Psalms Scroll

Psalm 151 — David's autobiographical hymn, recounting his anointing as the youngest of his brothers and the Lord's choosing of him from the flock.

1A hallelujah of David, the son of Jesse. I was the smallest among my brethren, and the youngest of the sons of my father. He made me shepherd of his flock, and ruler over his kids.

2My hands fashioned a flute; my fingers a harp. I gave glory unto the Lord. I said within my soul: The mountains do not bear witness unto Him; nor do the hills declare. The trees have lifted up His words; the flock have lifted up His works.

3For who can declare and who can speak and who can recount the works of the Lord? God hath beheld every thing; He hath heard every thing; and He hath given ear unto every thing.

4He sent His prophet to anoint me — even Samuel — that he might magnify me. My brothers came forth to meet him, beautiful of stature and beautiful of countenance. They were tall in stature, beautiful by their hair. The Lord God did not choose them.

5He sent and took me from after the flock; and He anointed me with the holy oil. He set me as a leader of His people, and a ruler over the sons of His covenant.

6Then began the son of David. I went forth to meet the Philistine; he cursed me by his idols. But I — I drew the sword from beside him; I cut off his head; and I removed reproach from the children of Israel.

7Blessed be the Lord, the God of David, who hath given His servant strength. Blessed be His holy name. Hallelujah.

Plea for Deliverance — a hymn beseeching God for cleansing from sin, healing from affliction, and the gift of His holy spirit.

1For the worm doth not give Thee thanks; nor doth the maggot recount Thy lovingkindness. The living — the living give Thee thanks; all that totter give Thee thanks; in declaring Thy lovingkindness unto them.

2Thou hast made known unto them Thy righteousness; and unto them which understand Thou hast made known Thy might. For there is none beside Thee. Strong art Thou; and the heavens cannot contain Thy glory.

3Thou hast forgiven my sins, O Lord; Thou hast cleansed me of mine iniquity. With a spirit of faith Thou hast graced me. With knowledge Thou hast appointed me. Permit not Satan to rule over me, nor an unclean spirit; let neither pain nor evil inclination take possession of my bones.

4For Thou, O Lord, art my praise; in Thee is my hope all the day. With me let my brethren rejoice; and the house of my father, that is astonished by Thy gracious gift.

5For ever shall I rejoice in Thee. Hallelujah.

Apostrophe to Zion — a hymn of love and longing for the holy city, calling her to remember the prophets of old and to wait upon the consummation.

1I remember thee for blessing, O Zion. With all my might have I loved thee. May thy memory be blessed for ever! Great is thy hope, O Zion — that peace and thy long-awaited salvation shall come.

2Generation after generation shall dwell in thee; and generations of the saints shall be thy glory. Them which yearn for the day of thy salvation may rejoice in the abundance of thy glory. They shall be filled with the milk of thy beauty; in thy splendid streets shall they delight.

3The lovingkindness of thy prophets shalt thou remember; and in the deeds of thy holy ones shalt thou be glorified. Cleanse violence from thy midst; and let lying and iniquity be cut off from thee. Thy sons shall rejoice in thy midst; and they that love thee shall be joined unto thee.

4How greatly have they hoped for thy salvation; and the perfect have mourned for thee! Thy hope, O Zion, doth not perish; nor is thine expectation forgotten. Who hath ever perished in righteousness? Or who hath escaped in his iniquity?

5Each man is tested according unto his way; he is recompensed according unto his works. Thy adversaries shall be cut off, O Zion. All them which hate thee shall be scattered. Pleasing to God is the praise of thee, O Zion; that goeth up among all the worlds.

6Many times shall I remember thee for blessing. With all my heart shall I bless thee. May thou attain unto everlasting righteousness. May thou receive blessings of the worthy. Take the vision spoken concerning thee; the dreams of the prophets sought for thee.

7Be exalted, O Zion; spread thyself abroad. Praise the Most High, thy Saviour. Let my soul be glad in thy glory.

David's Compositions — the colophon recording David's own account of his wisdom and the number of psalms and songs he composed.

1And David, the son of Jesse, was wise; and a light like the light of the sun; and a scribe; and a man of understanding; and perfect in all his ways before God and men. The Lord gave unto him a luminous and discerning spirit.

2And he wrote three thousand and six hundred psalms; and songs to sing before the altar over the burnt offering, day by day, for all the days of the year — three hundred and sixty and four; and for the offering of the sabbaths — fifty and two songs; and for the offering of the new moons, and for all the days of the festivals, and for the day of atonement — thirty songs.

3And all the songs that he composed were four hundred and forty and six; and songs for making music over the smitten — four. And the total was four thousand and fifty.

4All these did he speak through the spirit of prophecy, which was given him from before the Most High. Blessed be the Lord, the God of David. Hallelujah.