You led Your people like a flock By the hand of Moses and Aaron.
A Maskil of Asaph. Listen, O my people, to my instruction; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old,
For He established a testimony in Jacob And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers That they should teach them to their children,
And not be like their fathers, A stubborn and rebellious generation, A generation that did not prepare its heart And whose spirit was not faithful to God.
He divided the sea and caused them to pass through, And He made the waters stand up like a heap.
Then He led them with the cloud by day And all the night with a light of fire.
Then they spoke against God; They said, “Can God prepare a table in the wilderness?
Therefore the LORD heard and was full of wrath; And a fire was kindled against Jacob And anger also mounted against Israel,
Thus He remembered that they were but flesh, A wind that passes and does not return.
He sent upon them His burning anger, Fury and indignation and trouble, A band of destroying angels.
He leveled a path for His anger; He did not spare their soul from death, But gave over their life to the plague,
But He led forth His own people like sheep And guided them in the wilderness like a flock;
But turned back and acted treacherously like their fathers; They turned aside like a treacherous bow.
Then the Lord awoke as if from sleep, Like a warrior overcome by wine.
A Psalm of Asaph. O God, the nations have invaded Your inheritance; They have defiled Your holy temple; They have laid Jerusalem in ruins.
We have become a reproach to our neighbors, A scoffing and derision to those around us.
For the choir director; set to El Shoshannim; Eduth. A Psalm of Asaph. Oh, give ear, Shepherd of Israel, You who lead Joseph like a flock; You who are enthroned above the cherubim, shine forth!
You removed a vine from Egypt; You drove out the nations and planted it.
A boar from the forest eats it away And whatever moves in the field feeds on it.
For the choir director; on the Gittith. A Psalm of Asaph. Sing for joy to God our strength; Shout joyfully to the God of Jacob.
Raise a song, strike the timbrel, The sweet sounding lyre with the harp.
For it is a statute for Israel, An ordinance of the God of Jacob.
He established it for a testimony in Joseph When he went throughout the land of Egypt. I heard a language that I did not know:
A Psalm of Asaph. God takes His stand in His own congregation; He judges in the midst of the rulers.
A Song, a Psalm of Asaph. O God, do not remain quiet; Do not be silent and, O God, do not be still.
They have said, “Come, and let us wipe them out as a nation, That the name of Israel be remembered no more.”
For they have conspired together with one mind; Against You they make a covenant:
Assyria also has joined with them; They have become a help to the children of Lot. Selah.
Like fire that burns the forest And like a flame that sets the mountains on fire,
For the choir director; on the Gittith. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. How lovely are Your dwelling places, O LORD of hosts!
The bird also has found a house, And the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, Even Your altars, O LORD of hosts, My King and my God.
Passing through the valley of Baca they make it a spring; The early rain also covers it with blessings.
For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand outside. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God Than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For the LORD God is a sun and shield; The LORD gives grace and glory; No good thing does He withhold from those who walk uprightly.
For the choir director. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. O LORD, You showed favor to Your land; You restored the captivity of Jacob.
Righteousness will go before Him And will make His footsteps into a way.
A Prayer of David. Incline Your ear, O LORD, and answer me; For I am afflicted and needy.
Preserve my soul, for I am a godly man; O You my God, save Your servant who trusts in You.
O God, arrogant men have risen up against me, And a band of violent men have sought my life, And they have not set You before them.
But You, O Lord, are a God merciful and gracious, Slow to anger and abundant in lovingkindness and truth.
Show me a sign for good, That those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, Because You, O LORD, have helped me and comforted me.
A Psalm of the sons of Korah. A Song. His foundation is in the holy mountains.
A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. For the choir director; according to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite. O LORD, the God of my salvation, I have cried out by day and in the night before You.
I am reckoned among those who go down to the pit; I have become like a man without strength,
A Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite. I will sing of the lovingkindness of the LORD forever; To all generations I will make known Your faithfulness with my mouth.
“I have made a covenant with My chosen; I have sworn to David My servant,
A God greatly feared in the council of the holy ones, And awesome above all those who are around Him?
You have a strong arm; Your hand is mighty, Your right hand is exalted.
All who pass along the way plunder him; He has become a reproach to his neighbors.
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995
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