SELAH! LOVING THE PSALMS

Transposed by P. Julian

SELAH! Loving the Psalms

ISBN-13: 9781720960577

ISBN-10: 1720960577

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Selah! Loving the Psalms Full Text

<epigraphs>

Come, my beloved

Let us go to the countryside

Let us spend the night in the villages

Let us go early to the vineyards

To see if the vines have budded

If the grape blossoms have opened

And the pomegranates are in bloom

There I will give you my love.

Song of Songs 7:11-12

King David changed his tune and pretended to be mad to save his life.

As for me, I changed my tune and pretended to be sane to save my life.

Yehuda Amichai

from Psalm 1

Blessed is he who walks not in the counsel of the wicked

Nor stands in the place of the unjust

Nor sits in the seat of cynics

But whose delight is in the law of love

On this law the just meditate both day and night

They will be like trees planted by streams of water

That bring forth their fruit in its season

Whose leaf also does not wither

In whatever they do, those who have love will prosper

The wicked are not so

But are like the chaff which the wind drives away

Therefore the wicked shall not stand in judgement

Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous

For love preserves the way of the righteous

But the way of the wicked shall perish.

from Psalm 12

Help me, my love

For there is not one godly man left

The faithful are vanished from among the children of men

Now everyone lies to their neighbour

They speak with flattering lips

And dissemble in their double hearts

Which have said: with these tongues shall we prevail

Who is Lord over us?

But love shall still every flattering lip

Cut out the tongue that is boastful

Because of the comfortless troubles sake of the needy

And at the deep sighing of the poor

I will arise, says my love

I will set my beloved in safety from those who malign him

The words of love are pure words

Even as the silver that from the earth is tried

And purified seven times in the fire

You will keep them, my love

You will preserve them from this generation forever.

from Psalm 13

How long, my love?

Will you forget me forever?

How long will you hide your face from me?

How long shall I take counsel in my soul

Having sorrow in my heart every day?

How long shall loneliness triumph over me?

Behold and answer me, my sweetheart, my love

Give light to my eyes, lest I weaken towards death

Lest loneliness say: I have prevailed against him

Lest my adversaries rejoice when I fall

But I trust in your love and kindness

My heart rejoices in your deliverance

I will sing a song to you my love

Because loving you has been good to me.

from Psalm 15

Who shall dwell in the sanctuary of love?

Who shall live on that holy hill?

She who walks blamelessly, does what is right,

And speaks truth in her heart

She who doesn’t slander with her tongue

Nor does evil to her friend

Nor casts slurs against her own people

In whose eyes a vile man is repudiated

Who honours those who know what it is to love

She who keeps a promise

Even when it hurts

And who is constant

Who does not lend out her money out for unfair gain

Nor take a bribe against the innocent

She who does these things shall never be undone.

from Psalm 16

A Poem by David

Preserve me, my love

For in you I take refuge

My soul, you have said to your lover:

You are my love

Apart from you

I have no good thing

Her love assigned to me my portion and my cup

She made my lot secure

The lines have fallen to me in the pleasant places

Surely I have a good inheritance

I will bless my love, who has given me wise counsel

So my heart instructs me in the night gardens

I have set her thought always before me

Because she is at my right hand

I shall not be moved

Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices

My whole self shall also dwell in a place of safety

She will show me the path of life

In her presence is the fullness of joy

In her right hand there are pleasures, forevermore.

from Psalm 18

For you will light my lamp, my love

You will shine a light into my darkness

With you by my side I will conquer any enemy

For you, I would vault the highest wall

For who is my life, if not you?

Who is my rock, besides you?

You have shielded me with the truth of your salvation

Your right hand sustains me

Your gentleness has made me great

Made my stride longer and more sure

You gave me power over what troubles me

Now my footing will not slip

Now I cast out my demons

I beat them

As small as motes of dust before the wind.

from Psalm 19

The heavens declare the glory of love.

