The Lord's Faithfulness to the Patriarchs
Psalms 104
This psalm recounts the Lord's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, his protection of them as sojourners among nations, and the account of Joseph's sale into slavery in Egypt and his rise to rule over Pharaoh's house. It continues through Israel's growth in Egypt, the sending of Moses and Aaron, the signs and plagues brought on Egypt, and the exodus into the land promised to Abraham.
About these editions
The Septuagint (LXX) in Greek, with Charles Thomson’s 1808 and Sir Lancelot Brenton’s 1851 English translations, set beside the King James Version and the Jewish Masoretic text (JPS 1917) where they align, so you can compare the Greek and the Hebrew. All public domain; choose which to show with the controls above.
Thomson 1808Septuagint
Brenton 1851Septuagint
Greek · BrentonSeptuagint
KJV 1769Masoretic
JPS 1917Masoretic
1
ThomsonO GIVE thanks to the Lord and invoke His name: proclaim His works among the nations.
BrentonAlleluia. Give thanks to the Lord, and call upon his name; declare his works among the heathen.
GreekἈλληλούϊα. Ἐξομολογεῖσθε τῷ Κυρίῳ, καὶ ἐπικαλεῖσθε τὸ ὄνομα αὐτοῦ· ἀπαγγείλατε ἐν τοῖς ἔθνεσι τὰ ἔργα αὐτοῦ.
KJVO give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
JPSO give thanks unto the LORD, call upon His name; Make known His doings among the peoples.
2
ThomsonSing to Him and sing with instrumental music; relate all His wonderous works.
BrentonSing to him, yea, sing praises to him: tell forth all his wonderful works.
GreekΑσατε αὐτῷ καὶ ψάλατε αὐτῷ. διηγήσασθε πάντα τὰ θαυμάσια αὐτοῦ.
KJVSing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.
JPSSing unto Him, sing praises unto Him; Speak ye of all His marvellous works.
3
ThomsonSing praises to His holy name. Let the heart of them, who seek the Lord, be glad.
BrentonGlory in his holy name: let the heart of them that seek the Lord rejoice.
GreekἘπαινεῖσθε ἐν τῷ ὀνόματι τῷ ἁγίῳ αὐτοῦ· εὐφρανθήτω καρδία ζητούντων τὸν Κύριον.
KJVGlory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.
JPSGlory ye in His holy name; Let the heart of them rejoice that seek the LORD.
4
ThomsonSeek the Lord and be confirmed in strength; seek His face continually.
BrentonSeek ye the Lord, and be strengthened; seek his face continually.
GreekΖητήσατε τὸν Κύριον καὶ κραταιώθητε· ζητήσατε τὸ πρόσωπον αὐτοῦ διαπαντός.
KJVSeek the LORD, and his strength: seek his face evermore.
JPSSeek ye the LORD and His strength; Seek His face continually.
5
ThomsonRemember His wonders which He hath done; His miracles and the judgments of His mouth.
BrentonRemember his wonderful works that he has done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
GreekΜνήσθητε τῶν θαυμασίων αὐτον ὧν ἐποίησε, τὰ τέρατα αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὰ κρίματα τοῦ στόματος αὐτοῦ.
KJVRemember his marvellous works that he hath done; his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth;
JPSRemember His marvellous works that He hath done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth;
6
ThomsonO ye seed of Abraham, His servants—ye children of Jacob, His chosen ones;
Brentonye seed of Abraam, his servants, ye children of Jacob, his chosen ones.
GreekΣπέρμα Ἁβραὰμ δοῦλοι αὐτοῦ, υἱοὶ Ἰακὼβ ἐκλεκτοὶ αὐτοῦ.
KJVO ye seed of Abraham his servant, ye children of Jacob his chosen.
JPSO ye seed of Abraham His servant, Ye children of Jacob, His chosen ones.
7
ThomsonHe is the Lord, our God, in all this land are His judgments.
BrentonHe is the Lord our God; his judgments are in all the earth.
GreekΑὐτὸς Κύριος ὁ Θεὸς ἡμῶν, ἐν πάσῃ τῇ γῇ τὰ κρίματα αὐτοῦ.
KJVHe is the LORD our God: his judgments are in all the earth.
JPSHe is the LORD our God; His judgments are in all the earth.
8
ThomsonHe remembered forever His covenant—a word which He gave in charge for a thousand generations:
BrentonHe has remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded for a thousand generations:
GreekἘμνήσθη εἰς τὸν αἰῶνα διαθήκης αὐτοῦ, λόγου οὗ ἐνετείλατο εἰς χιλίας γενεὰς,
KJVHe hath remembered his covenant for ever, the word which he commanded to a thousand generations.
