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    Bible Wisdom: PSALMS of Praise & Power Newly Translated from the Greek Old Testament
    Bible Wisdom: PSALMS of Praise & Power Newly Translated from the Greek Old Testament
    Bible Wisdom: PSALMS of Praise & Power Newly Translated from the Greek Old Testament
    Ebook288 pages7 hours

    Bible Wisdom: PSALMS of Praise & Power Newly Translated from the Greek Old Testament

    By John Howard Reid

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    About this ebook

    How many Psalms are there in the Bible? Nobody knows. Psalms are scattered all through the Old Testament, but this new translation is concerned only with the Psalms in the Biblical book of that title. Even here, however, the actual number is uncertain. Some Psalms have been duplicated, some have been joined together, others split apart. Most Bibles number the Psalms from 1 to 150. Which numbers correspond to which Psalms, however, differs from Protestant to Catholic and Orthodox versions. For easy reference, both numbers are used in this book. And when Psalms that have been split apart are joined back together, this also is clearly indicated. Disregarding duplications and material that fails to qualify as either powerful or praiseworthy, 84 uplifting Psalms are given new life and meaning in this inspired and inspiring translation from the ancient Greek Old Testament, the Septuagint. Neither the original meaning nor the poetry is lost or diluted, for each selected Psalm is rendered in both a literal translation and a more poetic paraphrase. The book is thus divided into two sections. In the First Section, we find a literal English translation from the Greek Septuagint Bible. In Section Two, however, the aim has been to write a more poetic paraphrase. The Psalms are poems after all! Needless to say, there is no difference in meaning between the two versions, and most readers prefer the more literal interpretations. In actual fact, however, there is very little to mark the changes between the literal translation and the paraphrase. On some occasions, a paraphrase can not only be more inspiring but even more accurate than a literal rendering. Here's one way to discover this truth for yourself!

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherJohn Howard Reid
    Release dateApr 7, 2011
    ISBN9781458010537
    Bible Wisdom: PSALMS of Praise & Power Newly Translated from the Greek Old Testament
    Author

    John Howard Reid

    Author of over 100 full-length books, of which around 60 are currently in print, John Howard Reid is the award-winning, bestselling author of the Merryll Manning series of mystery novels, anthologies of original poetry and short stories, translations from Spanish and Ancient Greek, and especially books of film criticism and movie history. Currently chief judge for three of America's leading literary contests, Reid has also written the textbook, "Write Ways To Win Writing Contests".

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      Book preview

      Bible Wisdom - John Howard Reid

      Bible Wisdom:

      PSALMS

      of Praise & Power

      Selected and newly translated from the

      GREEK OLD TESTAMENT

      John Howard Reid

      ****

      Published by:

      John Howard Reid at Smashwords

      Copyright (c) 2011 by John Howard Reid

      ****

      All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

      Smashwords Edition Licence Notes

      This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy.

      ****

      Original text copyright 2010 by John Howard Reid. All rights reserved.

      Enquiries: johnreid@mail.qango.com

      ****

      Other Books in This Series:

      Bible Wisdom for Modern Times: Selections from the Orthodox Old Testament

      Mark and John: The First and Last Gospels

      --

      Table of Contents

      Psalm 1. True Happiness

      Psalm 2. Honor and Trust

      Psalm 3. Help for David

      Psalm 4. His Face Shines Upon Us

      Psalm 5. God Lives With Us

      Psalm 6. Rely on God’s Love

      Psalm 8. A Wonder-Working God

      Psalm 9. His People’s Champion

      Psalm 9 continued [10].

      Psalm 10 [11]. Behold His Face

      Psalm 11 [12]. God Will Arise

      Psalm 12 [13]. How Long? Never!

      Psalm 14 [15]. Truth

      Psalm 15 [16]. Hope

      Psalm 16 [17]. Virtue

      Psalm 18 [19]. Glory

      Psalm 19 [20]. God Answers Prayer

      Psalm 20 [21]. His Strength Inspires Confidence

      Psalm 21 [22]. Why Have You Forsaken Me?