Their expanses show love’s handiwork

Day after day

They pour forth their speech

And night after night

They display this knowledge

Love’s law is perfect, restoring the soul

Love’s testimony is sure, making wise the simple

Love’s precepts are right, rejoicing the heart

Love’s commandments are pure, enlightening the eyes

Love's reverence is pristine and will endure forever

Love’s ordinances are true, and righteous altogether

Love is more to be desired than gold

Yes, than so much fine gold

Sweeter than honey

And the nectar of the honeycomb

It is by love that her servants are guided

In keeping her precepts

There is great reward

Then I will be upright

I will be blameless and innocent of any transgression

That the words of my mouth

And the meditations of my heart

Should be acceptable in your sight

My love

My rock

And my redeemer.

from Psalm 21

How the King rejoices in your strength, O Queen

You have given him his heart’s desire

And have not withheld the request of his lips

For you meet him with the blessings of goodness

You set a crown of fine gold on his head

He asked life of you and you gave it to him

Even length of days forever and ever

His glory is great in your salvation

You lay honour and majesty upon him

You make him most blessed forever

You make him glad with joy to be in your presence

For the wise man trusts in his love

Through the loving kindness of the exalted

He shall not be moved.

from Psalm 22

My love, my love, why have you forsaken me?

I cry out in the daytime but you do not answer

In the night season I am not silent

Yes I am a wretch

Instead of a woman

A reproach of my kind

And despised amongst the people

All those who see me mock me

They insult me with their lips

They shake their heads, saying:

She trusts in her love

Let her love then deliver her

Let love come to her rescue, since she so delights in him

I am poured out like water

All my bones are out of joint

My heart is like wax

It is melted within me.

My strength is dried up like clay

My tongue cleaves to the roof of my mouth

A company of evildoers have enclosed me

They have pierced my hands and feet

I can count all of my bones.

They look and stare at me

They divide my garments among them

They cast lots for my clothing

My love, my love, why have you forsaken me?

from Psalm 23

My love is my shepherd

I shall not want

She provides lush pastures for my rest

She leads me beside still waters

She restores my soul

She leads me in the paths of righteousness for love’s own sake

Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death

No evil shall I fear

For she is with me

Her rod and her staff they comfort me

My love prepares a banquet for me

In the presence of my enemies

She anoints my head with oil

My cup runneth over

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me

All the days of my life

And I will dwell in the house of love forever.

from Psalm 26

Judge me, my love

For I have journeyed in my own integrity

I have trusted in you without wavering

Examine me, my love, and prove me

Try my heart and my mind

For your loving kindness is before my eyes

I have walked in your truth

I have not sat with deceitful people

Nor will I go in with hypocrites

I hate the assembly of evildoers

I will not sit with the wicked

My love, I adore the living spaces of your house

The place where your glory dwells

As for me, I will walk in my integrity

Fight for me, and be merciful to me

My footing holds in an even place

In the congregation of the people

I will surely bless your name.

from Psalm 30

I will extol you, my love

For you have raised me up

And not permitted my foes to rejoice over me

My love, my love, I cried out to you

And you have healed me

You have wrestled my soul up out of Hades

You have kept me alive

That I should not go down into the pit

This is how I cried to you my love

This is how I made my supplication:

What profit is there in my destruction, if I go down into the pit?

Shall the dust praise you?

Shall it declare your truth?

But now you have turned my mourning into dancing

You have removed my sackcloth

You have clothed me with gladness

And so now my heart can sing praise to you and not be silent

My love, my only love

I will give thanks to you forever!

from Psalm 31

In you, my love, I take refuge

Let me never be disappointed

Deliver me in your righteousness

Bow down your ear to me

Deliver me speedily

Be to me a strong rock

A house of defence to save me.

from Psalm 36

Your loving kindness, my love, is of the heavens

Your faithfulness reaches to the skies

Your righteousness is like the mountains of Lebanon

Your judgment like a fathomless deep

How precious is your loving kindness, my love!

