A TRADITIONAL DEVOTIONAL
The Psalms have always belonged to the whole people of God.
They have been sung in temples and whispered at bedsides, prayed in sorrow and lifted in joy, spoken by kings, shepherds, mothers, children, saints, sinners, mourners, and all who have ever sought the face of the Lord. They are not distant religious poems. They are living prayers. They give words to the soul when the soul itself can scarcely speak.
This devotional was prepared especially for women. It is not a new Bible translation, nor is it an attempt to correct, replace, or improve upon Scripture. The Word of God is not deficient. It does not need our help to become true, living, or powerful. Rather, this is a devotional rendering based on a traditional English form of the Psalms, prepared to help women hear the ancient prayers with renewed attention.
This devotional has two important features.
First, we have not included commentary after the Psalms. That choice is deliberate. Commentary has its place, and faithful teachers are a gift to the Church. But there are times when it is good simply to sit before the Word of God and listen. Only the Bible is the inspired Word of God. Sometimes the soul needs fewer explanations and more silence; fewer voices around the text and more room for the Holy Spirit to speak directly through it.
Second, this devotional sets aside a common convention of older English, in which words meant for both men and women are often rendered in masculine form. Words directed generally to the reader are rendered here in feminine form. Where a Psalm speaks of the faithful person, the sufferer, the worshiper, or the one who trusts in God, the language has been shaped so that the woman reader may hear the Psalm addressed more directly to her.
So, where a traditional English rendering may say, “Blessed is the man,” this devotional may say, “Blessed is the woman.” Where the Psalm speaks of “his delight,” this devotional may speak of “her delight.” The purpose is not to change Scripture, but to draw the reader nearer to it: to let the words fall freshly upon the heart, so that a woman may hear herself more immediately within the ancient prayer.
This is a restrained and reverent rendering. The Lord remains the Lord. The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob remains the God who reveals Himself in Scripture. The names of historical figures remain unchanged. David remains David. Moses remains Moses. Israel remains Israel. Nor have we altered the name or nature of God. Messianic and divine language has been treated with care, reverence, and faithfulness. Where a Psalm is read by Christians as Messianic or prophetically fulfilled in Christ, this devotional rendering preserves the language associated with that fulfillment.
The language of this edition begins with the most poetic and influential English form of the Psalms: the King James Version. Its cadence has shaped prayer, worship, and English devotion for centuries. Yet some of its older grammar and phrasing can feel distant to modern ears. For that reason, we have changed “thou” to “you” while seeking to preserve the dignity, music, and solemn beauty of the original style.
The hope of this devotional is simple: that the woman who reads these Psalms will hear the prayer as present, personal, and alive.
May she find her own longing in these words.
May she find her sorrow named.
May she find her courage strengthened.
May she find her repentance deepened.
May she find her praise lifted.
And above all, may she find the Lord, who has always known her, always seen her, and always called her by name.
Psalm 1
Blessed is the woman
who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
nor stands in the way of sinners,
nor sits in the seat of the scornful.
But her delight is in the law of the Lord,
and in His law she meditates day and night.
And she shall be like a tree
planted by the rivers of water,
that brings forth her fruit in her season;
her leaf also shall not wither,
and whatever she does shall prosper.
The ungodly are not so,
but are like the chaff
which the wind drives away.
Therefore, the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment,
nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.
For the Lord knows the way of the righteous,
but the way of the ungodly shall perish.
Psalm 15
Lord, who shall abide in Your tabernacle?
Who shall dwell in Your holy hill?
She who walks uprightly,
and works righteousness,
and speaks the truth in her heart.
She who does not backbite with her tongue,
nor does evil to her neighbor,
nor takes up a reproach against her neighbor.
In her eyes a vile person is despised;
but she honors those who fear the Lord.
She who swears to her own hurt,
and does not change.
She who does not put out her money to usury,
nor takes reward against the innocent.
She who does these things
shall never be moved.
Psalm 32
Blessed is she whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the woman
unto whom the Lord does not impute iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no guile.
When I kept silence,
my bones waxed old
through my roaring all the day long.
For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me:
my moisture is turned into the drought of summer.
