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PSALMSIntroduction

The Psalms are the prayer of Israel. They are the expression of humanexperience addressed towards God. They are the expression of a peoples lifeimpelledbyGod.Godshistoryisthelifeofthepeople,becausehecreatesandsufferswiththepeople.Allthesewastransformedintoprayers,aliveandvaried,onthehandsofverydifferentauthors.TraditionattributesmanypsalmstokingDavid: it is just a convention, the same as attributing to Solomon the wisdomcompositions. An anonymous chain of poets, throughout centuries is a morerealisticwaytodescribetheauthorsofthesewritings.

Thehymnssingpraisesandtheyareusuallycommunitarian:theirthemesarethe actions of God in creation and history. Close to them is thanksgiving forpersonal or communitarian favors. From needs spring up supplications, sovaried inthemestheprayingpersonmotivateshispetitionsoastoconvinceortomoveGod.At times, from supplications springsupanact of trust, basedonpastexperiencesorinGodspromises.

The sinner confesses his sins and asks for forgiveness in the penitentialpsalms.OtherswecouldcallmeditationsbecausetheydealabouthumanlifeoraboutthehistoryofIsrael.

InwhatfollowswewillgivetheHebraicnumbering,addinginparenthesistheGreco Latin number. The psalms are also privileged prayer of the Christiancommunityaswellasofanindividual.ManypsalmswereprayedbyJesus,thusgivingthemtheplenitudeofmeaninghiddeninthem.

82 O Lord, our Lord,howgreatisyournamethroughouttheearth!Andyourgloryin theheavensabove.

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3 Even the mouths of children and infantsexaltyourgloryinfrontofyourfoesandputtoshameenemiesandrebels.4 When I observe the heavens,theworkofyourhands,themoon and thestarsyousetintheirplace5 what is the mortal that you be mindful of him,thesonofman,thatyoushouldcareforhim?6Yetyoumadehimalittlelowerthantheangelsyouhavecrownedhimwithgloryandhonor.7 You made him rule over the works of your handsyouhaveputallthingsunderhisfeet8sheepandoxenwithoutnumberandeventhebeastsofthefield,9 the birds of the air, the fish of the sea,andallthatswimthepathsoftheocean.10OLord,ourLord,howgreatisyournameallovertheearth!

23(22)1 The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.2 He makes me lie down in green pastures.Heleadsmebesidethestillwaters,3 he restores my soul.Heguidesmethroughtherightpathsforhisnamessake.4 Although I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,Ifearnoevil,foryou arebesideme:yourrodandyourstaffcomfortme.5 You spread a table before meinthepresenceofmyfoes.Youanointmyheadwithoilmycupisoverflowing.

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6 Goodness and kindness will follow meallthedaysofmylife,IshalldwellinthehouseoftheLordaslongasIlive.

24(23)1 The earth and its fullness belong to the Lord,theworldandallthatdwellinit.2 He has founded it upon the oceanandsetitfirmlyuponthewaters.3 Who will ascend the mountain of the Lord?Whowillstandinhisholyplace?4 Those with clean hands and pure heart,whodesirenotwhatisvain,andneversweartoalie.5 They will receive blessings from the Lord,arewardfromGod,theirsavior.6 Such are the people who seek him,whoseekthefaceofJacobsGod.7 Lift up, O gateways, your lintels,openup,youancientdoors,thattheKingofglorymayenter!8 Who is the King of glory?TheLord,thestrong,themighty,theLord,valiantinbattle.9 Lift up your lintels, O gateways,openup,youancientdoors,thattheKingofglorymayenter!10 Who is the King of glory? The Lord of Hosts,

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heistheKingofglory!

32(31)Blessedistheonewhosesinisforgiven,whoseiniquityiswipedaway.2Blessed are thoseinwhomtheLordseesnoguiltandinwhosespiritisfoundnodeceit.3WhenIkeptmysinsecret,mybodywastedaway,Iwasmoaningalldaylong.4Yourhanddayandnightlayheavyuponmedrainingmystrength,parchingmyheartasintheheatofasummerdrought.5ThenImadeknowntoyoumysinanduncoveredbeforeyoumyfault,sayingtomyself,TotheLordIwillnowconfessmywrong.Andyou,youforgavemysin,youremovedmyguilt.6Soletthefaithfulonespraytoyouintimeofdistresstheoverflowingwaterswillnotreachthem.7Youaremyrefugeyouprotectmefromdistressandsurroundmewithsongsofdeliverance.8Iwillteachyou,Iwillshowyouthewaytofollow.Iwillwatchoveryouandgiveyoucounsel.

