A skillful song, or a didactic or reflective poem, of Ethan the Ezrahite.
I will sing of the goodness and lovingkindness of the LORD forever;
With my mouth I will make known Your faithfulness from generation to generation.
For I have said, “Goodness and lovingkindness will be built up forever;
In the heavens [unchangeable and majestic] You will establish Your faithfulness.”
I will establish your seed forever
And I will build up your throne for all generations.” Selah.
The heavens (angels) praise Your wonders, O LORD,
Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones.
For who in the heavens can be compared to the LORD?
Who among the divine beings is like the LORD,
A God greatly feared and reverently worshiped in the council of the holy [angelic] ones,
And awesome above all those who are around Him?
O LORD God of hosts, who is like You, O mighty LORD?
Your faithfulness surrounds You [as an intrinsic, unchangeable part of Your very being].
You have crushed Rahab (Egypt) like one who is slain;
You have scattered Your enemies with Your mighty arm.
The heavens are Yours, the earth also is Yours;
The world and all that is in it, You have founded and established them.
The north and the south, You have created them;
Mount Tabor and Mount Hermon shout for joy at Your name.
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;
Lovingkindness and truth go before You.
Blessed and happy are the people who know the joyful sound [of the trumpet’s blast]!
They walk, O LORD, in the light and favor of Your countenance!
For You are the glory of their strength [their proud adornment],
And by Your favor our horn is exalted.
Once You spoke in a vision to Your godly ones,
And said, “I have given help to one who is mighty [giving him the power to be a champion for Israel];
I have exalted one chosen from the people.
“My faithfulness and My steadfast lovingkindness shall be with him,
And in My name shall his horn be exalted [great power and prosperity shall be conferred upon him].
“My lovingkindness I will keep for him forevermore,
And My covenant will be confirmed to him.
“His descendants I will establish forever,
And his throne [will endure] as the days of heaven.
Then I will punish their transgression with the rod [of discipline],
And [correct] their wickedness with stripes.
“Nevertheless, I will not break off My lovingkindness from him,
Nor allow My faithfulness to fail.
“Once [for all] I have sworn by My holiness, [My vow which cannot be violated];
I will not lie to David.
“It shall be established forever like the moon,
And the witness in the heavens is ever faithful.” Selah.
But [in apparent contradiction of all this] You [the faithful LORD] have cast off and rejected;
You have been full of wrath against Your anointed.
You have spurned and repudiated the covenant with Your servant;
You have profaned his crown [by casting it] in the dust.
Also, You have turned back the edge of his sword
And have not made him [strong enough] to stand in battle.
Remember how fleeting my lifetime is;
For what vanity, [for what emptiness, for what futility, for what wisp of smoke] You have created all the sons of men!
What man can live and not see death?
Can he rescue his soul from the [powerful] hand of Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead)? Selah.
O Lord, where are Your former lovingkindnesses [so abundant in the days of David and Solomon],
Which You swore to David in Your faithfulness?
With which Your enemies have taunted, O LORD,
With which they have mocked the footsteps of Your anointed.
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