Sons and daughters take refuge under the shadow of your wings

They are abundantly satisfied with the libations of your house

You will tell them: drink of the river of your delight

For with you is the spring of life

In your light shall we see light

O continue your love to those who love you

Extend your righteousness to the upright of heart.

from Psalm 38

A Psalm by David, for a Memorial

My love

Don’t rebuke me in your anger

Nor chasten me in your fierce displeasure

For your barbs have pierced me

Your hand holds me away

There is no strength in my body because of your indignation

Nor health in my bones, for what I have done

For my wrongs have gone over my head

As a terrible burden, they overwhelm me

My wounds are loathsome and corrupt

I brought them on myself, by my foolishness

I am ready to fall

I will declare my iniquity

I will be sorry for my sin

Don't forsake me, my love

My love, do not be far from me

Hurry to my aid

My love, and my salvation.

from Psalm 40

I waited patiently for you

You turned to me, and heard my cry

You brought me up out of a terrible crevasse

Out of the miry clay

You set my feet upon a rock

You gave me a firm place to stand

You have put a new song in my mouth

Even as it sings praise to you, my love

Blessed is the man who makes his wife his trust

And does not respect the proud, nor those who turn to lies

Many, my love, are the wonderful works you have done

And wonderful your thoughts which are turned towards me

They cannot be repaid

If I would declare them and speak of them

They would be more than could be numbered

You have opened my ears

You have not required sacrifice or offerings

I merely said: see, I have come to you

My name is written upon the scroll of your heart.

from Psalm 42

As the deer pants for the running brook

So my soul pants after you, my love

My soul thirsts for you, my living love

When shall I come and appear before you?

My love, my soul is in despair within me

Therefore I remember you

From the lands of Jordan

From the heights of Hermon

From the peak of Mizar

Deep calls to deep at the noise of your cascades

All your swells and your breakers have swept over me

These things I remember

And pour out my soul within me

How I used to go with the crowd

Leading them to your house

With the voice of joy and praise

A multitude observing a holy day

My tears have been my food both day and night

While they continually ask me

Where is your love?

Why are you in despair, my soul

Why are you disturbed within me?

Hope in love!

For I shall still praise you

The saving help of my countenance, and my love.

from Psalm 45

A Wedding Song

My heart overflows with a noble theme

I recite my verses for the King

My tongue is like the pen of a ready writer

You are the most excellent amongst the sons of men

Grace has anointed your lips

Therefore love has blessed you forever

Strap your sword on your thigh, mighty one

Your splendour and your majesty

In your majesty ride to win

For truth, humility, and righteousness

Let your right hand display awesome deeds

Your throne, my King, is forever and ever.

A sceptre of equity is the sceptre of your kingdom.

You have loved righteousness, and hated wickedness

Therefore love has anointed you

With the oil of prevailing gladness

Listen, daughter, consider, and turn your ear

Forget your own people, and your father’s house

So that your King will desire your beauty

Honour him, for he is your love

The princess inside is glorious

Her clothing interwoven with gold

She shall be led to her King in finest damask

The girls, her companions who follow her, shall accompany her

With gladness and rejoicing they shall be led

They shall enter into the palace of love

Your sons will take the place of your fathers

You love shall make them princes over all of the earth

And will make your name to be remembered in all generations

Therefore the peoples shall give you thanks

For ever and ever, amen.

from Psalm 50

A Psalm by Asaph

But to the wicked love is fierce and says:

What right do you have to declare my statutes?

That you have taken my covenant on your lips

Since you hate such learning

And throw my words behind you?

When you saw a thief

You colluded with him

You are entangled with those

Who would betray their wedding vows

You give your mouth to evil

Your tongue frames deceit

You sit and speak against your brother

You slander your own mother’s son

You have done these things and I kept silent

You thought that I was just like you

But no, I will rebuke you

And accuse you

In front of your eyes

So consider this

You who abandon love

Lest you be rent into pieces

And there be none to deliver you, Selah.

from Psalm 53

A Contemplation by David

The fool has said in his heart: there is no love

People are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity

There is no one who does justice

But love goes seeking among the children of men

To see if there are any who have understood

Who seek intently after her

Have the wicked no knowledge?

Do they eat up our People as they eat bread

And call not on love?

Love has put them to shame

Because love has rejected them

Oh that the salvation of the people

Would come down out of Zion

When love brings her people back from captivity

Then all men shall rejoice

Then all men shall know love and be glad.

from Psalm 55

For the Chief Musician, on Stringed Instruments

I said: Oh that I had wings like a dove!

Then I would fly away, and be at rest

Behold, then I would wander far off

I would lodge in the wilderness, Selah.