JPSHe hath remembered His covenant for ever, The word which He commanded to a thousand generations;
9
Thomsonthe covenant which He made with Abraham, and that oath of His to Isaak,
Brentonwhich he established as a covenant to Abraam, and he remembered his oath to Isaac.
Greekὃν διέθετο τῷ Ἁβραὰμ, καὶ τοῦ ὅρκου αὐτοῦ τῷ Ἰσαάκ·
KJVWhich covenant he made with Abraham, and his oath unto Isaac;
JPS[The covenant] which He made with Abraham, And His oath unto Isaac;
10
Thomsonwhich He confirmed to Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant—
BrentonAnd he established it to Jacob for an ordinance, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant;
GreekΚαὶ ἔστησεν αὐτὴν τῷ Ἰακὼβ εἰς πρόσταγμα, καὶ τῷ Ἰσραὴλ εἰς διαθήκην αἰώνιον,
KJVAnd confirmed the same unto Jacob for a law, and to Israel for an everlasting covenant:
JPSAnd He established it unto Jacob for a statute, To Israel for an everlasting covenant;
11
Thomsonsaying, To thee I will give the land of Chanaan to be the lot of your inheritance.
Brentonsaying, To thee will I give the land of Chanaan, the line of your inheritance:
Greekλέγων, σοὶ δώσω τὴν γῆν Χαναὰν, σχοίνισμα κληρονομίας ὑμῶν.
KJVSaying, Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, the lot of your inheritance:
JPSSaying: 'Unto thee will I give the land of Canaan, The lot of your inheritance.'
12
ThomsonWhen they were few in number—of little account and sojourners therein;
Brentonwhen they were few in number, very few, and sojourners in it.
GreekἘν τῷ εἶναι αὐτοὺς ἀριθμῷ βραχεῖς, ὀλιγοστοὺς καὶ παροίκους ἐν αὐτῇ,
KJVWhen they were but a few men in number; yea, very few, and strangers in it.
JPSWhen they were but a few men in number. Yea, very few, and sojourners in it,
13
Thomsonwhen they passed through from nation to nation—from one kingdom to another people;
BrentonAnd they went from nation to nation, and from one kingdom to another people.
Greekκαὶ διῆλθον ἐξ ἔθνους εἰς ἔθνος, καὶ ἐκ βασιλείας εἰς λαὸν ἕτερον,
KJVWhen they went from one nation to another, from one kingdom to another people;
JPSAnd when they went about from nation to nation, From one kingdom to another people,
14
ThomsonHe suffered no man to injure them—He reproved kings for their sake,
BrentonHe suffered no man to wrong them; and he rebuked kings for their sakes:
Greekοὐκ ἀφῆκεν ἄνθρωπον ἀδικῆσαι αὐτοὺς, καὶ ἤλεγξεν ὑπὲρ αὐτῶν βασιλεῖς·
KJVHe suffered no man to do them wrong: yea, he reproved kings for their sakes;
JPSHe suffered no man to do them wrong, Yea, for their sake He reproved kings:
15
Thomson“touch not Mine anointed ones, and to My prophets do no harm.”
Brentonsaying, Touch not my anointed ones; and do my prophets no harm.
GreekΜὴ ἅψησθε τῶν χριστῶν μου, καὶ ἐν τοῖς προφήταις μου μὴ πονηρεύεσθε.
KJVSaying, Touch not mine anointed, and do my prophets no harm.
JPS'Touch not Mine anointed ones, And do My prophets no harm.'
16
ThomsonWhen He called for a famine on the land—broke all the stay of bread,
BrentonMoreover he called for a famine upon the land; he broke the whole support of bread.
GreekΚαὶ ἐκάλεσε λιμὸν ἐπὶ τὴν γῆν, πᾶν στήριγμα ἄρτου συνέτριψεν.
KJVMoreover he called for a famine upon the land: he brake the whole staff of bread.
JPSAnd He called a famine upon the land; He broke the whole staff of bread.
17
ThomsonHe had sent before them a man, Joseph was sold for a servant.
BrentonHe sent a man before them; Joseph was sold for a slave.
GreekἈπέστειλεν ἔμπροσθεν αὐτῶν ἄνθρωπον, εἰς δοῦλον ἐπράθη Ἰωσήφ.
