Study Desk

For the director of music. Of David.

In the Lord I take refuge.^(a) How then can you say to me: "Flee^(b) like a bird to your mountain.^(c)

For look, the wicked bend their bows;^(d) they set their arrows^(e) against the strings to shoot from the shadows^(f) at the upright in heart.^(g)

When the foundations^(h) are being destroyed, what can the righteous do?"

The Lord is in his holy temple;⁽ⁱ⁾ the Lord is on his heavenly throne.^(j) He observes everyone on earth;^(k) his eyes examine^(l) them.

The Lord examines the righteous,^(m) but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion.⁽ⁿ⁾

On the wicked he will rain fiery coals and burning sulfur;^(o) a scorching wind^(p) will be their lot.

For the Lord is righteous,^(q) he loves justice;^(r) the upright^(s) will see his face.^(t)

For the director of music. According to sheminith.^[b] A psalm of David.

Help, Lord , for no one is faithful anymore;^(a) those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.

Everyone lies^(b) to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts.^(c)

May the Lord silence all flattering lips^(d) and every boastful tongue—^(e)

those who say, "By our tongues we will prevail;^(f) our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?"

"Because the poor are plundered^(g) and the needy groan,^(h) I will now arise,⁽ⁱ⁾" says the Lord . "I will protect them^(j) from those who malign them."

And the words of the Lord are flawless,^(k) like silver purified^(l) in a crucible,^(m) like gold^[c] refined seven times.

You, Lord , will keep the needy safe⁽ⁿ⁾ and will protect us forever from the wicked,^(o)

who freely strut^(p) about when what is vile is honored by the human race.

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

How long,^(a) Lord ? Will you forget me^(b) forever? How long will you hide your face^(c) from me?

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts^(d) and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?^(e)

Look on me^(f) and answer,^(g) Lord my God. Give light to my eyes,^(h) or I will sleep in death,⁽ⁱ⁾

and my enemy will say, "I have overcome him,^(j)" and my foes will rejoice when I fall.^(k)

But I trust in your unfailing love;^(l) my heart rejoices in your salvation.^(m)

I will sing⁽ⁿ⁾ the Lord 's praise, for he has been good to me.

For the director of music. Of David.

The fool^[a] says in his heart, "There is no God."^(b) They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.

The Lord looks down from heaven^(c) on all mankind to see if there are any who understand,^(d) any who seek God.^(e)

All have turned away,^(f) all have become corrupt;^(g) there is no one who does good,^(h) not even one.⁽ⁱ⁾

Do all these evildoers know nothing?^(j) They devour my people^(k) as though eating bread; they never call on the Lord .^(l)

But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous.

You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge.^(m)

Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!⁽ⁿ⁾ When the Lord restores^(o) his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

A psalm of David.

Lord , who may dwell^(a) in your sacred tent?^(b) Who may live on your holy mountain?^(c)

The one whose walk is blameless,^(d) who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth^(e) from their heart;

whose tongue utters no slander,^(f) who does no wrong to a neighbor, and casts no slur on others;

who despises a vile person but honors^(g) those who fear the Lord ; who keeps an oath^(h) even when it hurts, and does not change their mind;

who lends money to the poor without interest;⁽ⁱ⁾ who does not accept a bribe^(j) against the innocent. Whoever does these things will never be shaken.^(k)

A miktam^[a] of David.

Keep me safe,^(a) my God, for in you I take refuge.^(b)

I say to the Lord , "You are my Lord;^(c) apart from you I have no good thing."^(d)

I say of the holy people^(e) who are in the land,^(f) "They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight."

Those who run after other gods^(g) will suffer^(h) more and more. I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods or take up their names⁽ⁱ⁾ on my lips.

Lord , you alone are my portion^(j) and my cup;^(k) you make my lot^(l) secure.

The boundary lines^(m) have fallen for me in pleasant places; surely I have a delightful inheritance.⁽ⁿ⁾

I will praise the Lord , who counsels me;^(o) even at night^(p) my heart instructs me.

I keep my eyes always on the Lord . With him at my right hand,^(q) I will not be shaken.^(r)

Therefore my heart is glad^(s) and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure,^(t)

because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,^(u) nor will you let your faithful^[b] one^(v) see decay.^(w)

You make known to me the path of life;^(x) you will fill me with joy in your presence,^(y) with eternal pleasures^(z) at your right hand.^(aa)

A prayer of David.

Hear me,^(a) Lord , my plea is just; listen to my cry.^(b) Hear^(c) my prayer— it does not rise from deceitful lips.^(d)

Let my vindication^(e) come from you; may your eyes see what is right.^(f)

Though you probe my heart,^(g) though you examine me at night and test me,^(h) you will find that I have planned no evil;⁽ⁱ⁾ my mouth has not transgressed.^(j)

Though people tried to bribe me, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent through what your lips have commanded.

My steps have held to your paths;^(k) my feet have not stumbled.^(l)