Monday with the New Psalms: Psalm 134

Psalm 134

1 A song of ascents.

O come, bless the LORD,

all you servants of the LORD.

You who stand in the house of the LORD

throughout the nights.

2 Lift up your hands toward the sanctuary,

and bless the LORD.

3 May the LORD bless you from Zion,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

--NABRE

1 A Song of Ascents.

O come, bless the LORD,

all you servants of the LORD,

who stand by night in the courts

of the house of the LORD

2 Lift up your hands to the holy place,

and bless the LORD.

3 May the LORD bless you from Sion,

he who made both heaven and earth.

--Revised Grail Psalms

NABRE Notes:

[Psalm 134] A brief liturgy exhorting all those who serve in the Jerusalem Temple during the night (cf. Is 30:29) to praise God with words and gestures. Although he is the Creator of the whole universe, God’s blessings emanate in a unique way from Zion, the city of Jerusalem.

[134:1] Servants of the LORD: priests and Levites, cf. Dt 10:8; Ps 113:1; 135:1; Dn 3:85.

(This concludes our comparison between the NABRE and Revised Grail translations of the 'Songs of Ascents.'  What are your overall thoughts?  Stay tuned, I will begin another series of comparisons between the two in the coming weeks.)

Monday with the New Psalms: Psalm 133

Psalm 133

1 A song of ascents. Of David.

How good and how pleasant it is,

when brothers dwell together as one!

2 Like fine oil on the head,

running down upon the beard,

Upon the beard of Aaron,

upon the collar of his robe.

3 Like dew of Hermon coming down

upon the mountains of Zion.

There the LORD has decreed a blessing,

life for evermore!

--NABRE

1 A Song of Ascents. Of David.

How good and how pleasent it is,

when brothers live in unity!

2 It is like precious oil upon the head,

running down upon the beard,

running down upon Aaron's beard,

upon the collar of his robes;

3 Like the dew of Hermon, which runs down

on the mountains of Sion.

For there the LORD bestows his blessing:

life forever.

-Revised Grail Psalms

NABRE Notes:

[Psalm 133] A benediction over a peaceful community, most probably the people Israel, but appropriate too for Israelite families (Ps 133:1). The history of Israel, whether of its ancestors in the Book of Genesis or of later periods, was a history of distinct groups struggling to live in unity. Here that unity is declared blessed, like the holy oils upon the priest Aaron or the dew of the rainless summer that waters the crops (Ps 133:2–3).

[133:1] Brothers: in biblical Hebrew this word includes both the male and female members of a group united by blood relationships or by shared experiences and values. In this Psalm, the term could be applied most appropriately to the people of Israel, those privileged by God to be his chosen children.

[133:2] Oil on the head: oil was used at the consecration of the high priest (Ex 30:22–33).

[133:3] Dew: dew was an important source of moisture in the dry climate (Gn 27:28; Hos 14:6). Hermon: the majestic snow-capped mountain visible in the north of Palestine.

Monday with the New Psalms: Psalm 132

Psalm 132

1 A song of ascents.

Remember, O LORD, for David

all his hardships;

2 How he swore an oath to the LORD,

vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob:

3 “I will not enter the house where I live,

nor lie on the couch where I sleep;

4 I will give my eyes no sleep,

my eyelids no rest,

5 Till I find a place for the LORD,

a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob.”

6 “We have heard of it in Ephrathah;

we have found it in the fields of Jaar.

7 Let us enter his dwelling;

let us worship at his footstool.”

8 “Arise, LORD, come to your resting place,

you and your mighty ark.

9 Your priests will be clothed with justice;

your devout will shout for joy.”

10 For the sake of David your servant,

do not reject your anointed.

11 The LORD swore an oath to David in truth,

he will never turn back from it:

“Your own offspring I will set upon your throne.

12 If your sons observe my covenant,

and my decrees I shall teach them,

Their sons, in turn,

shall sit forever on your throne.”

13 Yes, the LORD has chosen Zion,

desired it for a dwelling:

14 “This is my resting place forever;

here I will dwell, for I desire it.

15 I will bless Zion with provisions;

its poor I will fill with bread.

16 I will clothe its priests with salvation;

its devout shall shout for joy.

17 There I will make a horn sprout for David;

I will set a lamp for my anointed.

18 His foes I will clothe with shame,

but on him his crown shall shine.”

--NABRE

1 A Song of Ascents.

O LORD, remember David

and all the hardships he endured,

2 the oath he swore to the LORD,

his vow to the Strong One of Jacob.

