Website copyright © 2002 byWilliam M. Allen

The following Psalms are listed in the order that they are found in the scriptures:

 

Psalms 1, 15, 19, 22, 23, 29, 32, 51, 92

 

 

Psalms 39, 46, 84, 90, 103, 143, 30, 65, 66, 71, 86, 89, 91, 139, 27, 41, 42, 49, 55, 63, 102, 116, 120, 121, 122, 123, 127, 128, 130 , 131, 138, 141, 142, 144,146, 147, 5, 6, 7, and 8 are found under Odyssey of Psalms.

 

Psalm 1

 

What a blessing is the man

who only seeks out godly counsel,

and who passes up societal vices,

and always shares an encouraging word.

 

 

For he delights in knowing the Lord,

and constantly basks in a divine aura.

 

He is a tower of strength in his community,

quickly responding to requests for help,

and never wearies of giving his talents.

Everyone rejoices in his presence.

 

But, not so are the wicked!

They constantly are shifting about,

drifting with no sense of direction,

and are always to busy to help.

 

For these will remain seated in the judgment

when the Lord calls forth His people.

 

For the Lord cherishes the righteous man

enjoying his every act of charity,

But the wicked will be destroyed,

and erased from memory.

 

Dedicated to John Wagner
Riverside, CA
Nov 23, 1997

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Psalm 15

 

Lord, who may dwell in your home?

who may share your estate?

 

 

He who lives an open life,

and is honest in all his dealings,

who speaks honestly and from the heart,

in whom no gile is found,

who builds up his community,

and does not undermine his neighbors,

who speaks out against injustice,

and honors those who love the Lord,

who meets his commitments,

even when circumstances have changed,

who lends money at a fair rate,

and doesn't accept bribes.

 

 

He who does these things

will always have the Lord at his side.

Psalm 15 (variant)

 

Lord, who would you find worthy

and take into partnership with you?

 

He who acts justly toward others,

and walks humbly before men,

He who cares more for others than himself,

especially when it is to his own detriment,

He who speaks honestly and well of others,

and guards their reputations as his own,

He who addresses the needs of the needy,

and needs no accounting of his deeds,

He who respects the needs of women and minorities,

and rejoices in their accomplishments,

He who is faithful to his commitments,

even when circumstances have changed.

 

He who does these things

will always be friends with the Lord.

 

Riverside, CA
Oct. 28, 2000

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Psalm 19

The natural world expresses the glory of God;

the very air proclaims He is Creator.

By day the wonders of creation are seen;

and by night they are felt.

The natural world does not speak;

but the message is clearly given.

The message is given from pole to pole;

at every latitude and longitude.

 

The sun was created to rule the day,

and the moon to supervise the night.

At dawn the sun rises in the west,

and at dusk retreats in the east.

Though the sun appears to orbit the earth,

yet it is the earth that circles the sun.

Nothing is hidden from the heat of the sun,

and the moon casts a spell on the night.

 

The law of the Lord is all encompassing,

giving balance to the soul.

The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy,

enabling even the youngest to prosper.

The principals of the Lord are fundamental,

bringing joyful continuity to life.

The orders of the Lord are explicit,

leaving no room for misunderstanding.

 

The presence of the Lord is awesome,

as majestic as snow-capped mountains.

The rituals of the Lord have a purpose,

and never lose their meaning.

They are more precious than gemstones,

than fine emeralds, rubies and diamonds.

By them the true path of life is defined,

and there is rich reward in keeping them.

 

Who is able to discern the errors of his ways?

and who can forgive secret sins?

Lord, keep me from willful sins,

and give them no control over me.

Record not my sins against me,

and declare my innocence.

Accept this meditation of my soul,

Oh Lord, my Creator, and my Redeemer.

 

Riverside, CA
Oct. 27, 2000

 

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Psalm 22

O, my God, my God

why have you forsaken me?

where are you when I need you most?

don't you sense my anguish and pain

 

O, my God, my God

I cry by day

 

you do not answer

by night I get no relief.

 

Yet, you are the Almighty God

the Creator of the Universe

My ancestors put their trust in you

they believed and you saved them

They cried out to you and were delivered

they trusted and were not disappointed.

