Psalms in the Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 9-33

Jacob and Nephi both referenced the Psalms in their writings.  Today we'll look at the rest of 2 Nephi.

I find it really interesting that although the language seems to come from the Psalms, the usage varies. Nephi isn't strictly borrowing, he is using creative license to make his point while at the same time clearly making a reference to what I believe were well-known Hebrew hymns.  If we think of the Psalms as serving the same function for the Israelites that the hymns serve for us today, this would be like someone paraphrasing a famous hymn lyric but changing it up. For example, if I said, "I stood all amazed when I noticed my dad left me a card." Or "he put his shoulder to the task and pushed along."

I don't exactly know what to make of this, except that I find it very interesting, and Joseph Smith would have needed to know all of the Psalms by heart to accomplish this without notes.

Give Ear To My Words

1 Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. (Psalm 5)

40 O, my beloved brethren, give ear to my words. Remember the greatness of the Holy One of Israel. Do not say that I have spoken hard things against you; for if ye do, ye will revile against the truth; for I have spoken the words of your Maker. I know that the words of truth are hard against all uncleanness; but the righteous fear them not, for they love the truth and are not shaken. (2 Nephi 9)

In the Psalm, the writer is asking the Lord to "give ear." In 2 Nephi, Jacob asks his brethren to "give ear."

The Rock ... of Salvation

7 In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. (Psalm 62)

26 He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation. (Psalm 89)

1 O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. (Psalm 95)

45 O, my beloved brethren, turn away from your sins; shake off the chains of him that would bind you fast; come unto that God who is the rock of your salvation. (2 Nephi 9)

Clean Hands ... Pure Heart

4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. (Psalm 24)

16 And after they have been scattered, and the Lord God hath scourged them by other nations for the space of many generations, yea, even down from generation to generation until they shall be persuaded to believe in Christ, the Son of God, and the atonement, which is infinite for all mankind—and when that day shall come that they shall believe in Christ, and worship the Father in his name, with pure hearts and clean hands, and look not forward any more for another Messiah, then, at that time, the day will come that it must needs be expedient that they should believe these things. (2 Nephi 25)

Shall Swallow Them Up

9 Thou shalt make them as a fiery oven in the time of thine anger: the Lord shall swallow them up in his wrath, and the fire shall devour them. (Psalm 21)

5 And they that kill the prophets, and the saints, the depths of the earth shall swallow them up, saith the Lord of Hosts; and mountains shall cover them, and whirlwinds shall carry them away, and buildings shall fall upon them and crush them to pieces and grind them to powder. (2 Nephi 26)

Notice that the Lord does the swallowing in the Psalm and the earth does the swallowing in 2 Nephi.

The Depths of the Earth

20 Thou, which hast shewed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth. (Psalm 71)

5 And they that kill the prophets, and the saints, the depths of the earth shall swallow them up, saith the Lord of Hosts; and mountains shall cover them, and whirlwinds shall carry them away, and buildings shall fall upon them and crush them to pieces and grind them to powder. (2 Nephi 26)

The Wicked Will He Destroy

20 The Lord preserveth all them that love him: but all the wicked will he destroy. (Psalm 145)

10 For the time speedily cometh that the Lord God shall cause a great division among the people, and the wicked will he destroy; and he will spare his people, yea, even if it so be that he must destroy the wicked by fire. (2 Nephi 30)

Water ... By Night

6 I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears. (Psalm 6)

3 But I, Nephi, have written what I have written, and I esteem it as of great worth, and especially unto my people. For I pray continually for them by day, and mine eyes water my pillow by night, because of them; and I cry unto my God in faith, and I know that he will hear my cry. (2 Nephi 33)

Old Testament Psalm-language in "Nephi's Psalm"

Today we'll take a closer look at the second half of 2 Nephi 4, which contains Nephi's beautiful and poignant poem. This passage is packed with Old Testament Psalm language, which probably shouldn't came as any surprise to us, given how well-versed Nephi was in Hebrew scripture.

I've leaned heavily on the analysis of others to identify examples of Psalm-language in the Book of Mormon, most notably this paper by John Hilton III and this study by Book of Mormon Central (see the appendix at the bottom). Many of these references can also be found in the "Psalms in the Book of Mormon" series of posts (starting with this one), but this passage deserves special attention and a format that allows easier visualization of the interwoven intertextuality.

I'd like to make a few points here regarding the textual connections between the Psalms and the Book of Mormon:

1. Joseph Smith would have dictated this chapter in one pass, probably in June 1829, at age 23.
2. The context of the specific Psalms quoted here by Nephi center on temple themes. I wonder what Joseph Smith would have been able to tell you about temple and covenants (much less about how ancient Hebrews viewed their temple covenant) at that time. The imagery found in the Psalms is heavily symbolically-related to the temple.  That's remarkable for Joseph Smith to have known that and incorporated it into the text.
3. Several of these poetic themes "resonate" in nearby verses.  For example, "because of mine enemy/enemies" in verses 27 and 29 echoes into adjacent verses 5 times in the form of the word "enemy."  Same with "deliver me," "trust," "heart," and "rock."
4. Notice how after a single reference to Psalms in the first three verses, there is a lull, followed by a crescendo of Psalm-language at the end.  It's really beautiful.