I would hurry to a shelter from the stormy wind and squalls

For it was not an enemy who insulted me

Then I could have endured it

Neither was it she who hated me

Who raised herself up against me

Then I would have hidden myself from her

But it was you, a person like me

My companion, and my familiar friend

We took sweet fellowship together.

We walked in love’s house in company

They never change

Those who don’t respect love

Who would raise their hands against their friends

Who would violate their sacred covenant

Her mouth was smooth as butter

But her heart was warfare

Her words were softer than oil

And yet they were drawn swords.

from Psalm 61

Hear my cry, my love

From the ends of the earth I will cry out to you

When my heart is overwhelmed

For you have been a refuge for me

A strong tower from the enemy

I will dwell in your tent forever

I will take refuge in the shelter of your wings, Selah.

For you, my love, have heard my vows

You have given me the heritage of the one who loves you

You will prolong my life

I will live for generations

I will be enthroned in your presence forever

Lay down your kindness and truth so they may preserve me

So that I will sing praise to your name for ever

And that I may fulfil my vows

Every day that is allotted to me to live.

from Psalm 68

Rejoice before love!

Love is the mother of the motherless

Love defends the widow

Love puts the lonely within families

Love brings out the prisoners with singing

But those who do not love

They dwell in a blighted land

You, my love, sent me plentiful rain

You confirmed your inheritance when I was weary

Your wholeness moved within me

She who dwells in a loving home divides the spoils

While the lonely sleep out among the fires

Yours are the wings of a dove sheathed with silver

With feathers of a shining gold

Why do you look in envy, you rugged mountains

At the place where my love chooses to reign?

Yes, I cry

My love and I will dwell in that place forever.

from Psalm 69

To the Shoshannim; of David

Save me, my love

For the waters have come up to my neck

I sink in deep mire where I can find no foothold

I am sunk in deep waters

Where floods overflow me

I am weary with crying

My throat is dry

My eyes fail looking for you my love

Those who detest me without cause

Number more than the hairs of my head

Those who would cut me off

My wrongful enemies

They are mighty

I must restore what I did not steal away

Deliver me out of the mire

Do not let me sink

Don't let the floodwaters overwhelm me

Or the deep yawn to swallow me up

Don't let the pit clamp its jaws shut on me

Answer me, my love, out of your kindness and goodness

By the proliferation of your tender mercies, turn to me

Do not hide your face from your beloved

But answer me speedily!

Drawn near to my soul and redeem it

Ransom me

Let your salvation, my love, protect me, Selah.

from Psalm 71

In you my love, I take refuge

You will not let me be disappointed

Deliver me in your righteousness, and rescue me

Turn your ear to me and save me

Be to me a rock of refuge upon which I may always depend

Though I am a marvel to many

You are my love and my strong refuge

My mouth shall be filled with your praises

Songs of your honour, which will endure until the end of days

So remember me, my love

Do not reject me in my old age

Do not forsake me when my strength fails me

Yes, even when I am old and grey

Do not forsake me, my love

Until I have declared your strength to the next generation

Until your excellence is clear to those who are to come.

from Psalm 72

By Solomon

Love, give these lands your Justice

Your righteousness, even to the heirs of royalty

So that monarchs may judge the people with righteousness

And the poor with justice

For this is the fruit of love -

Love would judge the poor of the people

Love would save the children of the needy

Love would break the oppressor into pieces

Love would descend like rain on the freshly cut grass

Love in showers that would restore the Earth

In those days when the righteous shall flourish

In an abundance of peace

Until the moon is no longer

Love shall have dominion from sea to sea

From the river to the ends of the earth

Those who cry out in the wilderness

Shall bow down before love

Love will redeem their souls

From oppression and violence

Love will deliver the needy when they cry

The poor, who have no helper

But the enemies of love

They shall eat nothing but dust.

from Psalm 73

A Psalm by Asaph

Surely love is good to the people

To those who are pure in heart

But as for me, my feet were almost gone

My steps had nearly slipped

For I was envious of the arrogant

When I saw the prosperity of the wicked

They are free from the burdens of human beings

Neither are they plagued like other people

Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck

Violence covers them like a garment

That eyes bulge with fat

Their minds pass the limit of conceit

They scoff and speak with malice

When I tried to understand this

It was too painful for me

Until I entered the sanctuary of love

And considered the end that they would come to

Surely they are set in slippery places

They are thrown down to destruction

How they are suddenly destroyed!