3 "I will not enter my house,

nor go to the bed where I rest;

4 I will give no sleep to my eyes,

to my eyelids I will give no slumber,

5 till I find a place for the LORD,

a dwelling for the Strong One of Jacob."

6 At Ephrata we heard of it;

we found it in the plains of Yearim.

7 "Let us go to the place of his dwelling;

let us bow down at his footstool."

8 Go up, LORD, to the place of your rest,

you and the ark of your strength.

9 Your priests shall be clothed with justice;

your faithful shall ring out their joy.

10 For the sake of David your servant,

do not reject your anointed.

11 The LORD swore an oath to David;

he will not go back on his word:

"A son, the fruit of your body,

will I set upon your throne.

12 If your sons hold fast to my covenant,

and my laws that I have taught them,

their sons, in turn, shall sit

on your throne from age to age."

13 For the LORD has chosen Sion;

he has desired it for his dwelling:

14 "This is my resting place from age to age;

here have I chosen to dwell.

15 I will greatly bless her produce;

I will; fill her poor with bread.

16 I will clothe her priests with salvation,

and her faithful shall ring out their joy.

17 I will make a stock sprout up for David;

I will prepare a lamp for my anointed.

18 I will cover his enemies with shame,

but on him my crown shall shine."

--Revised Grail Psalms

NABRE Notes:

[Psalm 132] A song for a liturgical ceremony in which the ark, the throne of Israel’s God, was carried in procession to the Temple. The singer asks that David’s care for the proper housing of the ark be regarded with favor (Ps 132:1–5), and tells how it was brought to Jerusalem (Ps 132:6–10). There follows God’s promise of favor to the Davidic dynasty (Ps 132:11–12) and to Zion (Ps 132:13–17). The transfer of the ark to the tent in Jerusalem is described in 2 Sm 6.

[132:2, 132:5] Mighty One of Jacob: one of the titles of Israel’s God, cf. Gn 49:24; Is 49:26; 60:16.

[132:6] Ephrathah: the homeland of David, cf. Ru 4:11. The fields of Jaar: poetic for Kiriath-jearim, a town west of Jerusalem, where the ark remained for several generations, cf. 1 Sm 7:1–2; 2 Sm 6:2; 1 Chr 13:5–6.

[132:17] A horn sprout for David: the image of the horn, a symbol of strength, is combined with that of a “sprout,” a term used for the Davidic descendant (cf. Jer 23:5; 33:15; Zec 3:8; 6:12). Early Christians referred the latter designation to Christ as son of David (Lk 1:69).

Mondays with the New Psalms: Psalm 131

Psalm 131

A song of ascents. Of David.

LORD, my heart is not proud;

nor are my eyes haughty.

I do not busy myself with great matters,

with things too sublime for me.

Rather, I have stilled my soul,

Like a weaned child to its mother,

weaned is my soul.

Israel, hope in the LORD,

now and forever.

-NABRE 

A Song of Ascents. Of David.

O LORD, my heart is not proud,

nor haughty my eyes.

I have not gone after things too great,

nor marvels beyond me.

Truly, I have set my soul

in tranquility and silence.

As a weaned child on its mother,

as a weaned child is my soul within me.

O Israel, wait for the LORD,

both now and forever.

-Revised Grail Psalms

NABRE Notes:

[Psalm 131] A song of trust, in which the psalmist gives up self-sufficiency (Ps 131:1), like a babe enjoying the comfort of its mother’s lap (Ps 131:2), thus providing a model for Israel’s faith (Ps 131:3).

Mondays with the New Psalms: Psalm 130

Psalm 130 (De profundis)


A song of ascents.

Out of the depths I call to you, LORD;

Lord, hear my cry!

May your ears be attentive

to my cry for mercy.

If you, LORD, keep account of sins,

Lord, who can stand?

But with you is forgiveness

and so you are revered.

I wait for the LORD,

my soul waits

and I hope for his word.

My soul looks for the Lord

more than sentinels for daybreak.

More than sentinels for daybreak,

let Israel hope in the LORD,

For with the LORD is mercy,

with him is plenteous redemption,

And he will redeem Israel

from all its sins.

-NABRE

A Song of Ascents.

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;

Lord, hear my voice!

O let your ears be attentive

to the sound of my pleadings

If you, O LORD, should mark iniquities,

Lord, who could stand?

But with you is found forgiveness,

that you may be revered.