I acknowledged my sin unto You,
and my iniquity I have not hidden.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord,”
and You forgave the iniquity of my sin.
For this shall every godly woman pray unto You
in a time when You may be found:
surely in the floods of great waters
they shall not come near her.
You are my hiding place;
You shall preserve me from trouble;
You shall surround me
with songs of deliverance.
“I will instruct you and teach you
in the way which you shall go:
I will guide you with My eye.
Do not be as the horse,
or as the mule,
which have no understanding:
whose mouth must be held in
with bit and bridle,
lest they come near unto you.”
Many sorrows shall be to the wicked:
but she who trusts in the Lord,
mercy shall surround her.
Be glad in the Lord,
and rejoice, you righteous:
and shout for joy,
all you who are upright in heart.
Psalm 37
Do not fret yourself because of evildoers,
nor be envious against the workers of iniquity.
For they shall soon be cut down like the grass,
and wither as the green herb.
Trust in the Lord, and do good;
so shall you dwell in the land,
and truly you shall be fed.
Delight yourself also in the Lord;
and He shall give you
the desires of your heart.
Commit your way unto the Lord;
trust also in Him,
and He shall bring it to pass.
And He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light,
and your judgment as the noonday.
Rest in the Lord,
and wait patiently for Him:
do not fret because of her who prospers in her way,
because of the woman who brings wicked devices to pass.
Cease from anger,
and forsake wrath:
do not fret yourself in any wise to do evil.
For evildoers shall be cut off:
but those who wait upon the Lord,
they shall inherit the earth.
For yet a little while,
and the wicked shall not be:
yes, you shall diligently consider her place,
and it shall not be.
But the meek shall inherit the earth;
and shall delight themselves
in the abundance of peace.
The wicked plots against the just,
and gnashes upon her with her teeth.
The Lord shall laugh at her:
for He sees that her day is coming.
The wicked have drawn out the sword,
and have bent their bow,
to cast down the poor and needy,
and to slay such as are of upright conduct.
Their sword shall enter into their own heart,
and their bows shall be broken.
A little that a righteous woman has
is better than the riches of many wicked.
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken:
but the Lord upholds the righteous.
The Lord knows the days of the upright:
and their inheritance shall be forever.
They shall not be ashamed in the evil time:
and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.
But the wicked shall perish,
and the enemies of the Lord
shall be as the fat of lambs:
they shall consume;
into smoke shall they consume away.
The wicked borrows, and does not repay:
but the righteous woman shows mercy, and gives.
For those blessed by Him shall inherit the earth;
and those cursed by Him shall be cut off.
The steps of a good woman
are ordered by the Lord:
and He delights in her way.
Though she fall,
she shall not be utterly cast down:
for the Lord upholds her with His hand.
I have been young,
and now am old;
yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken,
nor her seed begging bread.
She is ever merciful, and lends;
and her seed is blessed.
Depart from evil, and do good;
and dwell forevermore.
For the Lord loves judgment,
and does not forsake His saints;
they are preserved forever:
but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off.
The righteous shall inherit the land,
and dwell therein forever.
The mouth of the righteous woman speaks wisdom,
and her tongue talks of judgment.
The law of her God is in her heart;
none of her steps shall slide.
The wicked watches the righteous,
and seeks to slay her.
The Lord will not leave her in her hand,
nor condemn her when she is judged.
Wait on the Lord,
and keep His way,
and He shall exalt you to inherit the land:
when the wicked are cut off,
you shall see it.
I have seen the wicked in great power,
and spreading herself like a green bay tree.
Yet she passed away,
and, lo, she was not:
yes, I sought her,
but she could not be found.
Mark the perfect woman,
and behold the upright:
for the end of that woman is peace.
But the transgressors shall be destroyed together:
the end of the wicked shall be cut off.
But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord:
He is their strength in the time of trouble.
And the Lord shall help them,
and deliver them:
He shall deliver them from the wicked,
and save them,
because they trust in Him.
Psalm 112
Praise the Lord.
Blessed is the woman who fears the Lord,
who delights greatly in His commandments.
Her seed shall be mighty upon earth:
the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
Wealth and riches shall be in her house:
and her righteousness endures forever.
Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness:
she is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
A good woman shows favor, and lends:
she will guide her affairs with discretion.
Surely she shall not be moved forever:
the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
She shall not be afraid of evil tidings:
her heart is fixed,
trusting in the Lord.
Her heart is established,
she shall not be afraid,
until she sees her desire upon her enemies.
She has dispersed,
she has given to the poor;
her righteousness endures forever;
her horn shall be exalted with honor.
The wicked shall see it,
and be grieved;
she shall gnash with her teeth,
and melt away:
the desire of the wicked shall perish.
Psalm 119
Aleph
Blessed are the undefiled in the way,
who walk in the law of the Lord.
Blessed are they who keep His testimonies,
and who seek Him with the whole heart.
They also do no iniquity:
they walk in His ways.
You have commanded us
to keep Your precepts diligently.
O that my ways were directed
to keep Your statutes!
Then shall I not be ashamed,
when I have respect unto all Your commandments.
I will praise You with uprightness of heart,
when I shall have learned Your righteous judgments.
I will keep Your statutes:
O do not forsake me utterly.
Beth
How shall a young woman cleanse her way?
By taking heed thereto according to Your word.
With my whole heart have I sought You:
O let me not wander from Your commandments.
Your word have I hidden in my heart,
that I might not sin against You.
Blessed are You, O Lord:
teach me Your statutes.
With my lips have I declared
all the judgments of Your mouth.
I have rejoiced in the way of Your testimonies,
as much as in all riches.
I will meditate in Your precepts,
and have respect unto Your ways.
I will delight myself in Your statutes:
I will not forget Your word.
Gimel
Deal bountifully with Your servant,
that I may live, and keep Your word.
Open my eyes,
that I may behold wondrous things
out of Your law.
I am a stranger in the earth:
hide not Your commandments from me.
My soul breaks for the longing
that it has unto Your judgments at all times.
You have rebuked the proud
who are cursed,
who err from Your commandments.
Remove from me reproach and contempt;
for I have kept Your testimonies.
Princes also sat and spoke against me:
but Your servant meditated in Your statutes.
Your testimonies also are my delight
and my counselors.
Daleth
My soul cleaves unto the dust:
quicken me according to Your word.
I have declared my ways,
and You heard me:
teach me Your statutes.
Make me to understand the way of Your precepts:
so shall I talk of Your wondrous works.
My soul melts for heaviness:
strengthen me according to Your word.
Remove from me the way of lying:
and grant me Your law graciously.
I have chosen the way of truth:
Your judgments have I laid before me.
I have stuck unto Your testimonies:
O Lord, put me not to shame.
I will run the way of Your commandments,
when You shall enlarge my heart.
He
Teach me, O Lord,
the way of Your statutes;
and I shall keep it unto the end.
Give me understanding,
and I shall keep Your law;
yes, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Make me to go in the path of Your commandments;
for therein do I delight.
Incline my heart unto Your testimonies,
and not to covetousness.
Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity;
and quicken me in Your way.
Establish Your word unto Your servant,
who is devoted to Your fear.
Turn away my reproach which I fear:
for Your judgments are good.
Behold, I have longed after Your precepts:
quicken me in Your righteousness.
Vav
Let Your mercies come also unto me, O Lord,
even Your salvation, according to Your word.
So shall I have an answer for her who reproaches me:
for I trust in Your word.
And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth;
for I have hoped in Your judgments.
So shall I keep Your law continually
forever and ever.
And I will walk at liberty:
for I seek Your precepts.
I will speak of Your testimonies also before kings,
and will not be ashamed.
And I will delight myself in Your commandments,
which I have loved.
My hands also will I lift up unto Your commandments,
which I have loved;
and I will meditate in Your statutes.
Zayin
Remember the word unto Your servant,
upon which You have caused me to hope.
This is my comfort in my affliction:
for Your word has quickened me.
The proud have had me greatly in derision:
yet have I not declined from Your law.
I remembered Your judgments of old, O Lord;
and have comforted myself.
Horror has taken hold upon me
because of the wicked
who forsake Your law.
Your statutes have been my songs
in the house of my pilgrimage.
I have remembered Your name, O Lord,
in the night,
and have kept Your law.
