Study Desk

For the director of music. According to sheminith.^[b] A psalm of David.

Help, Lord , for no one is faithful anymore;^(a) those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.

Everyone lies^(b) to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts.^(c)

May the Lord silence all flattering lips^(d) and every boastful tongue—^(e)

those who say, "By our tongues we will prevail;^(f) our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?"

"Because the poor are plundered^(g) and the needy groan,^(h) I will now arise,⁽ⁱ⁾" says the Lord . "I will protect them^(j) from those who malign them."

And the words of the Lord are flawless,^(k) like silver purified^(l) in a crucible,^(m) like gold^[c] refined seven times.

You, Lord , will keep the needy safe⁽ⁿ⁾ and will protect us forever from the wicked,^(o)

who freely strut^(p) about when what is vile is honored by the human race.

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

How long,^(a) Lord ? Will you forget me^(b) forever? How long will you hide your face^(c) from me?

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts^(d) and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?^(e)

Look on me^(f) and answer,^(g) Lord my God. Give light to my eyes,^(h) or I will sleep in death,⁽ⁱ⁾

and my enemy will say, "I have overcome him,^(j)" and my foes will rejoice when I fall.^(k)

But I trust in your unfailing love;^(l) my heart rejoices in your salvation.^(m)

I will sing⁽ⁿ⁾ the Lord 's praise, for he has been good to me.