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51(50)3 Have mercy on me, O God, in your love.Inyourgreatcompassionblotoutmysin.

4Washmethoroughlyofmyguiltcleansemeofevil.

5ForIacknowledgemywrongdoingsandhavemysinseverinmind.6AgainstyoualonehaveIsinnedwhatisevilinyoursightIhavedone.Youarerightwhenyoupasssentenceandblamelessinyourjudgment.

7 For I have been guiltridden from birth,asinnerfrommymotherswomb.8 I know you desire truth in the heart,teachmewisdominmyinmostbeing.9 Cleanse me with hyssop and I shall be clean,washme,Ishallbewhiterthansnow.

10 Fill me with joy and gladnessletthebonesyouhavecrushedrejoice.11 Turn your face away from my sinsandblotoutallmyoffenses.12 Create in me, O God, a pure heartgivemeanewandsteadfastspirit.13 Do not cast me out of your presencenortakeyourholyspiritfromme.14 Give me again the joy of your salvationandsustainmewithawillingspirit.15 Then I will show wrongdoers your waysandsinnerswillreturntoyou.16 Deliver me, O God, from the guilt of blood,andofyourjusticeIshallsingaloud.

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17 O Lord, open my lips,andIwilldeclareyourpraise.18 You take no pleasure in sacrificewereItogiveaburntoffering,youwouldnotdelightinit.19 O God, my sacrifice is a broken spiritacontriteheartyouwillnotdespise.20 Shower Zion with your favor:rebuildthewallsofJerusalem.21 Then you will delight in fitting sacrifices,inburntofferingsandbullsofferedonyouraltar.

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Giveheed,Omypeople,tomyteachinglistentothewordsofmymouth!2 I will speak in parables,Iwilltalkofoldmysteries3 which we have heard and known,whichourancestorshavetoldus.

4 We will not keep them hidden from our childrenwewillannouncethemtothecominggeneration:thegloriousdeedsoftheLord,hismightandthewondershehasdone.

5 He issued decrees for JacobandsetupalawinIsrael,whichhecommandedourancestorstoteachtheirchildren,6 so the next generation would learnandteachtheirownchildren.7 They would then put their trust in God,andnotforgethisdeedsandhiscommands.

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8 And not be like their ancestors,stubbornandrebelliouspeople,apeopleofinconstantheartwhosespiritwasfickle.9 Wellarmed with bow,theEphraimitestookflightwhenthetimecametodobattle.10 It is because they did not keepGodscovenantandrefusedtolivebyhislaw.11 They forgot the marvels he had done,12 what their ancestors had seeninthelandofEgypt,inthefieldsofZoan.13 He divided the sea and led them acrosshemadethewaterstandlikeawall.14 By day he led them with a cloud,andbynightwithafierylight.15 In the desert he split rockstogivethemabundantdrink.16 He made streams come out of a rockandcausedwatertoflowlikeariver.17 Yet they sinned even more against himandrebelledagainsttheMostHighinthedesert.18 They tested God,demandingthefoodtheycraved.19 They blasphemed against God, saying:CanGodspreadatableinthedesert?20 He made water flow out of the rockcanhealsogivehispeoplebreadormeat?21 When the Lord heard this he was enragedafireragedagainstJacob,hisangerflaredagainstIsrael,22 for they had no faith in Godnortrustinhisdeliverance.23 Yet he commanded the skiesaboveandopenedthedoorsofheaven

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24 he rained down manna upon themandfedthemwiththeheavenlygrain.25 They ate and had more than their fillofthebreadofangels.26 Then from heaven he stirred the east wind,andbyhispowerletloosethesouthwind,27 to rain down meat on them like dust.Birdsasthickasthesandontheseashore28 fell inside their camp,lyingallaroundtheirtents.29 They ate till they were satisfied,forhehadgiventhemwhattheycraved.