KJVHe sent a man before them, even Joseph, who was sold for a servant:
JPSHe sent a man before them; Joseph was sold for a servant;
18
Thomson—
BrentonThey hurt his feet with fetters; his soul passed into iron,
GreekἘταπείνωσαν ἐν πέδαις τοὺς πόδας αὐτοῦ, σίδηρον διῆλθεν ἡ ψυχὴ αὐτοῦ·
KJVWhose feet they hurt with fetters: he was laid in iron:
JPSHis feet they hurt with fetters, His person was laid in iron;
19
Thomsonuntil his word came to pass—till the oracle of the Lord tried him.
Brentonuntil the time that his cause came on; the word of the Lord tried him as fire.
GreekΜέχρι τοῦ ἐλθεῖν τὸν λόγον αὐτοῦ· τὸ λόγιον τοῦ Κυρίου ἐπύρωσεν αὐτόν.
KJVUntil the time that his word came: the word of the LORD tried him.
JPSUntil the time that his word came to pass, The word of the LORD tested him.
20
ThomsonThe king had sent and loosed him—the chief of peoples had set him at liberty—
BrentonThe king sent and loosed him; even the prince of the people, and let him go free.
GreekἈπέστειλε βασιλεὺς καὶ ἔλυσεν αὐτὸν, ἄρχων λαῶν καὶ ἀφῆκεν αὐτόν.
KJVThe king sent and loosed him; even the ruler of the people, and let him go free.
JPSThe king sent and loosed him; Even the ruler of the peoples, and set him free.
21
Thomsonhad appointed him lord of his house, and ruler of all his possessions;
BrentonHe made him lord over his house, and ruler of all his substance;
GreekΚατέστησεν αὐτὸν κύριον τοῦ οἴκου αὐτοῦ, καὶ ἄρχοντα πάσης τῆς κτήσεως αὐτοῦ,
KJVHe made him lord of his house, and ruler of all his substance:
JPSHe made him lord of his house, And ruler of all his possessions;
22
Thomsonthat he like himself might instruct princes, and teach his senators wisdom:
Brentonto chastise his rulers at his pleasure, and to teach his elders wisdom.
Greekτοῦ παιδεῦσαι τοὺς ἄρχοντας αὐτοῦ ὡς ἑαυτὸν, καὶ τοὺς πρεσβυτέρους αὐτοῦ σοφίσαι.
KJVTo bind his princes at his pleasure; and teach his senators wisdom.
JPSTo bind his princes at his pleasure, And teach his elders wisdom.
23
Thomsonthen Israel went down to Egypt, and Jacob sojourned in the land of Cham.
BrentonIsrael also came into Egypt, and Jacob sojourned in the land of Cham.
GreekΚαὶ εἰσῆλθεν Ἰσραὴλ εἰς Αἴγυπτον, καὶ Ἰακὼβ παρῴκησεν ἐν γῇ Χάμ.
KJVIsrael also came into Egypt; and Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.
JPSIsrael also came into Egypt; And Jacob sojourned in the land of Ham.
24
ThomsonWhen He had increased His people to a great degree, and made them stronger than their enemies;
BrentonAnd he increased his people greatly, and made them stronger than their enemies.
GreekΚαὶ ηὔξησε τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ σφόδρα, καὶ ἐκραταίωσεν αὐτὸν ὑπὲρ τοὺς ἐχθροὺς αὐτοῦ.
KJVAnd he increased his people greatly; and made them stronger than their enemies.
JPSAnd He increased His people greatly, And made them too mighty for their adversaries.
25
Thomsonand had turned their hearts to hate His people, to deal deceitfully with His servants;
BrentonAnd he turned their heart to hate his people, to deal craftily with his servants.
GreekΚαὶ μετέστρεψε τὴν καρδίαν αὐτῶν τοῦ μισῆσαι τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ, τοῦ δολιοῦσθαι ἐν τοῖς δούλοις αὐτοῦ.
KJVHe turned their heart to hate his people, to deal subtilly with his servants.
JPSHe turned their heart to hate His people, To deal craftily with His servants.
26
ThomsonHe sent forth Moses His servant—Aaron whom he had chosen:
BrentonHe sent forth Moses his servant, and Aaron whom he had chosen.
GreekἘξαπέστειλε Μωυσῆν τὸν δοῦλον αὐτοῦ, Ἀαρὼν ὃν ἐξελέξατο αὐτόν.
KJVHe sent Moses his servant; and Aaron whom he had chosen.
JPSHe sent Moses His servant, And Aaron whom He had chosen.
27
Thomsonto them He committed the words of His signs—of His wonders in the land of Cham.
BrentonHe established among them his signs, and his wonders in the land of Cham.