      Psalm 22 [23]. The Good Shepherd

      Psalm 23 [24]. The World Belongs to God

      Psalm 24 [25]. Prosperity

      Psalm 25 [26]. Upright and Unafraid

      Psalm 26 [27]. My Light and Savior

      Psalm 27 [28]. Prayer

      Psalm 28 [29]. The Voice of God

      Psalm 29 [30]. Sing Praises

      Psalm 30 [31]. Help!

      Psalm 31 [32]. Sins Are Forgiven

      Psalm 32 [33]. The Eyes of God Are Upon Us

      Psalm 33 [34]. Taste and See That the Lord Is Good

      Psalm 35 [36]. Love as High as the Heavens

      Psalm 36 [37]. Evil Withers in the Sun

      Psalm 39 [40]. Behold, I Come!

      Psalm 41 [42] & 42 [43]. A Stream of Cool Water

      Psalm 45 [46]. Our Strength and Shelter

      Psalm 46 [47]. Clap Your Hands!

      Psalm 47 [48]. Great Is the Lord!

      Psalm 48 [49]. A Riddle for Wisdom

      Psalm 49 [50]. All the Cattle on a Thousand Hills

      Psalm 50 [51]. Repentance

      Psalm 51 [52]. Think Yourself a Mighty Man?

      Psalm 53 [54]. The Power of His Name

      Psalm 56 [57]. Mercy

      Psalm 60 [61]. God’s Inheritance

      Psalm 61 [62]. My Glory and Salvation

      Psalm 71 [72]. A Psalm for Solomon

      Psalm 75 [76]. His Verdict

      Psalm 81 [82]. Justice

      Psalm 83 [84]. Truly Blessed

      Psalm 84 [85]. God of Our Salvation

      Psalm 90 [91]. The Lord God, Our Protector

      Psalm 91 [92]. Planted in the House of the Lord

      Psalm 92 [93]. The Lord God Reigns!

      Psalm 95 [96]. Sing to the Lord a New Song!

      Psalm 96 [97]. The Lord God Is King!

      Psalm 97 [98]. Wonderful Things!

      Psalm 98 [99]. He Is Holy!

      Psalm 99 [100]. Make a Joyful Noise!

      Psalm 102 [103]. Bless the Lord, My Soul!

      Psalm 103 [104]. How Great He Is!

      Psalm 111 [112]. Light in the Darkness

      Psalm 112 [113]. Praise the Lord!

      Psalm 114 [115] and Psalm 115 [116]. Deliverance

      Psalm 116 [117]. His Truth Endures Forever!

      Psalm 120 [121]. Nor the Moon by Night

      Psalm 121 [122]. Pray for the Peace of Jerusalem!

      Psalm 125 [126]. He Set the Captives Free!

      Psalm 126 [127]. Did the Lord God Build Your House?

      Psalm 127 [128]. Peace Be Upon Israel!

      Psalm 130 [131]. Arrogance Brought Low

      Psalm 132 [133]. Precious Ointment

      Psalm 133 [134]. Blessings from Zion

      Psalm 137 [138]. Thank You, Lord

      Psalm 138 [139]. He Is Wonderful!

      Psalm 144 [145]. Thank You. Majesty!

      Psalm 145 [146]. Praise the Lord God

      Psalm 146 [147]. God Heals the Broken-Hearted

      Psalm 147. His Word to Jacob

      Psalm 148. Praise Him in the Highest Heavens

      Psalm 149. Sing to the Lord a New Song!

      Psalm 150. Praise!

      Psalm 151. A Psalm of David

      --

      NOTES

      Correct number of Psalms

      Psalms: 4, 5, 16 [17], 24 [25], 31 [32], 39 [40], 48 [49], 49 [50], 50 [51], 71 [72], 125 [126], 148.

      ***

      SELECTED PSALMS

      Section One

      Literal Translations from The Greek Septuagint Bible

      ***

      Psalm 1. True Happiness

      Blessed is the man who has refused to walk

      arm-in-arm with men who deny God.

      This godly man neither seeks the advice of these atheists,

      nor follows the paths that sinners pursue;

      nor does he sit down in the company of evil men—

      their very breath is weighted with pestilence and destruction!

      Instead he joys and delights in the Law of the Lord.

      Meditating on His words, he is elated, comforted and blessed,

      day and night.

      This godly man is indeed most fortunate.

