Study Desk

For he will rescue the poor who cry outand the afflicted who have no helper.

He will redeem them from oppression and violence,for their lives are precious in his sight.

May he live long!May gold from Sheba be given to him.May prayer be offered for him continually,and may he be blessed all day long.

But as for me, my feet almost slipped;my steps nearly went astray.

For I envied the arrogant;I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

Did I purify my heartand wash my hands in innocence for nothing?

For I am afflicted all day longand punished every morning.

But as for me, God’s presence is my good.I have made the Lord God my refuge,so I can tell about all you do.

Remember your congregation,which you purchased long agoand redeemed as the tribe for your own possession.Remember Mount Zion where you dwell.

There are no signs for us to see.There is no longer a prophet.And none of us knows how long this will last.

Consider the covenant,for the dark places of the land are full of violence.

We give thanks to you, God;we give thanks to you, for your name is near.People tell about your wondrous works.

for God is the Judge:He brings down one and exalts another.

For there is a cup in the Lord’s hand,full of wine blended with spices, and he pours from it.All the wicked of the earth will drink,draining it to the dregs.

As for me, I will tell about him forever;I will sing praise to the God of Jacob.

Has his faithful love ceased forever?Is his promise at an end for all generations?

Look! He struck the rock and water gushed out;torrents overflowed.But can he also provide breador furnish meat for his people?”

He rained manna for them to eat;he gave them grain from heaven.

The people ate and were completely satisfied,for he gave them what they craved.

When he killed some of them,the rest began to seek him;they repented and searched for God.