Psalms 13, 14, and 15

*******Psalm 13*******

Tune: O for a thousand tongues to sing/my great Redeemer's praise (or other C. M. tune). (James Ward has a new, modern tune for O for a thousand, if you care to try it.) 133A in The Book of Psalms for Singing, or hymn 133 in the old Trinity Hymnal. For the last two lines, repeat the last two lines of the hymn. (Practice until it goes smoothly).

To the overseer, psalm of David

Till when Jehovah do you me
Forget? For ever, Lord?
Till when do you hide your face from
Me? Till when do'I in soul

Set counsels? Sorrow in my heart
Till when doth daily be?
O till when is my enemy
Exalted over me?

Look with attention, answer me
O Jehovah my God
My eyes enlighten, my face brigh-
ten lest I sleep in death.

Lest that my enemy should say
"I overcame him," and
My adversaries take their joy
When I, when I am moved.

And I have trusted in your kind-
ness; my heart does rejoice
In your salvation; I do sing
To Jehovah because

He has conferred choice benefits
Upon me, even me!

"Till when?" for "How long?" emphasizes that God is in charge, that He has plans, and that I trust Him. Young's Literal Translation uses "Till when."

Next page (depending on printing?) Psalm 14

*******Psalm 14*******

Tune: 117A in The Book of Psalms for Singing, used in my A.D. 1927 United Presbyterian Psalter Hymnal for "O for a thousand tongues to sing" , #328 there (a usage I haven't seen elsewhere, though my musical collection is scattershot.) Again, repeat the last two lines of music.

To the overseer by David

"God is not," said the fool in heart
They have corruptly done
Abomination they have done
There is no doer of good.

Jehovah from the heavens looked
Upon the sons of men
To see if there is a wise one,
If one is seeking God.

The whole have turned themselves aside,
Together've filthy been.
There is no doer of good at all;
There is not even one.

Have all working iniquity
Not known? Those who consume
My people as they've eaten bread?
Jehovah they've not called.

There they have feared a fear, for God
Is in the genera-
tion of the righteous. The couns'l'of
The poor you cause to stink

Because Jehovah is his ref-
uge Who from Zion gives
The salvation of Israel.
When Jehovah turns back

Captivity of His people
Jacob joys, Israel's glad.

I try to make the music fit the words more than adjust the words to the music, or at least work harder than some people at making the music serve the words instead of the reverse, though obviously I do both. What the words say comes from God. How they say it, I think also comes from God--hence I like a more literal translation, though paraphrases also have their place in conveying God's meaning. Each does some things better than the other; both have their value. The music does not come from God except as He gives people general ability to create music. (If you want psalm music that may come from God, try Suzanne Haik-Vantoura.)

Next page (depending on printing?) Psalm 15

*******Psalm 15*******

Tune: The Son of God goes forth to War, 110 in The Book of Psalms for Singing or 489 in the old Trinity Hymnal. In the 2^nd stanza, skip the 5^th and 6^th lines of music.

Psalm of David

Jehovah, who dwells in your tent?
--lives in your holy hill?
He who is walking uprightly
And working righteousness
And truth is speaking in his heart.
He has not slandered by
His tongue. He has not evil done
No evil to his friend

Reproach he has not lifted up
Against his nei-eigh-bor.
Despis-ed in his eyes is one
Rejected due to sin
And those fearing Jehovah he
Doth honor and esteem.

He has sworn to endure the pain
He changes not his oath
His silver he has give not
In usury to boast.
A bribe against the innocent
He has not taken; so,
Whoever's doing as this says
Is not moved to the age.