I long for you, O LORD,

my soul longs for his word.

My soul hopes in the Lord

more than watchmen for daybreak.

More than watchmen for daybreak,

let Israel hope for the LORD.

For with the LORD there is mercy,

in him is plentiful redemption.

It is he who will redeem Israel

from all its iniquities.

-Revised Grail Psalms

NABRE Notes:

[Psalm 130] This lament, a Penitential Psalm, is the De profundis used in liturgical prayers for the faithful departed. In deep sorrow the psalmist cries to God (Ps 130:1–2), asking for mercy (Ps 130:3–4). The psalmist’s trust (Ps 130:5–6) becomes a model for the people (Ps 130:7–8).

[130:1] The depths: Sheol here is a metaphor of total misery. Deep anguish makes the psalmist feel “like those descending to the pit” (Ps 143:7).

[130:4] And so you are revered: the experience of God’s mercy leads one to a greater sense of God.

Mondays with the New Psalms: Psalm 129

Psalm 129

A song of ascents.

Viciously have they attacked me from my youth,
let Israel say now.
Viciously have they attacked me from my youth,
yet they have not prevailed against me.

Upon my back the plowers plowed,
as they traced their long furrows.
But the just LORD cut me free
from the ropes of the wicked.

May they recoil in disgrace,
all who hate Zion.
May they be like grass on the rooftops
withered in early growth,

Never to fill the reaper’s hands,
nor the arms of the binders of sheaves,
And with none passing by to call out:
“The blessing of the LORD be upon you!
We bless you in the name of the LORD!”
-NABRE


A Song of Ascents.

"They have pressed me hard from my youth,"
let Israel sing.
"They have pressed me hard from my youth,
but could never overcome me.

The plowmen plowed my back,
drawing long furrows.
Yet the LORD, who is just, has destroyed
the yoke of the wicked."

Let them be shamed and routed,
all those who hate Sion!
Let them be like grass on the roof,
that withers before it flowers.

With that no reaper fills his hands,
no binder of sheaves his arms.
And those passing by will not say,
"The blessing of the LORD be upon you!"
We bless you in the name of the LORD!
-Revised Grail Pslams


NABRE Notes:
[Psalm 129] A Psalm giving thanks for God’s many rescues of Israel over the long course of their history (Ps 129:1–4); the people pray that their oppressors never know the joy of harvest (Ps 129:5–8).


[129:4] The ropes of the wicked: usually understood as the rope for yoking animals to the plow. If it is severed, the plowing (cf. Ps 129:3) comes to a halt.

[129:6] Like grass on the rooftops: after the spring rains, grass would sprout from the coat of mud with which the flat roofs of simple houses were covered, but when the dry summer began there was no moisture in the thin roof-covering to sustain the grass.

[129:8] The blessing of the LORD be upon you: harvesters greeted one another with such blessings, cf. Ru 2:4.

Mondays with the New Psalms: Psalm 128

Psalm 128

1 A song of ascents.

Blessed are all who fear the LORD,
and who walk in his ways.
2 What your hands provide you will enjoy;
you will be blessed and prosper:

3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine
within your home,
Your children like young olive plants
around your table.
4 Just so will the man be blessed
who fears the LORD.

5 May the LORD bless you from Zion;
may you see Jerusalem’s prosperity
all the days of your life,
6 and live to see your children’s children.
Peace upon Israel!
-NABRE


1 A Song of Ascents.

Blessed are all who fear the LORD,
and walk in his ways!
2 By the labor of your hands you shall eat.
You will be blessed and prosper.

3 Your wife like a fruitful vine
in the heart of your house;
your children like shoots of the olive
around your table.
4 Indeed thus shall be blessed
the man who fears the LORD.

5 May the LORD bless you from Sion.
May you see Jerusalem prosper
all the days of your life!
6 May you see your children's children.
On Israel, peace!
-Revised Grail Psalms


NABRE Notes:
[Psalm 128] A statement that the ever-reliable God will bless the reverent (Ps 128:1). God’s blessing is concrete: satisfaction and prosperity, a fertile spouse and abundant children (Ps 128:2–4). The perspective is that of the adult male, ordinarily the ruler and representative of the household to the community. The last verses extend the blessing to all the people for generations to come (Ps 128:5–6).

Monday with the New Psalms: Psalm 127

1 A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

Unless the LORD build the house,
they labor in vain who build.
Unless the LORD guard the city,
in vain does the guard keep watch.