They are completely swept away with terrors

Now I am continually with you, my love

You have held my right hand

You will guide me with your counsel

And afterwards receive me to glory

There is no one on earth I desire besides you

My love, the strength of my heart

And my portion forever.

from Psalm 78

To Jeduthun

The waters saw you, my love

The waters saw you, and they writhed

The depths, surely, also convulsed

The clouds poured out rain

The skies resounded with thunder

Your arrows too flashed around

The voice of this thunder was in the whirlwind

The lightning lit up the world

The earth it trembled and shook

Your way was through the seas

Your paths through the great waters

Your footsteps were unknown

You led me like a flock of lambs

By the hand of our ancestors

You are my love, who does wonders.

from Psalm 84

A Psalm by the Sons of Korah

How lovely are your dwellings

My love of many legions

My soul longs, and even faints for the courts of my love

Blessed are those who dwell in your house

They are constantly praising you

Blessed are those

Whose strength is in love

Who have set their hearts upon a pilgrimage

Passing through the valley of weeping

They make it a place of springs

Yes, the autumn rain covers them with blessings

They go from strength to strength

Behold, my love and my shield

Look at the face of your anointed

For one day in your courts

Is better than a thousand elsewhere

I would rather be a doorkeeper

In the house of my love

Than to dwell in the tents of wickedness

My love is a sun and a shield

My love will give grace and glory

My love withholds no bounty from one who walks blamelessly

My love of many legions

Blessed am I by the trust that I put in you.

from Psalm 91

She who lives in the dwelling place of love

Will rest in the shadow of the Almighty

I will say of you my love:

You are my refuge and my fortress

My life, in whom I trust

For love will deliver you from the snare of the poacher

And from things that despise life

Love will cover you with its wings

Under her wings shall you take refuge

His faithfulness shall be your shield and your rampart

You shall not be afraid of the terrors of the night

Nor of the arrow that flies by day

Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness

Nor the destruction that wastes under the noonday sun

Though a thousand fall at your side

And ten thousand at your right hand

Fear will not come near you

You will stare it down with your eyes

Because you have made love your refuge

Because your love is your dwelling place

No evil shall befall you

Love will put angels in charge of you

To guide you in all of your ways

They will bear you up in their hands

So that you will not dash your foot upon the rocks

Your love will be with you in trouble

He will deliver you, and honour you

He will satisfy you with a long life

And show you your salvation.

from Psalm 93

Love reigns!

Love is clothed with majesty!

Love is armed with strength

The world is thus established

It cannot be moved

Her throne was established long ago

She is with all eternal things

The seas have lifted up, my love

The seas have lifted up their voice

The seas lift up their waves

Above the voices of many waters

The mighty breakers of the sea

Love upon high is mighty

Her statutes stand firm

Holiness adorns her house

Love, forevermore.

from Psalm 101

A Psalm by David

When will you come to me, my love?

A song of love and justice will be on my lips

To you my love I will sing praise

So then: when will you come to me?

I will walk in my home

With a blameless heart

I will not covet any vile thing

I will scorn the deeds

Of people who do not love

They will not be my people

Such ugly hearts will not be my portion either

So when will you come to me, my love?

I will silence whoever slanders his neighbour

I will cast down the haughty and conceited

My regard will be for the faithful of this land

I will make a place for them to dwell with me

He who practices deceit

will not dwell within my house

She who speaks falsehood

Will have no merit in my eyes

I will seek to walk in a perfect way

So when will you come to me, my love?

from Psalm 107

I wandered the wilderness in desolation

I found no city to dwell in

Hungry and thirsty

My soul fainted within me

I cried out to Her in my trouble

And She delivered me out of my distress

She turns my wilderness into pools of water

And my dry land into watersprings

She blesses me, and my abundance increases

She will not suffer my stock to be decreased.

from Psalm 108

A Song; a psalm of David

My heart is steadfast, my love

I will sing and I will make music with my soul

Wake up, harp and lyre!

