Study Desk

God comes to judge his people. He shouts to the heavens and to the earth,

The heavens announce, "God is the judge, and he is always honest."

My people, I am God! Israel, I am your God. Listen to my charges against you.

I am God Most High! The only sacrifice I want is for you to be thankful and to keep your word.

When you did all of this, I didn't say a word, and you thought, "God is just like us!" But now I will accuse you.

The sacrifice that honors me is a thankful heart. Obey me, and I, your God, will show my power to save.

(For the music leader. A psalm by David when the prophet Nathan came to him after David had been with Bathsheba.) You are kind, God! Please have pity on me. You are always merciful! Please wipe away my sins.

(A special psalm by David for the music leader. He wrote this when Doeg from Edom went to Saul and said, "David has gone to Ahimelech's house.") You people may be strong and brag about your sins, but God can be trusted day after day.

God will destroy you forever! He will grab you and drag you from your homes. You will be uprooted and left to die.

"Just look at them now! Instead of trusting God, they trusted their wealth and their cruelty."

I will always thank God for what he has done; I will praise his good name when his people meet.

(A special psalm by David for the music leader. To the tune "Mahalath.") Only a fool would say, "There is no God!" People like that are worthless! They are heartless and cruel and never do right.

From heaven God looks down to see if anyone is wise enough to search for him.

Won't you lawbreakers learn? You refuse to pray, and you gobble down the people of God.

But you will be terrified worse than ever before. God will scatter the bones of his enemies, and you will be ashamed when God rejects you.

I long for someone from Zion to come and save Israel! Our God, when you bless your people again, Jacob's family will be glad, and Israel will celebrate.

(For the music leader. Use with stringed instruments. A special psalm that David wrote when the people of Ziph went to Saul and said, "David is hiding here with us.") Save me, God, by your power and prove that I am right.

You will help me, Lord God, and keep me from falling;

(A special psalm by David for the music leader. Use with stringed instruments.) Listen, God, to my prayer! Don't reject my request.

We enjoyed being together, and we went with others to your house, our God.