2 It is vain for you to rise early
and put off your rest at night,
To eat bread earned by hard toil—
all this God gives to his beloved in sleep.

3 Certainly sons are a gift from the LORD,
the fruit of the womb, a reward.
4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior
are the sons born in one’s youth.

5 Blessed is the man who has filled his quiver with them.
He will never be shamed
for he will destroy his foes at the gate.
--NABRE


1 A Song of Ascents. Of Solomon.

If the LORD does not build the house,
in vain do its builders labor;
if the LORD does not guard the city,
in vain does the guard keep watch.

2 In vain is your earlier rising,
your going later to rest,
you who toil for the bread you eat,
when he pours gifts on his beloved while they slumber.

3 Yes, children are a gift from the LORD,
a blessing, the fruit of the womb.
4 Indeed, the sons of youth
are like arrows in the hand of a warrior.

5 Blessed is the warrior
who has filled his quiver with these arrows!
He will have no cause for shame,
when he disputes with his foes in the gateways.
--Revised Grail Psalms


NABRE Notes:
[Psalm 127] The Psalm puts together two proverbs (Ps 127:1–2, 3–5) on God establishing “houses” or families. The prosperity of human groups is not the work of human beings but the gift of God.


[127:5] At the gate: the reference is not to enemies besieging the walls of a city but to adversaries in litigation. Law courts functioned in the open area near the main city gate. The more adult sons a man had, the more forceful he would appear in disputes, cf. Prv 31:23.

Mondays with the New Psalms: Psalm 126

Psalm 126

1 A song of ascents.

When the LORD restored the captives of Zion,
we thought we were dreaming.
2 Then our mouths were filled with laughter;
our tongues sang for joy.

Then it was said among the nations,
“The LORD had done great things for them.”
3 The LORD has done great things for us;
Oh, how happy we were!

4 Restore our captives, LORD,
like the dry stream beds of the Negeb.
5 Those who sow in tears
will reap with cries of joy.

6 Those who go forth weeping,
carrying sacks of seed,
Will return with cries of joy,
carrying their bundled sheaves.
--NABRE


1 A Song of Ascents.

When the LORD brought back the exiles of Sion,
we thought we were dreaming.
2 Then was our mouth filled with laughter;
on our tongues, songs of joy.

Then the nations themselves said, "What great deeds
the LORD worked for them!"
3 What great deeds the LORD worked for us!
Indeed, we were glad.

4 Bring back our exiles, O LORD,
as streams in the south.
5 Those who are sowing in tears
will sing when they reap.

6 They go out, they go out, full of tears,
bearing seed for the sowing;
they come back, they come back with a song,
bearing their sheaves.
--Revised Grail Psalms

NABRE Notes;
[Psalm 126] A lament probably sung shortly after Israel’s return from exile. The people rejoice that they are in Zion (Ps 126:1–3) but mere presence in the holy city is not enough; they must pray for the prosperity and the fertility of the land (Ps 126:4). The last verses are probably an oracle of promise: the painful work of sowing will be crowned with life (Ps 126:5–6).

[126:4] Like the dry stream beds of the Negeb: the psalmist prays for rain in such abundance that the dry riverbeds will run.

Monday with the New Psalms: Psalm 125

Psalm 125

1 A song of ascents.
Those trusting in the LORD are like Mount Zion,
unshakable, forever enduring.a
2 As mountains surround Jerusalem,
the LORD surrounds his people
both now and forever.

3 The scepter of the wicked will not prevail
in the land allotted to the just,
Lest the just themselves
turn their hands to evil.

4 Do good, LORD, to the good,
to those who are upright of heart.
5 But those who turn aside to crooked ways
may the LORD send down with the evildoers.
Peace upon Israel!
--NABRE


1 A Song of Ascents.

Those who put their trust in the LORD
are like Mount Sion, that cannot be shaken,
that stands forever.
2 Jerusalem! The mountains surround her;
so the LORD surrounds his people,
both now and forever.

3 For the scepter of the wicked shall not rest
over the land allotted to the just,
for fear that the hands of the just
should turn to evil.

4 Do good, LORD, to those who are good,
to the upright of heart;
5 but those who turn to crooked ways--
the LORD will drive away with the wicked!
On Israel, peace!
--Revised Grail Psalms


NABRE Notes:
[Psalm 125] In response to exilic anxieties about the ancient promises of restoration, the Psalm expresses confidence that God will surround the people as the mountains surround Zion (Ps 125:1–2). The just will not be contaminated by the wicked (Ps 125:3). May God judge between the two groups (Ps 125:4–5).
[125:3] The land allotted to the just: lit., “the lot of the righteous.” The promised land was divided among the tribes of Israel by lot (Nm 26:55; Jos 18). The righteous are the members of the people who are obedient to God. If the domination of the wicked were to continue in the land, even the just would be infected by their evil attitudes.

