Study Desk

To the Chief Musician. Set to 'Do Not Destroy.' [fn] A Psalm of Asaph. A song. We give thanks to You, O God, we give thanks!For Your wondrous works declare that Your name is near.

For exaltation comes neither from the east Nor from the west nor from the south.

For in the hand of the LORD there is a cup, And the wine is red; It is fully mixed, and He pours it out; Surely its dregs shall all the wicked of the earth Drain and drink down.

For He established a testimony in Jacob, And appointed a law in Israel, Which He commanded our fathers, That they should make them known to their children;

And they tested God in their heart By asking for the food of their fancy.

Behold, He struck the rock, So that the waters gushed out, And the streams overflowed. Can He give bread also? Can He provide meat for His people?

So they ate and were well filled, For He gave them their own desire.

When He slew them, then they sought Him; And they returned and sought earnestly for God.

For their heart was not steadfast with Him, Nor were they faithful in His covenant.

For He remembered that they were but flesh, A breath that passes away and does not come again.

He made a path for His anger; He did not spare their soul from death, But gave their life over to the plague,

For they provoked Him to anger with their high places, And moved Him to jealousy with their carved images.

The dead bodies of Your servants They have given as food for the birds of the heavens, The flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth.

For they have devoured Jacob, And laid waste his dwelling place.

Oh, do not remember former iniquities against us! Let Your tender mercies come speedily to meet us, For we have been brought very low.

Help us, O God of our salvation, For the glory of Your name; And deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins, For Your name's sake!

You prepared room for it, And caused it to take deep root, And it filled the land.

And the vineyard which Your right hand has planted, And the branch that You made strong for Yourself.

Let Your hand be upon the man of Your right hand, Upon the son of man whom You made strong for Yourself.

For this is a statute for Israel, A law of the God of Jacob.