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)

A song of ascents.

I lift up my eyes to you, to you who sit enthroned^(a) in heaven.

As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a female slave look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the Lord ^(b) our God, till he shows us his mercy.

Have mercy on us, Lord , have mercy on us, for we have endured no end of contempt.

We have endured no end of ridicule from the arrogant, of contempt from the proud.

A song of ascents. Of David.

If the Lord had not been on our side— let Israel say^(a)—

if the Lord had not been on our side when people attacked us,

they would have swallowed us alive when their anger flared against us;

the flood^(b) would have engulfed us, the torrent^(c) would have swept over us,

the raging waters would have swept us away.

Praise be to the Lord , who has not let us be torn by their teeth.

We have escaped like a bird from the fowler's snare;^(d) the snare has been broken,^(e) and we have escaped.

Our help is in the name^(f) of the Lord , the Maker of heaven^(g) and earth.

A song of ascents.

Those who trust in the Lord are like Mount Zion,^(a) which cannot be shaken^(b) but endures forever.

As the mountains surround Jerusalem,^(c) so the Lord surrounds^(d) his people both now and forevermore.

The scepter^(e) of the wicked will not remain^(f) over the land allotted to the righteous, for then the righteous might use their hands to do evil.^(g)

Lord , do good^(h) to those who are good, to those who are upright in heart.⁽ⁱ⁾

But those who turn^(j) to crooked ways^(k) the Lord will banish^(l) with the evildoers. Peace be on Israel.^(m)

A song of ascents.

When the Lord restored^(a) the fortunes of^[a] Zion, we were like those who dreamed.^[b]

Our mouths were filled with laughter,^(b) our tongues with songs of joy.^(c) Then it was said among the nations, "The Lord has done great things^(d) for them."

The Lord has done great things^(e) for us, and we are filled with joy.^(f)

Restore our fortunes,^[c](g) Lord , like streams in the Negev.^(h)

Those who sow with tears⁽ⁱ⁾ will reap^(j) with songs of joy.^(k)

Those who go out weeping,^(l) carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.

A song of ascents. Of Solomon.

Unless the Lord builds^(a) the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches^(b) over the city, the guards stand watch in vain.

In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food^(c) to eat— for he grants sleep^(d) to^[a] those he loves.^(e)

Children are a heritage from the Lord , offspring a reward^(f) from him.

Like arrows^(g) in the hands of a warrior are children born in one's youth.

Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them.^(h) They will not be put to shame when they contend with their opponents⁽ⁱ⁾ in court.^(j)

A song of ascents.

Blessed are all who fear the Lord ,^(a) who walk in obedience to him.^(b)

You will eat the fruit of your labor;^(c) blessings and prosperity^(d) will be yours.

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine^(e) within your house; your children^(f) will be like olive shoots^(g) around your table.

Yes, this will be the blessing^(h) for the man who fears the Lord .⁽ⁱ⁾

May the Lord bless you from Zion;^(j) may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem^(k) all the days of your life.

May you live to see your children's children—^(l) peace be on Israel.^(m)

A song of ascents.

"They have greatly oppressed^(a) me from my youth,"^(b) let Israel say;^(c)

"they have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory^(d) over me.

Plowmen have plowed my back and made their furrows long.

But the Lord is righteous;^(e) he has cut me free^(f) from the cords of the wicked."^(g)

May all who hate Zion^(h) be turned back in shame.⁽ⁱ⁾

May they be like grass on the roof,^(j) which withers^(k) before it can grow;

a reaper cannot fill his hands with it,^(l) nor one who gathers fill his arms.

May those who pass by not say to them, "The blessing of the Lord be on you; we bless you^(m) in the name of the Lord ."

A song of ascents.

Out of the depths^(a) I cry to you,^(b) Lord ;

Lord, hear my voice.^(c) Let your ears be attentive^(d) to my cry for mercy.^(e)

If you, Lord , kept a record of sins, Lord, who could stand?^(f)

But with you there is forgiveness,^(g) so that we can, with reverence, serve you.^(h)

I wait for the Lord ,⁽ⁱ⁾ my whole being waits,^(j) and in his word^(k) I put my hope.

I wait for the Lord more than watchmen^(l) wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.^(m)

Israel, put your hope⁽ⁿ⁾ in the Lord , for with the Lord is unfailing love^(o) and with him is full redemption.^(p)

He himself will redeem^(q) Israel from all their sins.^(r)

A song of ascents. Of David.

My heart is not proud,^(a) Lord , my eyes are not haughty;^(b) I do not concern myself with great matters^(c) or things too wonderful for me.^(d)

But I have calmed and quieted myself,^(e) I am like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child I am content.^(f)

Israel, put your hope^(g) in the Lord both now and forevermore.^(h)

A song of ascents.

Lord , remember David and all his self-denial.^(b)

He swore an oath to the Lord , he made a vow to the Mighty One of Jacob:^(c)

"I will not enter my house^(d) or go to my bed,

I will allow no sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids,

till I find a place^(e) for the Lord , a dwelling for the Mighty One of Jacob."

We heard it in Ephrathah,^(f) we came upon it in the fields of Jaar:^[a](g)

"Let us go to his dwelling place,^(h) let us worship at his footstool,⁽ⁱ⁾ saying,

‘Arise, Lord ,^(j) and come to your resting place, you and the ark of your might.

May your priests be clothed with your righteousness;^(k) may your faithful people^(l) sing for joy.'"

For the sake of your servant David, do not reject your anointed one.

The Lord swore an oath to David,^(m) a sure oath he will not revoke: "One of your own descendants⁽ⁿ⁾ I will place on your throne.

If your sons keep my covenant^(o) and the statutes I teach them, then their sons will sit on your throne^(p) for ever and ever."

For the Lord has chosen Zion,^(q) he has desired it for his dwelling,^(r) saying,

"This is my resting place for ever and ever;^(s) here I will sit enthroned,^(t) for I have desired it.

I will bless her with abundant provisions; her poor I will satisfy with food.^(u)

I will clothe her priests^(v) with salvation, and her faithful people will ever sing for joy.^(w)

"Here I will make a horn^[b] grow^(x) for David and set up a lamp^(y) for my anointed one.^(z)

I will clothe his enemies with shame,^(aa) but his head will be adorned with a radiant crown."^(ab)