Study Desk

He brought them to his holy land, to the hill-country won by his right hand.

Yet they tested El ‘Elyon and rebelled against him, refusing to obey his instructions.

He gave his strength into exile, his pride to the power of the foe.

He gave his people over to the sword and grew angry with his own heritage.

He struck his foes, driving them back and putting them to perpetual shame.

He built his sanctuary like the heights; like the earth, he made it to last forever.

He chose David to be his servant, taking him from the sheep-yards;

from tending nursing ewes he brought him to shepherd Ya‘akov his people, Isra'el his heritage.

for they have devoured Ya‘akov and left his home a waste.

"I lifted the load from his shoulder; his hands were freed from the [laborer's] basket.

I am listening. What will God, Adonai , say? For he will speak peace to his people, to his holy ones — but only if they don't relapse into folly.

His salvation is near for those who fear him, so that glory will be in our land.

Adonai will also grant prosperity; our land will yield its harvest. Justice will walk before him and make his footsteps a path.

Preserve my life, for I am faithful; save your servant, who puts his trust in you because you are my God.

I will crush his foes before him and strike down those who hate him.

My faithfulness and grace will be with him; through my name his power will grow.

I will put his hand on the sea and his right hand on the rivers.

I will establish his dynasty forever, and his throne as long as the heavens last.

"If his descendants abandon my Torah and fail to live by my rulings,

his dynasty will last forever, his throne like the sun before me.