36 But they flattered him with their mouths,theyliedto himwiththeirtongues,37 while their hearts were unfaithfultheywereuntruetohiscovenant.38 Even then, in his compassion,heforgavetheiroffensesanddidnotdestroythem.Manyatimeherestrainedhisangeranddidnotfullystiruphiswrath.39 He remembered that they were but flesh,abreezethatpassesandneverreturns.40 How often did they rebel against himinthewilderness,howoftendidtheygrievehiminthedesert!

41 Again and again they tested him,andprovokedtheHolyOneofIsrael.42 They did not remember his powerinredeemingthemfromtheoppressor.52 Then he led forth his people like a flock,andguidedthemlikesheepthroughthedesert.53 He led them safely, they did not fear,buttheseaengulfedtheirenemies.54 He brought them to his holy land, to the mountain his right hand had won.

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55 He drove out peoples before themandgavethemthelandastheirinheritancetheypitchedtheirtentsinit.69 He built his sanctuary like heaven,liketheearthhefoundedforever.70 He chose David his servantandtookhimfromthesheepfolds71 from tending the sheep and their young,hebroughthimtoshepherdJacob,thepeopleofIsrael,hisinheritance.72 And with upright heart David pastured themwithskillfulhandsheledthem.

104(103)1 Bless the Lord, my soul!ClothedinmajestyandsplendorOLord,myGod,howgreatyouare!2 You are wrapped in light as with a garmentyoustretchouttheheavenslikeatent,

3 you build your upperrooms above the waters.You makethecloudsyourchariotandrideonthewingsofthewind

4 you make the winds your messengers,andfireandflameyourministers.5 You set the earth on its foundations,andneverwillitbeshaken.6 You covered it with the ocean like a garment,and watersspreadoverthemountains.7 But at your rebuke the waters flee,atthesoundofyourthundertheytaketoflight.

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8 Brought to the mountains, they flow down againtosettleinthevalleys.9Yousetalimittheycouldnotcross,neveragaintofloodtheearth.10Youmakespringsgushforthinvalleyswindingamongmountainsandhills,

11givingdrinktothebeastsofthefield,quenchingthethirstofwilddonkeys.

12Birdsbuildtheirnestsclosebyandsingamongthebranchesoftrees.

13Youwaterthemountainsfromyourabodeandfilltheearthwiththefruitofyourwork.14Youmakegrassgrowforcattleandplantsformantocultivate,thathemaybringforthfoodfromtheearth:

15winetogladdenhisheart,oiltomakehisfaceshine,andbread tomakehimstrong.

16TheLordwatershistreestotheirfill,thecedarsofLebanonwhichheplanted.

17Thebirdsbuildtheirnests,thestorkhasitshomeinthepinetrees.

18Highmountainsareforwildgoats,thecliffsarefugeforbadgers.

19You madethemoontomarktheseasons,andthesunthatknowswhentoset20whenyoubringthedarknessofthenight,allthebeastsoftheforestbegintoprowl:21theyounglionsroaringfortheirpreyclaimingtheirfoodfromGod.

22Whenthesunrises,thebeastsstealaway,returningtorestintheirdens.

23Manthengoesouttohiswork,

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andtoilstilleveningcomes.24HowvariedOLord,areyourworks!Inwisdomyouhavemadethemalltheearthfullofyourcreatures.

25Beholdthesea,wideandvast,teemingwithcountlesscreatures,livingthingsbothgreatandsmall,

26astrangeworldreservedfortheships,forLeviathan,thedragonyoumadetoplaywith.27Theyalllooktoyoufortheirfoodinduetime.28 You give it to them,andtheygatherit upyouopenyourhand,theyarefilledwithgoodthings.

29 When you hide your face they vanish,youtakeawaytheirbreath,theyexpireandreturntodust.30 When you send forth your spirit,theyarecreated,andthefaceoftheearthisrenewed.31 May the glory of the Lord endure forevermaytheLordrejoiceinhisworks!32 He looks on the earth, and it quakeshetouchesthemountain,anditsmokes.33 I will sing to the Lord all my lifeIwillsingpraisetoGodwhileIlive.34 May my song give him pleasure,astheLordgivesmedelight.35 May sinners vanish from the earth,andmaythewickedbenomore.BlesstheLord,mysoul!