Monday with the New Psalms: Psalm 124

Psalm 124

1 A song of ascents. Of David.

Had not the LORD been with us,
let Israel say,
2 Had not the LORD been with us,
when people rose against us,
3 Then they would have swallowed us alive,
for their fury blazed against us.

4 Then the waters would have engulfed us,
the torrent overwhelmed us;
5 then seething water would have drowned us.

6 Blessed is the LORD, who did not leave us
to be torn by their teeth.
7 We escaped with our lives
like a bird from the fowler’s snare;

The snare was broken,
and we escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of the LORD,
the maker of heaven and earth
--NABRE


1 A Song of Ascents. Of David.
"If the LORD had not been on our side,"
let Israel say--
2 "If the LORD had not been on our side
when people rose against us,
3 then would they have swallowed us alive
when their anger was kindled.

4 Then would the waters have engulfed us,
the torrent gone over us;
5 over our head would have swept
the raging waters."

6 Blest be the LORD who did not not give us
a prey to their teeth!
7 Our life, like a bird, has escaped
from the snare of the fowler.

Indeed, the snare has been broken,
and we have escaped.
8 Our help is in the name of the LORD,
who made heaver and earth.

--Revised Grail Psalms

NABRE notes:
[Psalm 124] A thanksgiving which teaches that Israel’s very existence is owed to God who rescues them. In the first part Israel’s enemies are compared to the mythic sea dragon (Ps 124:2b–3a; cf. Jer 51:34) and Flood (Ps 124:3b–5; cf. Is 51:9–10). The Psalm heightens the malice of human enemies by linking them to the primordial enemies of God’s creation. Israel is a bird freed from the trapper’s snare (Ps 124:6–8)—freed originally from Pharaoh and now from the current danger. [124:8] Our help is in the name: for the idiom, see Ex 18:4.

Monday with the New Psalms: Psalm 123 (122)

Psalm 123

1 A song of ascents.
To you I raise my eyes,
to you enthroned in heaven.

2 Yes, like the eyes of servants
on the hand of their masters,
like the eyes of a maid
on the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes are on the LORD our God,
till we are shown favor.

3 Show us favor, LORD, show us favor,
for we have our fill of contempt.

4 Our souls are more than sated
with mockery from the insolent,
with contempt from the arrogant.
--NABRE


1 A Song of Ascents.
To you have I lifted up my eyes,
you who dwell in the heavens.

2 Behold, like the eyes of slaves
on the hand of their lords,
like the eyes of a servant
on the hand of her mistress,
so our eyes are on the LORD our God,
till he shows us his mercy.

3 Have mercy on us, Lord, have mercy.
We are filled with contempt.

4 Indeed, all too full is our soul
with the scorn of the arrogant,
the disdain of the proud.
--Revised Grail Psalms


NABRE Notes:
[Psalm 123] A lament that begins as a prayer of an individual (Ps 123:1), who expresses by a touching comparison exemplary confidence in God (Ps 123:2). The Psalm ends in prayer that God relieve the people’s humiliation at the hands of the arrogant (Ps 123:3–4).

Mondays with the New Psalms: Psalm 122 (121)

Psalm 122

1 A song of ascents. Of David.
I rejoiced when they said to me,
“Let us go to the house of the LORD.”
2 And now our feet are standing
within your gates, Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem, built as a city,
walled round about.
4 There the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD,
As it was decreed for Israel,
to give thanks to the name of the LORD.
5 There are the thrones of justice,
the thrones of the house of David.

6 For the peace of Jerusalem pray:
“May those who love you prosper!
7 May peace be within your ramparts,
prosperity within your towers.”
8 For the sake of my brothers and friends I say,
“Peace be with you.”
9 For the sake of the house of the LORD, our God,
I pray for your good.
--NABRE


1 A Song of Ascent. Of David.
I rejoiced when they said to me,
"Let us go to the house of the LORD."
2 And now our feet are standing
within your gates, O Jerusalem.
3 Jerusalem is built as a city
bonded as one together.
4 It is there that the tribes go up,
the tribes of the LORD.
For Israel's witness it is
to praise the name of the LORD.
5 There were set thrones for judgment,
the thrones of the house of David.