2 Nephi 4	Psalm reference
17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.	19 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! (Psalm 31)
18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.
19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.	19 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! (Psalm 31)
20 My God hath been my support; he hath led me through mine afflictions in the wilderness; and he hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep.
21 He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh.
22 He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me.
23 Behold, he hath heard my cry by day, and he hath given me knowledge by visions in the night-time.
24 And by day have I waxed bold in mighty prayer before him; yea, my voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me.
25 And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for man; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them.
26 O then, if I have seen so great things, if the Lord in his condescension unto the children of men hath visited men in so much mercy, why should my heart weep and my soul linger in the valley of sorrow, and my flesh waste away, and my strength slacken, because of mine afflictions?
27 And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy?	8 Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. (Psalm 5)
28 Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul.	7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. (Psalm 28)
29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions.	8 Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. (Psalm 5)
30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation.	9 I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints. (Psalm 52) 26 He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation. (Psalm 89)
31 O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin?	1 O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: (Psalm 7)
32 May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road!	13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living? (Psalm 56)
33 O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way—but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy.
34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm.	23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee. (Psalm 55) 3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. (Psalm 56) 1 O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: (Psalm 7)
35 Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen.	1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. (Psalm 121) 4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. (Psalm 63) 8 I cried to thee, O Lord; and unto the Lord I made supplication. (Psalm 30)

Psalms in the Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 4, continued

Let's continue looking at Psalms language in the Book of Mormon. 2 Nephi 4, the latter half of which is commonly known as "Nephi's Psalm" draws heavily from Psalm language.

My God and the Rock of My Salvation

26 He shall cry unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation. (Psalm 89)

30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation. (2 Nephi 4)

That I may walk

13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living? (Psalm 56)

32 May the gates of hell be shut continually before me, because that my heart is broken and my spirit is contrite! O Lord, wilt thou not shut the gates of thy righteousness before me, that I may walk in the path of the low valley, that I may be strict in the plain road! (2 Nephi 4)

Make . . . straight before

8 Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. (Psalm 5)

33 O Lord, wilt thou encircle me around in the robe of thy righteousness! O Lord, wilt thou make a way for mine escape before mine enemies! Wilt thou make my path straight before me! Wilt thou not place a stumbling block in my way—but that thou wouldst clear my way before me, and hedge not up my way, but the ways of mine enemy. (2 Nephi 4)

I will trust in thee

23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee. (Psalm 55)

3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. (Psalm 56)

34 O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever. I will not put my trust in the arm of flesh; for I know that cursed is he that putteth his trust in the arm of flesh. Yea, cursed is he that putteth his trust in man or maketh flesh his arm. (2 Nephi 4)

I will lift up my

4 Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. (Psalm 63)

1 I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. (Psalm 121)

35 Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen. (2 Nephi 4)

See also 1 Nephi 21:22/Isaiah 49:22.

I will cry unto

2 I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me. (Psalm 57)

35 Yea, I know that God will give liberally to him that asketh. Yea, my God will give me, if I ask not amiss; therefore I will lift up my voice unto thee; yea, I will cry unto thee, my God, the rock of my righteousness. Behold, my voice shall forever ascend up unto thee, my rock and mine everlasting God. Amen. (2 Nephi 4)

See Also Alma 33:11.

Psalms in the Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 1-4

I'm continuing to look at Psalms in the Book of Mormon. Today we'll look at Psalms-related language in 2 Nephi.  There are so many examples that we'll break 2 Nephi up into a few parts.

Broken Heart and Contrite Spirit

18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. (Psalm 34)


7 Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit; and unto none else can the ends of the law be answered. (2 Nephi 2)

See also 3 Nephi 9:20, 3 Nephi 12:19, Mormon 2:14, Ether 4:15, and Moroni 6:2.

Goodness of the Lord

13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. (Psalm 27)

5 He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord. (Psalm 33)

17 Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities. (2 Nephi 4)

See also Jeremiah 31:14.

Upon the Wings of...

10 And he rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, he did fly upon the wings of the wind. (Psalm 18)


3 Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind: (Psalm 104)

25 And upon the wings of his Spirit hath my body been carried away upon exceedingly high mountains. And mine eyes have beheld great things, yea, even too great for man; therefore I was bidden that I should not write them. (2 Nephi 4)

It is worth noting that the two most common English translations of the Hebrew root "ruach" (רוּחַ) are "wind" (about 100 times) and "Spirit/spirit" (about 200 times) in the Hebrew Bible.

See also 2 Samuel 22:11.

Because of Mine Enemies

8 Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. (Psalm 5)


11 Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. (Psalm 27)


18 Draw nigh unto my soul, and redeem it: deliver me because of mine enemies. (Psalm 69)

27 And why should I yield to sin, because of my flesh? Yea, why should I give way to temptations, that the evil one have place in my heart to destroy my peace and afflict my soul? Why am I angry because of mine enemy? ...
29 Do not anger again because of mine enemies. Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions. (2 Nephi 4)

I Will Praise Thee Forever

9 I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints. (Psalm 52)

30 Rejoice, O my heart, and cry unto the Lord, and say: O Lord, I will praise thee forever; yea, my soul will rejoice in thee, my God, and the rock of my salvation. (2 Nephi 4)

Many more examples of Psalms language in 2 Nephi 4 to come in the next part.