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have drawn a defense against your foes, to silence enemy and avenger.

4

When I see your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and stars that you set in place –

5

4 What are humans that you are mindful of them, mere mortals that you care for them?

6

5 Yet you have made them little less than a god, crowned them with glory and honor.

7

You have given them rule over the works of your hands, put all things at their feet:

8

All sheep and oxen, even the beasts of the field,

9

The birds of the air, the fish of the sea, and whatever swims the paths of the seas.

10

O LORD, our Lord, how awesome is your name through all the earth!

1 [Psalm 8] While marvelling at the limitless grandeur of God (⇒ Psalm 8:2-3), the psalmist is struck first by the smallness of human beings in creation (⇒Psalm 8:4-5), and then by the royal dignity and power that God has graciously bestowed upon them (⇒ Psalm 8:6-9).

2 [1] Upon the gittith: probably the title of the melody to which the psalm was to be sung or a musical instrument.

4 [5] Humans . . . mere mortals: literally, “(mortal) person”. . . “son of man (in sense of a human being, Hebrew ‘adam).” The emphasis is on the fragility and mortality of human beings to whom God has given great dignity.

The Bible – Old Testament

Psalms

Index

¹ Praise. Of David. I will extol you, my God and king; I will bless your name forever.

¹ ² For the leader; “upon the gittith.” A psalm of David.

³ Out of the mouths of babes and infants you have drawn a defense against your foes, to silence enemy and avenger.

⁴ What are humans that you are mindful of them, mere mortals that you care for them?

⁵ Yet you have made them little less than a god, crowned them with glory and honor.

¹ ² In the year King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a high and lofty throne, with the train of his garment filling the temple.

³ At the sound of that cry, the frame of the door shook and the house was filled with smoke.

⁴ Then I said, “Woe is me, I am doomed! For I am a man of unclean lips, living among a people of unclean lips; yet my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts!”

⁵ He touched my mouth with it. “See,” he said, “now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged.”

⁶ And he replied: Go and say to this people: Listen carefully, but you shall not understand! Look intently, but you shall know nothing!

⁷ Until the LORD removes men far away, and the land is abandoned more and more.

¹ The LORD is king; let the earth rejoice; let the many islands be glad.