6 For the peace of Jerusalem pray,
"May they prosper, those who love you."
7 May peace abide in your walls,
and security be in your towers.
8 For the sake of my family and friends,
let me say, "Peace upon you."
9 For the sake of the house of the LORD, our God,
I will seek good things for you.
--Revised Grail Psalms


NABRE Notes:
[Psalm 122] A song of Zion, sung by pilgrims obeying the law to visit Jerusalem three times on a journey. The singer anticipates joining the procession into the city (Ps 122:1–3). Jerusalem is a place of encounter, where the people praise God (Ps 122:4) and hear the divine justice mediated by the king (Ps 122:5). The very buildings bespeak God’s power (cf. Ps 48:13–15). May the grace of this place transform the people’s lives (Ps 122:6–9)!

[122:3] Walled round about: lit., “which is joined to it,” probably referring both to the density of the buildings and to the dense population.

Mondays with the New Psalms: Psalm 121 (120)

Psalm 121

1 A song of ascents.
I raise my eyes toward the mountains.
From whence shall come my help?
2 My help comes from the LORD,
the maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not allow your foot to slip;
or your guardian to sleep.
4 Behold, the guardian of Israel
never slumbers nor sleeps.

5 The LORD is your guardian;
the LORD is your shade
at your right hand.
6 By day the sun will not strike you,
nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD will guard you from all evil;
he will guard your soul.
8 The LORD will guard your coming and going
both now and forever.
--NABRE


1 A song of Ascents.
I lift up my eyes to the mountains;
from where shall come my help?
2 My help shall come from the LORD,
who made heaven and earth.

3 He will keep your foot from stumbling.
Your guard will never slumber.
4 No, he sleeps not nor slumbers,
Israel’s guard.

5 The LORD your guard, the LORD your shade
at your right hand.
6 By day the sun shall not smite you,
nor the moon in the night.

7 The LORD will guard you from evil;
he will guard your soul.
8 The LORD will guard your going and coming,
both now and forever.
--Revised Grail Psalms

NABRE Notes:
[Psalm 121] A blessing given to someone embarking on a dangerous journey whether a soldier going on a campaign or a pilgrim returning home from the Temple. People look anxiously at the wooded hills. Will God protect them on their journey (Ps 121:1)? The speaker declares that God is not confined to a place or a time (Ps 121:2), that every step is guarded (Ps 121:3–4); night and day (Ps 121:5–6) God watches over their every movement (Ps 121:7–8).

[121:1] The mountains: possibly Mount Zion, the site of the Temple and hence of safety, but more probably mountains as a place of dangers, causing anxiety to the psalmist.

[121:5–6] The image of shade, a symbol of protection, is apt: God as shade protects from the harmful effects that ancients believed were caused by the sun and moon.

New Series: Mondays with the New Psalms

With the conclusion of the Mondays with Verbum Domini series a few weeks back, I wanted to initiate a new series of posts each Monday morning to fill the void. So, I have decided to begin a weekly post comparing the two most recent Catholic translations of the Psalms, the Revised Grail Psalms and the NABRE Psalms. Each Monday, I will post a particular Psalm in both translations, with limited comments, in hopes of initiating a discussion on them. Having returned to using the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary on a daily basis, which relies heavily on Psalms 120-134, I am going to begin with the Psalms of Ascent (or Gradual Psalms).

Psalm 120

1 A song of ascents.
The LORD answered me
when I called in my distress:
2 LORD, deliver my soul from lying lips,
from a treacherous tongue.

3 What will he inflict on you,
O treacherous tongue,
and what more besides?
4 A warrior’s arrows
sharpened with coals of brush wood!

5 Alas, I am a foreigner in Meshech,
I live among the tents of Kedar!
6 Too long do I live
among those who hate peace.
7 When I speak of peace,
they are for war.
--NABRE


1 A Song of Ascents.
To the LORD in the hour of my distress
I call—and he answers me.
2 “O Lord, save my soul from lying lips,
from the tongue of the deceitful.”

3 What should he give you, what repay you,
O deceitful tongue?
4 The warrior’s arrows sharpened,
with red-hot coals from the broom tree!

5 Alas, that I live in Meschech,
dwell among the tents of Kedar!
6 I have had enough of dwelling
with those who hate peace.
7 I am for peace, but when I speak,
they are for war.
--Revised Grail Psalms