I will wake up the dawn

I will give thanks to you

My love among the nations

I will sing praises to you among the peoples

For your loving kindness

Is great above the heavens

Your faithfulness reaches to the skies

Be exalted, my love, above the heavens

Let your glory be over all the Earth

Who will bring me into the fortified city?

Who has led me to the city we shall take?

Gilead is mine, Manasseh is mine

Ephraim is my mantle, Judah is my sceptre

Give us help against our enemies

For the help of man is vain

Through love we will be valiant

For it is love that will tread down our enemies.

from Psalm 113

Praise love!

Praise, you subjects of the kingdom

Praise the name of love!

Blessed be the name of love

From this time forth and forevermore

From the break of dawn

To the setting of the sun

Love’s name is to be praised

Love is ascendant above all nations

Love has glory above the heavens.

Who is like love, our love

Who has a seat upon the high places?

Who humbles himself to see

The things that exist

In the heavens and the earth?

Love raises the poor up out of the dust

Lifts up the needy from the ash heap

And sits them at the table with princes

Even with the exalted amongst the people

Love settles the lonely woman in her home

As a joyful mother of children

Praise love!

from Psalm 114

When the people went forth out of Egypt

What was it, you sea, that you fled?

You river, so that you turned back?

You mountains, that you skipped like rams

You little hills, like lambs?

Tremble, all earth, at the presence of love

At the presence of the love of the people

Which turns the rock into pools of water

The flint into watersprings.

from Psalm 124

A Song of Ascents

If it had not been love that was on our side

Let the people now say that

If it had not been love that was on our side

When men rose up against us

Then they would have swallowed us alive

When their wrath was kindled against us

Then the waters would have overwhelmed us

Then the proud flood would have gone over our souls

Blessed be my love

Who has not given me as prey to their teeth

My soul has escaped like a bird from a snare

The snare is broken, and we have escaped

Our help is in the name of love

Which holds together both Heaven and Earth.

from Psalm 126

When love brought back those who returned to her promise

We were like those who dream

Then our mouths were filled with laughter

And our tongues with singing

Then it was said among the nations

Love has done great things for them

Yes love has done great things for us

And we are glad

Restore our fortunes again, my love

Like the streams in the Negev

Those who sow in tears will reap in joy

She who goes out weeping

Carrying seed for sowing

Will certainly come again with joy

Carrying her sheaves.

from Psalm 127

By Solomon

Unless love builds the house

They labour in vain who build it

Unless love watches over the city

The watchman guards it in vain

It is vain for you to rise up early

To stay up late

Eating the bread of toil

For love gives sleep to its beloved

Behold, children are a heritage of love

The fruit of the womb is love’s reward.

from Psalm 128

A Song of Ascents

Blessed are those who respect love

Who walk in her ways

For you will eat of the labour of your hands

You will be happy, and all will be well with you

Your wife will be as a fruitful vine

In the innermost parts of your house

Your children like olive plants

Around your table

Behold, thus is the man blessed who knows the ways of love.

from Psalm 130

Out of the depths I have cried to you, my love

Lover, hear my voice

Let your ear be attentive to the voice of my petitions

If you, my love, kept a record of sins

Lord, who could stand up?

But there is forgiveness with you

And for this are you deeply honoured

I wait for my love

My soul waits

I hope in her word

My soul longs for her word

More than watchmen long for the morning

More than watchmen for the morning

So people, hope in love

For with love there is always kindness

With love there is abundant redemption

Love will redeem the people

From everything that assails them.

from Psalm 132

A Song of Ascents

Surely I will not come into the structure of my house

Nor go up into my bed

I will not give sleep to my eyes

Or slumber to my eyelids

Until I find out a place for love

A dwelling for the Mighty of the People

Behold, we heard of it in Ephrathah

We came upon it in the field of Jaar

We will go into love’s dwelling place

We will worship at her footstool

Arise, love, into your anointed place

You, and the ark of your strength

Let your faithful be clothed with righteousness

Let your saints shout for joy!

from Psalm 133

See how good and how pleasant it is

For the people to live together in unity!

It is like precious oil anointing the head

It is like the dew of Hermon

That comes down upon the hills of Zion

For there love gives her blessing

Even life, forevermore.