This I had,
because I kept Your precepts.
Heth
You are my portion, O Lord:
I have said that I would keep Your words.
I entreated Your favor with my whole heart:
be merciful unto me according to Your word.
I thought on my ways,
and turned my feet unto Your testimonies.
I made haste,
and delayed not
to keep Your commandments.
The bands of the wicked have robbed me:
but I have not forgotten Your law.
At midnight I will rise to give thanks unto You
because of Your righteous judgments.
I am a companion of all those who fear You,
and of those who keep Your precepts.
The earth, O Lord,
is full of Your mercy:
teach me Your statutes.
Teth
You have dealt well with Your servant,
O Lord, according unto Your word.
Teach me good judgment and knowledge:
for I have believed Your commandments.
Before I was afflicted I went astray:
but now have I kept Your word.
You are good, and do good;
teach me Your statutes.
The proud have forged a lie against me:
but I will keep Your precepts with my whole heart.
Their heart is as fat as grease;
but I delight in Your law.
It is good for me that I have been afflicted;
that I might learn Your statutes.
The law of Your mouth is better unto me
than thousands of gold and silver.
Yod
Your hands have made me and fashioned me:
give me understanding,
that I may learn Your commandments.
Those who fear You will be glad when they see me;
because I have hoped in Your word.
I know, O Lord,
that Your judgments are right,
and that You in faithfulness have afflicted me.
Let, I pray You,
Your merciful kindness be for my comfort,
according to Your word unto Your servant.
Let Your tender mercies come unto me,
that I may live:
for Your law is my delight.
Let the proud be ashamed;
for they dealt perversely with me without a cause:
but I will meditate in Your precepts.
Let those who fear You turn unto me,
and those who have known Your testimonies.
Let my heart be sound in Your statutes;
that I be not ashamed.
Kaph
My soul faints for Your salvation:
but I hope in Your word.
My eyes fail for Your word,
saying, “When will You comfort me?”
For I have become like a bottle in the smoke;
yet I do not forget Your statutes.
How many are the days of Your servant?
When will You execute judgment
on those who persecute me?
The proud have dug pits for me,
which are not according to Your law.
All Your commandments are faithful:
they persecute me wrongfully;
help me.
They had almost consumed me upon earth;
but I did not forsake Your precepts.
Quicken me after Your lovingkindness;
so shall I keep the testimony of Your mouth.
Lamed
Forever, O Lord,
Your word is settled in heaven.
Your faithfulness is unto all generations:
You have established the earth,
and it abides.
They continue this day according to Your ordinances:
for all are Your servants.
Unless Your law had been my delights,
I should then have perished in my affliction.
I will never forget Your precepts:
for with them You have quickened me.
I am Yours; save me;
for I have sought Your precepts.
The wicked have waited for me to destroy me:
but I will consider Your testimonies.
I have seen an end of all perfection:
but Your commandment is exceedingly broad.
Mem
O how I love Your law!
It is my meditation all the day.
You, through Your commandments,
have made me wiser than my enemies:
for they are ever with me.
I have more understanding than all my teachers:
for Your testimonies are my meditation.
I understand more than the ancients,
because I keep Your precepts.
I have refrained my feet
from every evil way,
that I might keep Your word.
I have not departed from Your judgments:
for You have taught me.
How sweet are Your words unto my taste!
yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth.
Through Your precepts I get understanding:
therefore I hate every false way.
Nun
Your word is a lamp unto my feet,
and a light unto my path.
I have sworn, and I will perform it,
that I will keep Your righteous judgments.
I am afflicted very much:
quicken me, O Lord, according to Your word.
Accept, I pray You,
the freewill offerings of my mouth, O Lord,
and teach me Your judgments.
My soul is continually in my hand:
yet I do not forget Your law.
The wicked have laid a snare for me:
yet I did not err from Your precepts.
Your testimonies have I taken as a heritage forever:
for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
I have inclined my heart
to perform Your statutes always,
even unto the end.
Samekh
I hate vain thoughts:
but Your law do I love.
You are my hiding place and my shield:
I hope in Your word.
Depart from me, you evildoers:
for I will keep the commandments of my God.
Uphold me according unto Your word,
that I may live:
and let me not be ashamed of my hope.
