This psalm is ascribed to David as his own composition (though it is outside the number[a]), after he had fought in single combat with Goliath.
151 I was small among my brothers
and the youngest in my father’s house;
I tended my father’s sheep.(A)
2 My hands made a harp;
my fingers fashioned a lyre.(B)
3 And who will tell my Lord?
The Lord himself; it is he who hears.[b](C)
4 It was he who sent his messenger[c]
and took me from my father’s sheep
and anointed me with his anointing oil.(D)
5 My brothers were handsome and tall,
but the Lord was not pleased with them.(E)
6 I went out to meet the foreigner,[d]
and he cursed me by his idols.(F)
7 But I drew his own sword;
I beheaded him and removed disgrace from the people of Israel.(G)
Footnotes
- 151.1Other ancient authorities add of the one hundred fifty (psalms)
- 151.3Other ancient authorities add everything; others add me; others read who will hear me
- 151.4Gk: Q ms prophet
- 151.6Gk: Q ms Philistine