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105(104)1 Give thanks to the Lord, call on his namemakeknownhisworksamongthenations.2 Sing to him, sing his praise,proclaimallhiswondrousdeeds.3 Glory in his holy nameletthosewhoseektheLordrejoice.4 Look to the Lord and be strongseekhisfacealways.5 Remember his wonderful works,hismiraclesandhisjudgments,6 you descendants of his servant Abraham,yousonsofJacob,hischosenones!7 He is the Lord our Godhisjudgmentsreachthewholeworld.8 He remembers his covenant forever,hispromisetoathousandgenerations,9thecovenanthemadewithAbraham,thepromisehesworetoIsaac.

10He confirmedhisdecreetoJacob,toIsraelhiseternalcovenant:11ToyouIwillgivethelandofCanaanaspartofyourinheritance.12Whentheywerefewinnumber,strangersintheland,13wanderingfromnationtonation,fromonekingdomtoanother,14heallowednoonetooppressthem,andfortheirsakeherebukedkings:15Touchnotmyanointedones,hewarned,domyprophetsnoharm!16Thenhesentafamineandruinedthecropthatsustainedtheland

17hesentamanaheadofthem,Joseph,

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whowassoldasaslave18hisfeetinshackles,hisneckinirons

19tillwhatheforetoldcametopass,andtheLordswordprovedhimtrue.

20Thekingsentforhim,sethimfree,therulerofthepeoplesreleasedhim.21Heputhiminchargeofhishouseholdandmadehimrulerofallhispossessions,22thathemighttrainhisprincesandteachhiselderswisdom.23ThenIsraelcametoEgypt,JacobsettledinthelandofHam.24TheLordmadehispeoplefruitfulandmuchstrongerthantheirfoes,25whoseheartsheturnedtohatehispeople,todealdeceitfullywithhisservants.

37HeledIsraeloutofthealienland,ladenwithsilverandgold,andnonewereleftbehind.38Egyptwasgladwhentheydeparted,sofilledweretheywithdread.39Hespreadacloudascovering,andfiretogivethemlightatnight.40Theyaskedforfoodhegavethemquailsandfedthemwithbreadfromheaven.41Heopenedtherock,andwatergushedout,flowinglikeariverthroughthedesert.42ForherememberedhispromisetoAbraham,hisservant.

43Soheledforthhispeoplewithjoy,hischosenoneswithsinging.44Hegavethemthelandsofthenations,andletthemtakethefruitofotherstoil,

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45thattheymight keephisstatutesandremainobedienttohislaws.

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Alleluia!1GivethankstotheLord,forheisgood,forhisloveenduresforever.2WhocancounttheLordsmightydeeds,ordeclareallhispraises?3Blessedaretheywhoalwaysdojustand right.4Rememberme,OLord,whenyoushowfavortoyourpeoplerescuemewhenyoudeliverthem5letmeseethetriumphofyourfaithful,letmesharethejoyofyournation,andjoinyourpeopleinpraisingyou.6Wehavesinnedlikeourancestorswehavedonewrongandactedwickedly.7WhentheywereinEgypt,ourancestorshadnoregardforyourwondrousdeedstheyforgottheabundanceofyourlovetheyrebelledagainsttheMostHighbytheSeaofReeds.8Yethesavedthemforhisnames sake,tomakehismightypowerknown.9Herebukedthesea,anditdriedupheledthemthroughthedeepasondryland.10 He saved them from hostility,freeingthemfromthehandoftheenemy.11 Waters covered their pursuers,andnoneofthemwasleft alive.12 Then they believed his promisesandallatoncesanghispraises.13 But soon they forgot his works

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anddidnotwaitforhiscounsel.14 They gave way to wanton cravingandtemptedGodinthedesert.15 He gave them what they wanted,thensentthemawastingdisease.16 In the camp they grew enviousofMosesandAaron,theholyoneoftheLord.17 So the earth opened, swallowed Dathan,andburiedthecompanyofAbiram18 fire broke out against them,burningupthewicked.19 They made a calf at Horebandworshipedthemoltenimage.20 They exchanged the glory of Godfortheimageofabullthateatsgrass.21 They forgot their Savior God,whohaddonegreatthingsinEgypt,22 wonderful works in the land of Ham,andawesomedeedsbytheSeaofReeds.23 So he spoke of destroying them,butMoses,hischosenone,stoodinthebreachbeforehimtoshieldthemfromdestruction.24 Yet they despised the promised land,fortheyhadnofaithinhisword.25 They grumbled in their tentsandwouldnotlistentothevoiceoftheLord.26 So he swore to them with his hand raisedthathewouldletthemperishinthedesert,27 scatter their descendants among the nationsanddispersethemoverthelands.28 They joined the rites of Baalpeorandatesacrificestolifelessgods.29 Their deeds provoked the Lord to anger,andaplaguebrokeoutamongthem.30 But Phinehas stood up and intervened,