 

But who am I, an individual man

rejected, shut out, despised

I hear their whispers behind my back

hear their insults, see wagging heads

I'm waiting for your call. . .listening

they call me old fashioned.

 

In a broken bag of water I was born

suckled at my mother's breast

I was born into a godly family

brought up within the church

I could stand the scorn of the godless,

but it's our people who wound my spirit.

 

Sharks infest my environment

piranhas wait their chance

Enemies wait for a drop in enrollment

and devour our success

I'm drained, achey and empty

weary, tired and burned out.

 

I'm discouraged and faint,

depressed to the point of exhaustion

Enemies delay their actions

hoping I'll stumble first

O, my soul cries out to Thee

for my people, Thy school

 

Come quickly Lord, don't hesitate

my strength ebbs, my grip slips

Spare me further humiliation

hoist my burdens away

Snatch me from their power

lift me on eagles wings.

 

This is my testimony, hear me out

all you with a heart to listen

Praise the Lord, the God of Jacob

revere Him all ye Christians

God's patience waivers

His judgment is at hand.

 

The heavenly throng will praise Thee

the faithful of all ages affirm

The poor and outcast will be satisfied

sated with praise forevermore

All the earth will bow before Thee

worlds without end praise Thee.

 

The faithful will fete and worship Thee

all prostrate before Thee, O God

Future generations will be told of Thee

and acknowledge your righteousness

They will proclaim your beneficence

O God Almighty, Creator, Brother.

 

Dedicated to pastor Dan Smith who preached on Psalm 22
Riverside, California
August, 1997

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Psalm 23

The Lord is my constant Companion;

providing my every need and want.

He offers me a shelter for my rest;

restoring my spirit by the waters.

He draws me with His righteousness,

and I will praise His name.

I walk boldly through the darkest hour;

because His presence surrounds me.

His Word and Spirit give me confidence;

I shall never want for food and water.

He has anointed me for a special work,

and it gushes forth blessings.

His goodness and mercy have attended me,

and a place in heaven is reserved for me.

 

Dedicated to Charlotte A. Boehm and Elizabeth Fowler
Riverside, CA
November 19, 1997

 

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Psalm 29

In its Hebrew form this Psalm describes a storm welling up from

the Mediterranean and sweeping across the mountains of

Lebanon. An ancient Ugaritic poem attributes the power of

nature to Baal. Since the locales referenced in the poem are all

outside Israel, some posit that David reworked the material

rightly ascribing the power to Elohim. In this version, the setting

is California.

 

O Worship the LORD, heaven and earth,

acknowledge the power of the LORD.

Give the LORD the recognition He is due,

humbly bow before His holiness.

 

The voice of the LORD is announced o'er the Pacific,

roaring beyond the horizon.

The voice of the LORD is majestic and powerful,

howling through cedar forest.

The voice of the LORD makes the redwoods dance,

with ground undulating under root.

The voice of the LORD crackles through the Sierras,

setting aflame the ancient forest.

The voice of the LORD blazes in the Mojave,

and lays waste the desert oasis.

The voice of the Lord deluges the south,

and watery floods course through Malibu.

The voice of the Lord stealthily parts the cumulus,

gloriously reddening the sky.

 

The LORD resides among the starry host,

and reigneth forever and ever.

The LORD dwells within His people,

blessing them with peace.

 

Riverside, CA

July 28, 1999

 

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Psalm 32

 

Happy is the person who experiences forgiveness,

and whose transgressions go unrecorded.

Joyful is the person forgiven by the Lord,

and experiences forgiveness in his soul.

 

While I refused to acknowledge my sin,

day and night my body wretched in pain.

The arm of justice groped for me,

and left me drained and depressed.

Then I acknowledged my sin,

and no longer tried to conceal my guilt.

I said, "with sorrow I confess,

and accept the penalty that's my due."

Then you accepted my plea,

and stayed the penalty of my sin.

 

So in the hour of ones emergency,

the faithful turn heavenward.

Thou art a refuge from distress,

so that it cannot touch me.

You enwrap me in salvation,

placing me beyond harms way.

He will teach you the way you should go,

and will keep a watchful eye on you.

Don't behave like a stubborn mule,

but be open to gentle leading.

 

The wicked suffer enormously,

but love enfolds those who trust in God.