      He shall grow in strength and maturity

      like a giant, wide-spreading fruit tree,

      planted by a brook whose streams of water never fail.

      This huge tree bears abundant delicacies of fruit in due season,

      and its leaves—forever green—never wither or die.

      Truly, the Lord God will positively ensure

      that everything this man does, will prosper.

      On the other hand, prosperity will fail to follow those

      who refuse to honor the Lord God.

      The paths of those who reject Him

      will lead to their own destruction.

      The ungodly will not be saved on Judgment Day,

      nor will any sinners sit in the Lord’s assembly,

      for they are nothing but dust which the Wind sweeps away

      and scatters from the face of the earth.

      --

      Psalm 2. Honor and Trust

      Happy indeed are all who honor

      and trust the Lord, their God.

      So why do people rage against the Lord God?

      Why do whole nations rebel against Him?

      Why do their kings and rulers ally themselves

      against the Lord God and His Messiah?

      Why do they say, "Let’s break the bonds

      that tie us to God! His burdens are too heavy,

      so let’s cast Him off!"

      As God looks down from heaven at these fools,

      He laughs them to scorn

      and mocks at their futile impudence.

      And then in deep anger, the Messiah will address them

      and overwhelm them with His fury:

      "On Zion, on His holy mountain,

      I have been made King by Him, the Lord God Almighty.

      I have declared Myself ready to obey His commandments

      and make them known to all

      "This is what the Lord God said to Me:

      ‘You are My Son.

      Today, I have become your Father.

      Ask, and I will make you master of all the nations,

      and lord over all the lands

      from one end of the earth to the other.’

      "Yes, that is what He said to Me.

      He declared that I should rule the nations with a rod of iron;

      and if it pleased Me, I could smash them into pieces

      like a clay vessel that fell from the potter’s hand!

      "Or I might care for them and tend them as a shepherd.

      The choice is mine!"

      So take heed, you kings! Be prudent!

      Be wise, all you leaders, ministers and judges!

      Serve the Lord God with fear.

      Tremble—and rejoice!

      Accept correction gladly,

      lest the Lord God become angry with you.

      If His wrath is kindled, He will cast you off

      and you will perish surely and suddenly

      as soon as you lose sight of His righteous way.

      But happy are all men

      who love and trust the Lord, their God!

      They will indeed be blessed

      Psalm 3. Help for David

      Why have my enemies been so greatly multiplied, Lord?

      Why do so many rise up against me?

      Why is my soul so afflicted by their taunts

      when they exclaim, "God will not lift a finger to help him!

      There is no deliverance for David!"?

      But you, Lord God, are my rescuer!

      You are my helper, and the source of my glory.

      I cried out to you! I raised my voice

      and you heard me from the top of your holy mountain!

      Am I downcast? No! You glory in me

      and you lift up my head from the ground!

      So confidently I laid myself down and went to sleep;

      and when I awoke, I was even more trustful

      that you, Lord God, would help me.

      Savior is your name!

      I shall not be the least bit afraid

      if even ten thousand enemies surround me

      on every side! You will strike them all down!

      Yes, arise, Lord God! Deliver me!

      My enemies had no cause to come against me.

      They were sinners.

      You have broken their grip

      and utterly destroyed them.

      Deliverance is in the hands of the Lord God,

      and His blessings are always upon His people.

      --

      Psalm 4. His Face Shines Upon Us

      Oh, you foolish, vain, self-centered sons of men,

      why do you love everything that is worthless

      and so earnestly seek after all that is false?

      How long will you be so slow of heart?

      Take stock of your situation: Be angry with yourselves!

      Be angry because you’ve not responded to the Lord God!

      Be angry that you’ve failed to embrace Him in your hearts!

      Resolve right now to respond to His invitation, and repent!

      Resolve right now to place all your trust in Him!

      And in future when you ask,

      Who will shower us with good things?

      you will know for a certainty it is the Lord God

      whose face shines upon us.

      It is the Lord God who puts gladness into our hearts

      and satisfies us with all the fruits of corn and wine and oil.

      You already know that the Lord God

      has done wondrous things for me.

      When I was in trouble, and my enemies surrounded me,

      I called out to Him. He listened to me right away

      and immediately came to my help.