GreekἜθετο ἐν αὐτοῖς τοὺς λόγους τῶν σημείων αὐτοῦ, καὶ τῶν τεράτων ἐν γῇ Χάμ.
KJVThey shewed his signs among them, and wonders in the land of Ham.
JPSThey wrought among them His manifold signs, And wonders in the land of Ham.
28
ThomsonHe sent forth darkness and it was dark. When they made His words bitter,
BrentonHe sent forth darkness, and made it dark; yet they rebelled against his words.
GreekἘξαπέστειλε σκότος καὶ ἐσκότασε, καὶ παρεπίκραναν τοὺς λόγους αὐτοῦ·
KJVHe sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled not against his word.
JPSHe sent darkness, and it was dark; And they rebelled not against His word.
29
ThomsonHe turned their waters into blood, and made a slaughter of their fishes;
BrentonHe turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish.
GreekΜετέστρεψε τὰ ὕδατα αὐτῶν εἰς αἷμα, καὶ ἀπέκτεινε τοὺς ἰχθύας αὐτῶν.
KJVHe turned their waters into blood, and slew their fish.
JPSHe turned their waters into blood, And slew their fish.
30
Thomsontheir land swarmed with frogs, in the inmost chambers of their kings.
BrentonTheir land produced frogs abundantly, in the chambers of their kings.
GreekἘξῆρψεν ἡ γῆ αὐτῶν βατράχους, ἐν τοῖς ταμείοις τῶν βασιλέων αὐτῶν.
KJVTheir land brought forth frogs in abundance, in the chambers of their kings.
JPSTheir land swarmed with frogs, In the chambers of their kings.
31
Thomson—
BrentonHe spoke, and the dog-fly came, and lice in all their coasts.
GreekΕἶπε καὶ ἦλθε κυνόμυια, καὶ σκνίπες ἐν πᾶσι τοῖς ὁρίοις αὐτῶν.
KJVHe spake, and there came divers sorts of flies, and lice in all their coasts.
JPSHe spoke, and there came swarms of flies, And gnats in all their borders.
32
ThomsonHe made His showers, hail, flaming fire in all their land;
BrentonHe turned their rain into hail, and sent flaming fire in their land.
GreekἜθετο τὰς βροχὰς αὐτῶν χάλαζαν, πῦρ καταφλέγον ἐν τῇ γῇ αὐτῶν.
KJVHe gave them hail for rain, and flaming fire in their land.
JPSHe gave them hail for rain, And flaming fire in their land.
33
ThomsonHe smote their vines and their fig trees, and broke every tree of their border.
BrentonAnd he smote their vines and their fig-trees; and broke every tree of their coast.
GreekΚαὶ ἐπάταξε τὰς ἀμπέλους αὐτῶν καὶ τὰς συκὰς αὐτῶν, καὶ συνέτριψε πᾶν ξύλον ὁρίου αὐτῶν.
KJVHe smote their vines also and their fig trees; and brake the trees of their coasts.
JPSHe smote their vines also and their fig-trees; And broke the trees of their borders.
34
ThomsonHe spake, and the grasshopper came, and the brouchus locust in swarms innumerable,
BrentonHe spoke, and the locust came, and caterpillars innumerable,
GreekΕἶπε καὶ ἦλθεν ἀκρὶς, καὶ βροῦχος οὗ οὐκ ἦν ἀριθμὸς,
KJV—
JPSHe spoke, and the locust came, And the canker-worm without number,
35
Thomsonand devoured every herb in their country, and ate up the fruit of their land.
Brentonand devoured all the grass in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground.
Greekκαὶ κατέφαγε πάντα τὸν χόρτον ἐν τῇ γῇ αὐτῶν, καὶ κατέφαγε τὸν καρπὸν τῆς γῆς αὐτῶν.
KJVAnd did eat up all the herbs in their land, and devoured the fruit of their ground.
JPSAnd did eat up every herb in their land, And did eat up the fruit of their ground.
36
ThomsonThen He smote every first-born of their land—the first fruits of all their labour;
BrentonHe smote also every first-born of their land, the first-fruits of all their labour.
GreekΚαὶ ἐπάταξε πᾶν πρωτότοκον ἐκ τῆς γῆς αὐτῶν, ἀπαρχὴν παντὸς πόνου αὐτῶν.
KJVHe smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.
JPSHe smote also all the first-born in their land, The first-fruits of all their strength.
37
Thomsonand brought out His people with silver and gold, and there was not a feeble person among their tribes.
BrentonAnd he brought them out with silver and gold; and there was not a feeble one among their tribes.