Hold me up,
and I shall be safe:
and I will have respect unto Your statutes continually.
You have trodden down all those who err from Your statutes:
for their deceit is falsehood.
You put away all the wicked of the earth like dross:
therefore I love Your testimonies.
My flesh trembles for fear of You;
and I am afraid of Your judgments.
Ayin
I have done judgment and justice:
leave me not to my oppressors.
Be surety for Your servant for good:
let not the proud oppress me.
My eyes fail for Your salvation,
and for the word of Your righteousness.
Deal with Your servant according unto Your mercy,
and teach me Your statutes.
I am Your servant;
give me understanding,
that I may know Your testimonies.
It is time for You, Lord, to work:
for they have made void Your law.
Therefore I love Your commandments
above gold; yes, above fine gold.
Therefore I esteem all Your precepts concerning all things to be right;
and I hate every false way.
Pe
Your testimonies are wonderful:
therefore my soul keeps them.
The entrance of Your words gives light;
it gives understanding unto the simple.
I opened my mouth, and panted:
for I longed for Your commandments.
Look upon me,
and be merciful unto me,
as You used to do unto those who love Your name.
Order my steps in Your word:
and let not any iniquity have dominion over me.
Deliver me from the oppression of women:
so will I keep Your precepts.
Make Your face to shine upon Your servant;
and teach me Your statutes.
Rivers of waters run down my eyes,
because they do not keep Your law.
Tsadde
Righteous are You, O Lord,
and upright are Your judgments.
Your testimonies that You have commanded
are righteous and very faithful.
My zeal has consumed me,
because my enemies have forgotten Your words.
Your word is very pure:
therefore Your servant loves it.
I am small and despised:
yet I do not forget Your precepts.
Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
and Your law is the truth.
Trouble and anguish have taken hold on me:
yet Your commandments are my delights.
The righteousness of Your testimonies is everlasting:
give me understanding, and I shall live.
Qoph
I cried with my whole heart;
hear me, O Lord:
I will keep Your statutes.
I cried unto You;
save me,
and I shall keep Your testimonies.
I rose before the dawning of the morning,
and cried:
I hoped in Your word.
My eyes prevent the night watches,
that I might meditate in Your word.
Hear my voice according unto Your lovingkindness:
O Lord, quicken me according to Your judgment.
They draw near who follow after mischief:
they are far from Your law.
You are near, O Lord;
and all Your commandments are truth.
Concerning Your testimonies,
I have known of old
that You have founded them forever.
Resh
Consider my affliction,
and deliver me:
for I do not forget Your law.
Plead my cause,
and deliver me:
quicken me according to Your word.
Salvation is far from the wicked:
for they do not seek Your statutes.
Great are Your tender mercies, O Lord:
quicken me according to Your judgments.
Many are my persecutors and my enemies;
yet I do not decline from Your testimonies.
I beheld the transgressors,
and was grieved;
because they did not keep Your word.
Consider how I love Your precepts:
quicken me, O Lord,
according to Your lovingkindness.
Your word is true from the beginning:
and every one of Your righteous judgments endures forever.
Shin
Princes have persecuted me without a cause:
but my heart stands in awe of Your word.
I rejoice at Your word,
as one who finds great spoil.
I hate and abhor lying:
but Your law do I love.
Seven times a day do I praise You
because of Your righteous judgments.
Great peace have they who love Your law:
and nothing shall offend them.
Lord, I have hoped for Your salvation,
and done Your commandments.
My soul has kept Your testimonies;
and I love them exceedingly.
I have kept Your precepts and Your testimonies:
for all my ways are before You.
Tav
Let my cry come near before You, O Lord:
give me understanding according to Your word.
Let my supplication come before You:
deliver me according to Your word.
My lips shall utter praise,
when You have taught me Your statutes.
My tongue shall speak of Your word:
for all Your commandments are righteousness.
Let Your hand help me;
for I have chosen Your precepts.
I have longed for Your salvation, O Lord;
and Your law is my delight.
Let my soul live,
and it shall praise You;
and let Your judgments help me.
I have gone astray like a lost sheep;
seek Your servant;
for I do not forget Your commandments.