      Why? Because of my righteousness and worthiness,

      He offered me His shelter and guaranteed His protection.

      Now, I am at peace. As soon as I lie down,

      straightaway I go tranquilly to sleep,

      for I know that you, Lord God,

      will always keep me safe and secure.

      --

      Psalm 5. God Lives With Us

      Please listen attentively to my words, Lord God,

      and answer my cries for help.

      You are my king and my God.

      Every morning, I will pray to you,

      and you will hear my voice.

      Earnestly, wisely and with kindness,

      you will consider my pleas and requests.

      So every morning, I will look up to you,

      waiting patiently for your answer.

      I rejoice that I have found favor with you.

      I bow down to you in reverence.

      Thanks to your overwhelming love,

      and the multitude of your mercies,

      a sinner like me can freely enter your sanctuary

      and worship without restraint in your holy temple.

      On the other hand, you allow no evil into your presence.

      You are not a God who is pleased with wrongdoing.

      In fact, you have intense hate for all those who do evil,

      and especially abhor violent, bloodthirsty and deceitful men.

      You will destroy all liars.

      You cannot even stand the sight of those fools

      who are always boasting and mindlessly proud.

      Lord God, please lead me to do your will,

      and make your righteous ways plain for me to follow.

      Lord, I have many enemies.

      Their only desire is to destroy.

      Their hearts lie full of vanities and rottenness.

      Their tongues are laced with deceit,

      and their mouths gape like open graves.

      Although their words are often smooth and deceptive,

      whatever they say can never be trusted.

      Condemn them and punish them, Lord God!

      Consider the abundance of their many sins,

      the way they blithely continue to provoke you,

      their deliberate disobedience,

      and open rebellion against you.

      Throw them out of your presence,

      and cause their evil plans to fail!

      But let all those who trust in you,

      be glad and joyful in your presence!

      For you protect all those who love you.

      You bless all those who obey you.

      And all who find safety in you will rejoice.

      Yes, we that love your name

      shall always sing and dance in your presence!

      You surround us with a shield of favor

      which makes us truly happy!

      Yes, you crown us with such infinite joy,

      for you Yourself shall dwell right among us,

      and we will rejoice in your loving presence forever.

      --

      Psalm 6. Rely on God’s Love

      All night I soak my pillow with tears,

      drenching my whole bed with my weeping.

      I am worn out with sorrow.

      Because of my grief, my eyes can no longer see clearly

      and my limbs refuse to function.

      I have aged with worry and distress.

      It is the doing of all my enemies.

      Because of them, I have grown old.

      Depart from me, all you wicked, evil men!

      The Lord God has heard my broken cries.

      He has hearkened to my tears,

      received my prayers, and answered my pleas for help.

      May all my enemies be ashamed and deeply troubled.

      Lord, make them turn away from evil.

      Speedily put them to shame, Lord God.

      Rebuke them in your anger;

      and in your fiery displeasure, discipline and chasten them!

      Lord God, have mercy upon me and be gracious to me,

      for I am weak, faint and have withered away.

      Lord, please heal me, for my bones are brittle,

      enfeebled, and slow to obey my will.

      My soul, as well as my body,

      is exceedingly troubled and disturbed.

      Why do you delay, dear Lord?

      How long will you keep me waiting?

      Return to me, Lord God,

      embrace my soul, and save my life.

      Yes, you will deliver me from my enemies

      because I not only call upon you for mercy,

      but rely on your steadfast love and compassion.

      In death, my body will no longer call upon you at all.

      Who will give you thanks from the grave?

      The Lord God has graciously accepted my prayer.

      He has heard and hearkened to my petition.

      --

      Psalm 8. A Wonder-Working God

      Lord God, you are our wonder-working Lord!

      Your magnificence is exalted above the heavens.

      And your name is rightly held in the highest honor

      and given the mightiest praises throughout the whole world!

      Indeed, perfect praise even comes from the lips

      of babies and young children.

      You have established and perfected our praise

      because we have mutual enemies.

      With the strength of our praises,

      you will put down your enemies

      and rout our avenger.

      When I look up at the heavens

      and marvel at the work of your hands—

      the moon and the stars which you have set in their places—

      I say to myself, "What is man,

      that you are so

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