Nephi's psalm in Second Nephi chapter 4 shares many common elements with the Psalms in the Old Testament.
Here a few of the main themes.
Temples and the Gates of Righteousness
Who shall ascend into the hill of the Lord? or who shall stand in his holy place?
Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. (Psalm 24: 3,9)
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.
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 (2 Nephi 4: 25, 32)
Trusting God
O my God, I trust in thee: let me not be ashamed.
O keep my soul, and deliver me: let me not be ashamed; for I put my trust in thee. (Psalm 25: 2, 20)
Nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted.
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: 19, 34)
Triumph Over Enemies
And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me. (Psalm 27: 6)
My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. (Psalm 31: 15).
Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? (2 Nephi 4: 31)
He hath confounded mine enemies, unto the causing of them to quake before me. (2 Nephi 4: 22).
Plain Path to God
Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. (Psalm 27: 11).
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: 32)
Slackened Strength
I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. (Psalm 27: 13).
My strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed. (Psalm 31: 10)
Do not slacken my strength because of mine afflictions. (2 Nephi 4: 29)
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? (2 Nephi 4: 26)
He hath filled me with his love, even unto the consuming of my flesh. (2 Nephi 4: 21)
Voice of Supplication
Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands (Hallel gesture of approach) toward thy holy oracle. (Psalm 28: 2)
Blessed be the Lord, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications (Psalm 28: 6)
My voice have I sent up on high; and angels came down and ministered unto me. (2 Nephi 4: 24)
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: 35)
Overcoming the Waters of Chaos
The Lord sitteth upon the flood; yea, the Lord sitteth King for ever. (Psalm 29: 10)
He hath preserved me upon the waters of the great deep. (2 Nephi 4: 20)
Singing Praise and Giving Thanks
To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever. (Psalm 30: 12)
Praise the Lord with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. (Psalm 33: 2)
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: 30).
Rock of Salvation
Unto thee will I cry, O Lord my rock. (Psalm 28: 1)
For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me. (Psalm 31: 3)
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: 30)
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: 35)
I add my own humble testimony of the power of the Book of Mormon.
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