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andtheplaguecametoanend.31 This was credited to his uprightness,makinghimrememberedforallages.32 Angered by them at Meribahs waters,theLordtookitoutonMoses33 for the rash words he uttered,whentheyrebelledagainstGod.34 They dared not destroy the pagans,astheLordcommanded35 they mingled with these nationsandlearnedtodoastheydid.36 In serving the idols of the pagans,theyweretrapped37 into sacrificing children to demons,38 shedding the innocent bloodoftheirsonsanddaughterstotheidolsofCanaan,pollutingthecountrywithblood.39 They defiled themselves by what they did,playingtheharlotintheirworship.40 The anger of the Lord grew intenseandheabhorredhisinheritance.41 He handed them over to the nations,andtheirfoesruledthemwitharrogance.42 Brought by the enemy into subjection,theysufferedtheagonyofoppression.43 He delivered them many a time,buttheywentondefyinghimandsinkingdeeperintotheirsin.44 But he heard their cry of afflictionandlookedonthemwithcompassion.45 Remembering his covenant,herelentedfortheirsake,becauseofhisgreatlove.46 He let them be pitied by all thosewhoheldthemcaptive.47 Save us, O Lord, our God,

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gatherusfromamongthenations,thatwemaygivethankstoyouandpraiseyourholyname.

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48 Blessed be the Lord, God of Israel,frometernitytoeternity.Letallthepeoplesay:Amen!PraisetheLord!

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1 Remember David, O Lord,andallhisreadiness.11 The Lord swore to Davidapromise,andhewillremaintruetoit:Iwillkeepyourdescendanceonyourthrone.12 If your sons keep my covenantandthedecreesIhavetaughtthem,theirsons,too,willsitforeveruponyourthrone.13 For the Lord has chosen Zionhehasdesireditforhisdwelling:14 This is my resting place foreverthisIprefer,herewillIdwell.15 I will bless its fruits,itsbread,andthepoorwillbesatisfied.16 I will clothe its priests with gloryanditsfaithfulwillsingingladness.17 From here a savior shall come forth,asonofDavidhereshallshineforeverthelampofmyanointed.18 In shame will I clothe his enemies,butuponhisheadacrownshallshine.

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136(135)1 Alleluia!GivethankstotheLord,forheisgood,hiskindnessenduresforever.2 Give thanks to the God of gods,hiskindnessenduresforever.3 Give thanks to the Lord of lords,hiskindnessenduresforever.4 He alone does great marvels,hiskindnessenduresforever.5 In wisdom he made the heavens,hiskindnessenduresforever.6 He set the earth upon the waters,hiskindnessenduresforever.7 He made the great lights,hiskindnessenduresforever,8 the sun to rule over the day,hiskindnessenduresforever,9 the moon and stars to rule the night,hiskindnessenduresforever.

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1 Alleluia! Praise the Lord from the heavenspraisehimintheheavenlyheights.2Praisehim,allhisangelspraisehim,allhisheavenlyhosts.3Praisehim,sunandmoonpraisehim,allyoushiningstars.4Praisehim,youhighestheavensandyouwatersabovetheskies.

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5LetthempraisethenameoftheLord,atwhosecommandtheyweremade.6Heestablishedthemforeverandgaveeachafixedandlastingduty.7PraisetheLordfromtheearth,youseacreaturesandallthedepths,8 clouds and snow, hail and lightning,stormwindsthatdohisbidding,9 you mountains and all you hills,youfruittreesandcedars,10 you wild beasts and tame animals,youcreepingthingsandwingedfowl.11 Kings of the earth and nations,princesandallrulersoftheworld,12 young men and maidens, old and young together,13 let them praise the name of the Lord.Forhisnamealoneisexaltedhismajestyisaboveearthandheaven.14 He has given his people gloryhehasgivenapraisetohisfaithful,toIsrael,thepeopleclosetohim.Alleluia.