Study Desk

For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality failed as with the dry heat of summer. Selah

You are my hiding place; You keep me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will advise you with My eye upon you.

Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre; Sing praises to Him with a harp of ten strings.

Sing to Him a new song; Play skillfully with a shout of joy.

Exalt the LORD with me, And let's exalt His name together.

Contend, LORD, with those who contend with me; Fight against those who fight against me.

Let them be like chaff before the wind, With the angel of the LORD driving them on.

Let their way be dark and slippery, With the angel of the LORD pursuing them.

But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth; I humbled my soul with fasting, But my prayer kept returning to me.

Like godless jesters at a feast, They gnashed at me with their teeth.

May those be ashamed and altogether humiliated who rejoice at my distress; May those who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and dishonor.

For the fountain of life is with You; In Your light we see light.

The wicked plots against the righteous, And gnashes at him with his teeth.

For my sides are filled with burning, And there is no healthy part in my flesh.

I said, "I will keep watch over my ways So that I do not sin with my tongue; I will keep watch over my mouth as with a muzzle While the wicked are in my presence."

My heart was hot within me, While I was musing the fire burned; Then I spoke with my tongue:

"With rebukes You punish a person for wrongdoing; You consume like a moth what is precious to him; Certainly all mankind is mere breath! Selah

"Hear my prayer, LORD, and listen to my cry for help; Do not be silent to my tears; For I am a stranger with You, One who lives abroad, like all my fathers.

Many, LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done, And Your thoughts toward us; There is no one to compare with You. If I would declare and speak of them, They would be too numerous to count.