Study Desk

Of David.

The Lord is my light^(a) and my salvation^(b)— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold^(c) of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?^(d)

When the wicked advance against me to devour^[a] me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.^(e)

Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear;^(f) though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.^(g)

One thing^(h) I ask from the Lord , this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,⁽ⁱ⁾ to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

For in the day of trouble^(j) he will keep me safe^(k) in his dwelling; he will hide me^(l) in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.^(m)

Then my head will be exalted⁽ⁿ⁾ above the enemies who surround me;^(o) at his sacred tent I will sacrifice^(p) with shouts of joy;^(q) I will sing^(r) and make music^(s) to the Lord .

Hear my voice^(t) when I call, Lord ; be merciful to me and answer me.^(u)

My heart says of you, "Seek his face!^(v)" Your face, Lord , I will seek.

Do not hide your face^(w) from me, do not turn your servant away in anger;^(x) you have been my helper.^(y) Do not reject me or forsake^(z) me, God my Savior.^(aa)

Though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.

Teach me your way,^(ab) Lord ; lead me in a straight path^(ac) because of my oppressors.^(ad)

Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses^(ae) rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations.

I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord ^(af) in the land of the living.^(ag)

Wait^(ah) for the Lord ; be strong^(ai) and take heart and wait for the Lord .

Of David.

To you, Lord , I call; you are my Rock, do not turn a deaf ear^(a) to me. For if you remain silent,^(b) I will be like those who go down to the pit.^(c)

Hear my cry for mercy^(d) as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands^(e) toward your Most Holy Place.^(f)

Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts.^(g)

Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done^(h) and bring back on them what they deserve.⁽ⁱ⁾

Because they have no regard for the deeds of the Lord and what his hands have done,^(j) he will tear them down and never build them up again.

Praise be to the Lord ,^(k) for he has heard my cry for mercy.^(l)

The Lord is my strength^(m) and my shield; my heart trusts⁽ⁿ⁾ in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy,^(o) and with my song I praise him.^(p)

The Lord is the strength^(q) of his people, a fortress of salvation^(r) for his anointed one.^(s)

Save your people^(t) and bless your inheritance;^(u) be their shepherd^(v) and carry them^(w) forever.

A psalm of David.

Ascribe to the Lord ,^(a) you heavenly beings,^(b) ascribe to the Lord glory^(c) and strength.

Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his^[a] holiness.^(d)

The voice^(e) of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory^(f) thunders,^(g) the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.^(h)

The voice of the Lord is powerful;⁽ⁱ⁾ the voice of the Lord is majestic.

The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.^(j)

He makes Lebanon leap^(k) like a calf, Sirion^[b](l) like a young wild ox.^(m)

The voice of the Lord strikes with flashes of lightning.⁽ⁿ⁾

The voice of the Lord shakes the desert; the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.^(o)

The voice of the Lord twists the oaks^[c](p) and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, "Glory!"^(q)

The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;^(r) the Lord is enthroned as King forever.^(s)

The Lord gives strength to his people;^(t) the Lord blesses his people with peace.^(u)