Study Desk

I have more enemies than the hairs on my head. They hate me for no reason. They try hard to destroy me. My enemies tell lies about me. They say I stole from them and they demand that I pay for things I did not steal.

My face is covered with shame. I carry this shame for you.

As for me, Lord , this is my prayer to you: Please accept me! God, I want you to answer me with love. I know I can trust you to save me.

I feel the pain of their insults. The shame makes me feel like dying! I wanted some sympathy, but there was none. I waited for someone to comfort me, but no one came.

Punish them for the bad things they have done. Don't show them how good you can be.

Lord , I depend on you for protection. Don't let me be disappointed.

I will play the harp and praise you. My God, I will sing about your faithfulness. I will play songs on my lyre for the Holy One of Israel.

I will shout for joy, singing songs of praise to you for saving me.

Help the king judge your people fairly. Help him make wise decisions for your poor people.

He feels sorry for all who are weak and poor. He protects their lives.

Long live the king! Let him receive gold from Sheba. Always pray for the king. Ask God to bless him every day.

I tried hard to understand all this, but it was too hard for me.

Clearly, you have put them in danger. You make it easy for them to fall and be destroyed.

As for me, all I need is to be close to God. I have made the Lord God my place of safety. And, God, I will tell about all that you have done.

A maskil of Asaph. God, why have you turned away from us for so long? Why are you still angry with us, your own flock?

God, you have been our King for a long time. You have saved us many times on this earth.

Yes, you smashed the heads of Leviathan and left his body for animals to eat.

You set the limits for everything on earth. And you created summer and winter.

God says, "I have chosen a time for judgment, and I will judge fairly.

To the director, Jeduthun. One of Asaph's songs. I cry out to God for help. I cry out to you, God; listen to me!