Study Desk

A psalm of David.

I call to you, Lord , come quickly^(a) to me; hear me^(b) when I call to you.

May my prayer be set before you like incense;^(c) may the lifting up of my hands^(d) be like the evening sacrifice.^(e)

Set a guard over my mouth,^(f) Lord ; keep watch over the door of my lips.^(g)

Do not let my heart^(h) be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds⁽ⁱ⁾ along with those who are evildoers; do not let me eat their delicacies.^(j)

Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me^(k)—that is oil on my head.^(l) My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.

Their rulers will be thrown down from the cliffs,^(m) and the wicked will learn that my words were well spoken.

They will say, "As one plows⁽ⁿ⁾ and breaks up the earth,^(o) so our bones have been scattered at the mouth^(p) of the grave."

But my eyes are fixed^(q) on you, Sovereign Lord ; in you I take refuge^(r)—do not give me over to death.

Keep me safe^(s) from the traps set by evildoers,^(t) from the snares^(u) they have laid for me.

Let the wicked fall^(v) into their own nets, while I pass by in safety.^(w)

A maskil^[b] of David. When he was in the cave.^(a) A prayer.

I cry aloud^(b) to the Lord ; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.^(c)

I pour out before him my complaint;^(d) before him I tell my trouble.^(e)

When my spirit grows faint^(f) within me, it is you who watch over my way. In the path where I walk people have hidden a snare for me.

Look and see, there is no one at my right hand; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge;^(g) no one cares^(h) for my life.

I cry to you, Lord ; I say, "You are my refuge,⁽ⁱ⁾ my portion^(j) in the land of the living."^(k)

Listen to my cry,^(l) for I am in desperate need;^(m) rescue me⁽ⁿ⁾ from those who pursue me, for they are too strong^(o) for me.

Set me free from my prison,^(p) that I may praise your name.^(q) Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.^(r)

A psalm of David.

Lord , hear my prayer,^(a) listen to my cry for mercy;^(b) in your faithfulness^(c) and righteousness^(d) come to my relief.

Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous^(e) before you.

The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in the darkness^(f) like those long dead.^(g)

So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed.^(h)

I remember⁽ⁱ⁾ the days of long ago; I meditate^(j) on all your works and consider what your hands have done.

I spread out my hands^(k) to you; I thirst for you like a parched land.^[a]

Answer me quickly,^(l) Lord ; my spirit fails.^(m) Do not hide your face⁽ⁿ⁾ from me or I will be like those who go down to the pit.

Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love,^(o) for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way^(p) I should go, for to you I entrust my life.^(q)

Rescue me^(r) from my enemies,^(s) Lord , for I hide myself in you.

Teach me^(t) to do your will, for you are my God;^(u) may your good Spirit lead^(v) me on level ground.^(w)

For your name's sake,^(x) Lord , preserve my life;^(y) in your righteousness,^(z) bring me out of trouble.

In your unfailing love, silence my enemies;^(aa) destroy all my foes,^(ab) for I am your servant.^(ac)

Of David.

Praise be to the Lord my Rock,^(a) who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.

He is my loving God and my fortress,^(b) my stronghold^(c) and my deliverer, my shield,^(d) in whom I take refuge, who subdues peoples^[a](e) under me.

Lord , what are human beings^(f) that you care for them, mere mortals that you think of them?

They are like a breath;^(g) their days are like a fleeting shadow.^(h)

Part your heavens,⁽ⁱ⁾ Lord , and come down;^(j) touch the mountains, so that they smoke.^(k)

Send forth lightning^(l) and scatter^(m) the enemy; shoot your arrows⁽ⁿ⁾ and rout them.

Reach down your hand from on high;^(o) deliver me and rescue me^(p) from the mighty waters,^(q) from the hands of foreigners^(r)

whose mouths are full of lies,^(s) whose right hands^(t) are deceitful.^(u)

I will sing a new song^(v) to you, my God; on the ten-stringed lyre^(w) I will make music to you,

to the One who gives victory to kings,^(x) who delivers his servant David.^(y) From the deadly sword^(z)

¹¹deliver me; rescue me^(aa) from the hands of foreigners^(ab) whose mouths are full of lies,^(ac) whose right hands are deceitful.^(ad)

Then our sons in their youth will be like well-nurtured plants,^(ae) and our daughters will be like pillars^(af) carved to adorn a palace.

Our barns will be filled^(ag) with every kind of provision. Our sheep will increase by thousands, by tens of thousands in our fields;

our oxen^(ah) will draw heavy loads.^[b] There will be no breaching of walls,^(ai) no going into captivity, no cry of distress in our streets.^(aj)

Blessed is the people^(ak) of whom this is true; blessed is the people whose God is the Lord .

A psalm of praise. Of David.

I will exalt you,^(a) my God the King;^(b) I will praise your name^(c) for ever and ever.

Every day I will praise^(d) you and extol your name^(e) for ever and ever.

Great^(f) is the Lord and most worthy of praise;^(g) his greatness no one can fathom.^(h)

One generation⁽ⁱ⁾ commends your works to another; they tell^(j) of your mighty acts.^(k)

They speak of the glorious splendor^(l) of your majesty— and I will meditate on your wonderful works.^[b](m)

They tell⁽ⁿ⁾ of the power of your awesome works—^(o) and I will proclaim^(p) your great deeds.^(q)

They celebrate your abundant goodness^(r) and joyfully sing^(s) of your righteousness.^(t)