Rejoice in the Lord and be glad,

and sing aloud you who are forgiven.

 

Riverside, CA
November 21, 1998

 

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Psalm 51

 

Have mercy on me, Oh God,

exhibit your unfailing love;

demonstrate your compassion

and consider my case, I pray.

 

 

I beg you to assuage my guilt

and cleanse me from my sin.

I know my shortcomings. . .

I see the scars day and night.

Worse, it's against you I have sinned

and caused you to suffer.

I am guilty as charged,

a harsh sentence is justified.

 

 

I'm illegitimate by birth

and was conceived in sin.

Yet, when lilies grow in a swamp

blossoms spring from the mire.

Scrub me with soap and luffa

rinse me until I'm squeaky clean;

Unshackle my ankles,

and let me dance again.

See beyond my transgressions

and wipe my record clean.

 

Create in me a purified heart, Oh God,

and implant in me a new attitude;

don't exclude me from your presence

or deprive me of your holy spirit.

Let me experience deliverance;

instruct me in your ways.

Let me acknowledge my foolishness

and teach others the errors of my ways.

 

Commute the sentence, Oh God,

and I will sing praises to your justice.

Unseal my lips, Oh my Redeemer

and I will praise Thee evermore.

What is gained by incarcerating me,

what retribution could I pay?

All I have is a humble spirit,

a broken heart is all I can offer.

 

Oh God, smile upon our land

and renew our civilization.

Balance the scales of justice,

and let mercy flow in a torrent.

 

Riverside, CA
November 21, 1998

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Psalm 51 v.2

 

 

Your Honor,

 

I plead for your understanding and mercy;

stay my sentence and hear my plea.

beg you to commute my sentence,

and seal my record of guilt.

I am guilty as charged,

I can't hide the scars on my arms.

Moreover, I have abused your leniency,

and caused you to be ridiculed.

The charge against me is true,

and a harsh sentence is justified.

 

Your Honor,

 

I am illegitimate by birth,

I never knew my father.

Yet, can not lilies grow in a swamp,

and blossoms emerge from the mire?

Send me to a rehabilitation center,

treat me until I'm utterly clean.

Teach me to be responsible again,

let me taste again freedoms joys.

Consider my circumstances,

and suspend my sentence, I pray.

 

Your Honor,

 

Flush my system of these drugs,

and help me develop a new attitude.

Don't turn your back on me

or deprive me of your generous spirit.

Let me feel the spirit of deliverance

and instruct me in your ways.

Adopt me into your family,

and teach me the error of my ways.

 

Your Honor,

 

Deliver me from the sentence o'r me,

and I will sing praises as your son.

Unseal my lips, oh my redeemer,

and my words will proclaim your praise.

Incarceration will only waste my life

and there is no restitution I could make.

All I offer is a contrite spirit,

a broken heart is all I have.

 

Your Honor,

 

May you smile upon our land,

and renew our system of justice.

Balance the scales of justice,

and temper your decision with mercy.

 

Riverside, CA
June 22,1999

 

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Psalm 92

A Psalm for the Sabbath Day

 

It is a joy to praise the Lord,

and sing zemiros to You, Most High,

at dawn to proclaim Your unending love,

and Your faithfulness at dusk,

to the sound of the guitar,

and adult and children's voices.

 

Your deeds, O Lord, have rejuvenated my spirit;

I sing for joy at all You have done,

How marvelous are your created works,

how intricate Your designs.

 

The dull neither see nor understand,

though the wicked sprout like weeds,

thought they burst forth with blossoms,

'tis only to be eternally destroyed,

For only You, O Lord, who are eternal,

only You who is righteous.

 

You have enemies, O Lord,

but they will be thwarted and destroyed,

But you raised me high to honor,

and you have refreshed my spirit,

I shall see the demise of my enemies,

and joyfully hear of my enemies collapse.

 

The righteous bloom like the apricot,

and survive like the bristle cone pine,

for they are planted in the house of the Lord,

and flourish in Hashem's presence,

still bearing fruit in retirement,

remaining alive and vital,

Testifying that the Lord is righteous,

showing mercy, strength and endurance.

Dedicated to the Schames family after celebrating Succoth with them last night.

Riverside, CA
September 25,1999

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