Study Desk

A song of ascents.

I call on the Lord ^(a) in my distress,^(b) and he answers me.

Save me, Lord , from lying lips^(c) and from deceitful tongues.^(d)

What will he do to you, and what more besides, you deceitful tongue?

He will punish you with a warrior's sharp arrows,^(e) with burning coals of the broom bush.

Woe to me that I dwell in Meshek, that I live among the tents of Kedar!^(f)

Too long have I lived among those who hate peace.

I am for peace; but when I speak, they are for war.

A song of ascents.

I lift up my eyes to the mountains— where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord , the Maker of heaven^(a) and earth.^(b)

He will not let your foot slip— he who watches over you will not slumber;

indeed, he who watches^(c) over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord watches over^(d) you— the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

the sun^(e) will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm^(f)— he will watch over your life;

the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.^(g)

A song of ascents. Of David.

I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord ."

Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem.

Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together.

That is where the tribes go up— the tribes of the Lord — to praise the name of the Lord according to the statute given to Israel.

There stand the thrones for judgment, the thrones of the house of David.

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love^(a) you be secure.

May there be peace^(b) within your walls and security within your citadels.^(c)"

For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, "Peace be within you."

For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek your prosperity.^(d)