Study Desk

A David Psalm God, God, save me! I'm in over my head,

I'm hoarse from calling for help, Bleary-eyed from searching the sky for God.

God, you know every sin I've committed; My life's a wide-open book before you.

Don't let those who look to you in hope Be discouraged by what happens to me, Dear Lord! God of the armies! Don't let those out looking for you Come to a dead end by following me— Please, dear God of Israel!

And me? I pray. God , it's time for a break! God, answer in love! Answer with your sure salvation!

Now answer me, God , because you love me; Let me see your great mercy full-face.

Come close, God; get me out of here. Rescue me from this deathtrap.

They gossiped about the one you disciplined, Made up stories about anyone wounded by God.

For God , this is better than oxen on the altar, Far better than blue-ribbon bulls.

The poor in spirit see and are glad— Oh, you God-seekers, take heart!

For God listens to the poor, He doesn't walk out on the wretched.

For God is out to help Zion, Rebuilding the wrecked towns of Judah. Guess who will live there— The proud owners of the land?

A David Prayer God! Please hurry to my rescue! God , come quickly to my side! Those who are out to get me— let them fall all over themselves. Those who relish my downfall— send them down a blind alley. Give them a taste of their own medicine, those gossips off clucking their tongues.

Let those on the hunt for you sing and celebrate. Let all who love your saving way say over and over, "God is mighty!"

But I've lost it. I'm wasted. God—quickly, quickly! Quick to my side, quick to my rescue! God , don't lose a minute.

I run for dear life to God , I'll never live to regret it. Do what you do so well: get me out of this mess and up on my feet. Put your ear to the ground and listen, give me space for salvation. Be a guest room where I can retreat; you said your door was always open! You're my salvation—my vast, granite fortress.

My God, free me from the grip of Wicked, from the clutch of Bad and Bully. You keep me going when times are tough— my bedrock, God , since my childhood. I've hung on you from the day of my birth, the day you took me from the cradle; I'll never run out of praise. Many gasp in alarm when they see me, but you take me in stride.

Just as each day brims with your beauty, my mouth brims with praise. But don't turn me out to pasture when I'm old or put me on the shelf when I can't pull my weight. My enemies are talking behind my back, watching for their chance to knife me. The gossip is: "God has abandoned him. Pounce on him now; no one will help him."

God, don't just watch from the sidelines. Come on! Run to my side! My accusers—make them lose face. Those out to get me—make them look Like idiots, while I stretch out, reaching for you, and daily add praise to praise. I'll write the book on your righteousness, talk up your salvation the livelong day, never run out of good things to write or say. I come in the power of the Lord God , I post signs marking his right-of-way.

You got me when I was an unformed youth, God, and taught me everything I know. Now I'm telling the world your wonders; I'll keep at it until I'm old and gray. God, don't walk off and leave me until I get out the news Of your strong right arm to this world, news of your power to the world yet to come, Your famous and righteous ways, O God. God, you've done it all! Who is quite like you? You, who made me stare trouble in the face, Turn me around; Now let me look life in the face. I've been to the bottom; Bring me up, streaming with honors; turn to me, be tender to me, And I'll take up the lute and thank you to the tune of your faithfulness, God. I'll make music for you on a harp, Holy One of Israel. When I open up in song to you, I let out lungsful of praise, my rescued life a song. All day long I'm chanting about you and your righteous ways, While those who tried to do me in slink off looking ashamed.