Fifteen verses on generosity, from giving to the poor to the question of what anyone could give back to God.
The psalms describe giving as part of what a good person is. Psalm 112 praises someone who deals graciously, lends and gives to the poor, and Psalm 37 says the righteous give generously. The psalms also ask what anyone could give back to God, and answer with thanks and kept vows. Behind both sits the picture of God as the one who opens his hand and satisfies every living thing.
The page is grouped in four parts: giving to people in need, serving and helping others, giving to God, and God the giver. Tick the verses you want and print them as one sheet.
Verses about generosity toward people who need help.
He has dispersed, he has given to the poor.His righteousness endures forever.His horn will be exalted with honor.
He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.
He has dispersed, he has given to the poor, and his righteousness endures forever. Paul quotes this verse in 2 Corinthians 9:9, writing to the church in Corinth about a generous gift.
The wicked borrow, and don’t pay back,but the righteous give generously.
The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth.
The wicked borrow and do not pay back, but the righteous give generously. The psalm sets taking against giving.
Blessed is he who considers the poor.The LORD will deliver him in the day of evil.
Blessed is he that considereth the poor: the LORD will deliver him in time of trouble.
Blessed is he who considers the poor. The verse begins with paying attention to the poor, before any gift is mentioned.
he who doesn’t lend out his money for usury,nor take a bribe against the innocent.He who does these things shall never be shaken.
He that putteth not out his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent. He that doeth these things shall never be moved.
The psalm describes someone who does not lend money for usury or take a bribe against the innocent. Fair dealing with money is part of its answer to who may dwell with God.
Verses about acting for other people, especially the weak and the poor.
“Defend the weak, the poor, and the fatherless.Maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.
Defend the poor and fatherless: do justice to the afflicted and needy.
Defend the weak, the poor and the fatherless, and maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed. In the psalm these words are a charge to those who judge.
For he will deliver the needy when he cries;the poor, who has no helper.
For he shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper.
He will deliver the needy when he cries, the poor who has no helper. The psalm prays for a king who helps people nobody else will help.
It is well with the man who deals graciously and lends.He will maintain his cause in judgment.
A good man sheweth favour, and lendeth: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
It is well with the man who deals graciously and lends. The verse links gracious dealing and lending with a life that goes well.
Rescue the weak and needy.Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked.”
Deliver the poor and needy: rid them out of the hand of the wicked.
Rescue the weak and needy. Deliver them out of the hand of the wicked. The charge that begins in verse 3 ends with rescue.
Verses about offerings, vows and thanks.
What will I give to the LORD for all his benefits toward me?
What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me?
What will I give to the LORD for all his benefits toward me? The next verses answer with calling on his name and paying vows in front of his people.
Ascribe to the LORD the glory due to his name.Bring an offering, and come into his courts.
Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name: bring an offering, and come into his courts.
Bring an offering, and come into his courts. The gift goes together with coming to worship.
With a free will offering, I will sacrifice to you.I will give thanks to your name, LORD, for it is good.
I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O LORD; for it is good.
With a free will offering, I will sacrifice to you. The gift is given freely and is paired with giving thanks.
Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving.Pay your vows to the Most High.
Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High:
Offer to God the sacrifice of thanksgiving. Earlier in this psalm God says he has no need of bulls or goats, because the world is his.
Verses that describe God as the one who gives first.
You open your hand,and satisfy the desire of every living thing.
Thou openest thine hand, and satisfiest the desire of every living thing.
You open your hand, and satisfy the desire of every living thing. The picture is of an open hand feeding all creatures.
who executes justice for the oppressed;who gives food to the hungry.The LORD frees the prisoners.
Which executeth judgment for the oppressed: which giveth food to the hungry. The LORD looseth the prisoners:
The LORD executes justice for the oppressed and gives food to the hungry. Giving and justice sit in the same line.
Your congregation lived therein.You, God, prepared your goodness for the poor.
Thy congregation hath dwelt therein: thou, O God, hast prepared of thy goodness for the poor.
You, God, prepared your goodness for the poor. The psalm describes God providing for the poor.
Partly. Psalm 112 and Psalm 37 speak of lending and giving to the poor, and Psalm 15 refuses lending for usury. Other psalms move the gift from money to the giver. Psalm 51:16 to 17 says God does not delight in sacrifice, and that the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. Psalm 40:6 says the same about offerings, and verse 8 answers: I delight to do your will.
Psalm 112 is the fullest. Verse 5 speaks of dealing graciously and lending, and verse 9 says he has given to the poor.
Psalm 82:3 to 4 asks for the weak and needy to be defended and rescued, and Psalm 41:1 calls the one who considers the poor blessed.
Psalm 82:3 to 4 charges those who judge to defend the weak and rescue the needy, and Psalm 72:12 prays for a king who delivers the poor who has no helper. Psalm 100:2, serve the LORD with gladness, is about serving God.
That is Psalm 116:12 in the King James Version. The psalm answers in the next verses: take the cup of salvation, call on the LORD's name and pay vows before his people.
Yes. 2 Corinthians 9:9 quotes Psalm 112:9: he has given to the poor, his righteousness endures forever.
Psalms for Blessing and FavorPsalms of Thanksgiving and ThankfulnessPsalms for JusticePsalms for Money, Prosperity and Financial NeedPsalms for Work and SuccessPsalms about Mercy and Grace