GreekΚαὶ ἐξήγαγεν αὐτοὺς ἐν ἀργυρίῳ καὶ χρυσίῳ, καὶ οὐκ ἦν ἐν ταῖς φυλαῖς αὐτῶν ὁ ἀσθενῶν.
KJVHe brought them forth also with silver and gold: and there was not one feeble person among their tribes.
JPSAnd He brought them forth with silver and gold; And there was none that stumbled among His tribes.
38
ThomsonEgypt rejoiced at their going out, for the dread of these had fallen on them.
BrentonEgypt rejoiced at their departing; for the fear of them fell upon them.
GreekΕὐφράνθη Αἴγυπτος ἐν τῇ ἐξόδῳ αὐτῶν, ὅτι ἐπέπεσεν ὁ φόβος αὐτῶν ἐπʼ αὐτούς.
KJVEgypt was glad when they departed: for the fear of them fell upon them.
JPSEgypt was glad when they departed; For the fear of them had fallen upon them.
39
ThomsonHe spread out a cloud to shelter them, and a fire to illuminate the night for them.
BrentonHe spread out a cloud for a covering to them, and fire to give them light by night.
GreekΔιεπέτασε νεφέλην εἰς σκέπην αὐτοῖς, καὶ πῦρ τοῦ φωτίσαι αὐτοῖς τὴν νύκτα.
KJVHe spread a cloud for a covering; and fire to give light in the night.
JPSHe spread a cloud for a screen; And fire to give light in the night.
40
ThomsonThey asked, and flocks of quails came; and he satisfied them with the bread of heaven.
BrentonThey asked, and the quail came, and he satisfied them with the bread of heaven.
GreekἬτησαν, καὶ ἦλθεν ὀρτυγομήτρα, καὶ ἄρτον οὐρανοῦ ἐνέπλησεν αὐτούς.
KJVThe people asked, and he brought quails, and satisfied them with the bread of heaven.
JPSThey asked, and He brought quails, And gave them in plenty the bread of heaven.
41
ThomsonHe split a rock and waters gushed out, and rivers ran in dry places.
BrentonHe clave the rock, and the waters flowed; rivers ran in dry places.
GreekΔιέῤῥηξε πέτραν, καὶ ἐῤῥύησαν ὕδατα, ἐπορεύθησαν ἐν ἀνύδροις ποταμοί.
KJVHe opened the rock, and the waters gushed out; they ran in the dry places like a river.
JPSHe opened the rock, and waters gushed out; They ran, a river in the dry places.
42
ThomsonBecause he remembered His holy promise—that which he made to Abraham His servant;
BrentonFor he remembered his holy word, which he promised to Abraam his servant.
GreekὍτι ἐμνήσθη τοῦ λόγου τοῦ ἁγίου αὐτοῦ, τοῦ πρὸς Ἀβραὰμ τὸν δοῦλον αὐτοῦ·
KJVFor he remembered his holy promise, and Abraham his servant.
JPSFor He remembered His holy word Unto Abraham His servant;
43
Thomsontherefore he brought out His people with joy—even His chosen ones with gladness;
BrentonAnd he brought out his people with exultation, and his chosen with joy;
GreekΚαὶ ἐξήγαγε τὸν λαὸν αὐτοῦ ἐν ἀγαλλιάσει, καὶ τοὺς ἐκλεκτοὺς αὐτοῦ ἐν εὐφροσύνῃ·
KJVAnd he brought forth his people with joy, and his chosen with gladness:
JPSAnd He brought forth His people with joy, His chosen ones with singing.
44
Thomsonand gave them the countries of nations, and they inherited the labours of peoples;
Brentonand gave them the lands of the heathen; and they inherited the labours of the people;
GreekΚαὶ ἔδωκεν αὐτοῖς χώρας ἐθνῶν, καὶ πόνους λαῶν ἐκληρονόμησαν.
KJVAnd gave them the lands of the heathen: and they inherited the labour of the people;
JPSAnd He gave them the lands of the nations, And they took the labour of the peoples in possession;
45
Thomsonthat they might keep His rules of rectitude, and that they might diligently seek His law.
Brentonthat they might keep his ordinances, and diligently seek his law.
GreekὍπως ἂν φυλάξωσι τὰ δικαιώματα αὐτοῦ, καὶ τὸν νόμον αὐτοῦ ἐκζητήσωσιν.
KJVThat they might observe his statutes, and keep his laws. Praise ye the LORD.
JPSThat they might keep His statutes, And observe His laws. Hallelujah.