Image Credit: Mountain Valley with a Plateau | Hercules Segers, Dutch | ca. 1625–30 Psalm 901Lord, you have been our refuge *from one generation to another. 2Before the mountains were brought forth,or the land and the earth were born, *from age to age you are God. 3You turn us back to the dust and say, *“Go back, O child of earth.” 4For a thousand years in your sight are like yesterdaywhen it is past *and like a watch in the
Image Credit: The Floods of 1856, Avignon | Edouard Baldus, French, born Prussia | 1856 Psalm 881O Lord, my God, my Savior, *by day and night I cry to you. 2Let my prayer enter into your presence; *incline your ear to my lamentation. 3For I am full of trouble; *my life is at the brink of the grave. 4I am counted among those who go down to the Pit; *I have become like one who has no strength; 5Lost among
Image Credit: Falaise Castle | Alfred Capel Cure, British | 1856 Psalm 1451I will exalt you, O God my King, *and bless your Name for ever and ever. 2Every day will I bless you *and praise your Name for ever and ever. 3Great is the Lord and greatly to be praised; *there is no end to his greatness. 4One generation shall praise your works to another *and shall declare your power. 5I will ponder the glorious splendor of your majesty
Image Credit: Terracotta statuette of a teacher and a pupil | Greek, Asia Minor | late 4th–early 3rd century BCE Psalm 119:97-12097Oh, how I love your law! *all the day long it is in my mind. 98Your commandment has made me wiser than my enemies, *and it is always with me. 99I have more understanding than all my teachers, *for your decrees are my study. 100I am wiser than the elders, *because I observe your commandments. 101I restrain my feet
Image Credit: Oiran and Attendants at the Ō Mon or Great Gate of the Yoshiwara | Chōbunsai Eishi, Japanese | ca. 1794 Psalm 241 The earth is the Lord’s and all that is in it, *the world and all who dwell therein. 2 For it is he who founded it upon the seas *and made it firm upon the rivers of the deep. 3 “Who can ascend the hill of the Lord? *and who can stand in his holy place?” 4 “Those who have
Image Credit: Bean Vine | Itō Jakuchū, Japanese | Inscribed by Musen Jōzen, Japanese | mid-18th century Psalm 801 Hear, O Shepherd of Israel, leading Joseph like a flock; *shine forth, you that are enthroned upon the cherubim. 2 In the presence of Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasseh, *stir up your strength and come to help us. 3 Restore us, O God of hosts; *show the light of your countenance,and we shall be saved. 4 O Lord God of hosts, *how long will you be
Image Credit: Armor for Man and Horse | Armorer – Kunz Lochner, German | dated 1548, with later restorations Psalm 761 In Judah is God known; *his Name is great in Israel. 2 At Salem is his tabernacle, *and his dwelling is in Zion. 3 There he broke the flashing arrows, *the shield, the sword, and the weapons of battle. 4 How glorious you are! *more splendid than the everlasting mountains! 5 The strong of heart have been despoiled;they sink into sleep; *none of the
Image Credit: Sea and Cliffs | Auguste Renoir, French | ca. 1885 Psalm 69:1-23; 31-381 Save me, O God, *for the waters have risen up to my neck. 2 I am sinking in deep mire, *and there is no firm ground for my feet. 3 I have come into deep waters, *and the torrent washes over me. 4 I have grown weary with my crying;my throat is inflamed; *my eyes have failed from looking for my God. 5 Those who hate me without a causeare
Image Credit: Fragment of a terracotta statuette of an old woman | Greek, South Italian, Tarentine | 4th–3rd century BCE Psalm 711 In you, O Lord, have I taken refuge; *let me never be ashamed. 2 In your righteousness, deliver me and set me free; *incline your ear to me and save me. 3 Be my strong rock, a castle to keep me safe; *you are my crag and my stronghold. 4 Deliver me, my God, from the hand of the wicked, *from the
Image Credit: The Rocky Mountains, Lander’s Peak | Albert Bierstadt, American | 1863 Psalm 721Give the King your justice, O God, *and your righteousness to the King’s Son; 2That he may rule your people righteously *and the poor with justice; 3That the mountains may bring prosperity to the people, *and the little hills bring righteousness 4He shall defend the needy among the people; *he shall rescue the poor and crush the oppressor 5He shall live as long as the sun
