Study Desk

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

In you, Lord , I have taken refuge;^(b) let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.^(c)

Turn your ear to me,^(d) come quickly to my rescue;^(e) be my rock of refuge,^(f) a strong fortress to save me.

Since you are my rock and my fortress,^(g) for the sake of your name^(h) lead and guide me.

Keep me free from the trap⁽ⁱ⁾ that is set for me, for you are my refuge.^(j)

Into your hands I commit my spirit;^(k) deliver me, Lord , my faithful God.^(l)

I hate those who cling to worthless idols;^(m) as for me, I trust in the Lord .⁽ⁿ⁾

I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction^(o) and knew the anguish^(p) of my soul.

You have not given me into the hands^(q) of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.^(r)

Be merciful to me, Lord , for I am in distress;^(s) my eyes grow weak with sorrow,^(t) my soul and body^(u) with grief.

My life is consumed by anguish^(v) and my years by groaning;^(w) my strength fails^(x) because of my affliction,^[b](y) and my bones grow weak.^(z)

Because of all my enemies,^(aa) I am the utter contempt^(ab) of my neighbors^(ac) and an object of dread to my closest friends— those who see me on the street flee from me.

I am forgotten as though I were dead;^(ad) I have become like broken pottery.

For I hear many whispering,^(ae) "Terror on every side!"^(af) They conspire against me^(ag) and plot to take my life.^(ah)

But I trust^(ai) in you, Lord ; I say, "You are my God."

My times^(aj) are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.

Let your face shine^(ak) on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.^(al)

Let me not be put to shame,^(am) Lord , for I have cried out to you; but let the wicked be put to shame and be silent^(an) in the realm of the dead.

Let their lying lips^(ao) be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly^(ap) against the righteous.

How abundant are the good things^(aq) that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all,^(ar) on those who take refuge^(as) in you.

In the shelter^(at) of your presence you hide^(au) them from all human intrigues;^(av) you keep them safe in your dwelling from accusing tongues.

Praise be to the Lord ,^(aw) for he showed me the wonders of his love^(ax) when I was in a city under siege.^(ay)

In my alarm^(az) I said, "I am cut off^(ba) from your sight!" Yet you heard my cry^(bb) for mercy when I called to you for help.

Love the Lord , all his faithful people!^(bc) The Lord preserves those who are true to him,^(bd) but the proud he pays back^(be) in full.

Be strong and take heart,^(bf) all you who hope in the Lord .

Of David.

Contend,^(a) Lord , with those who contend with me; fight^(b) against those who fight against me.

Take up shield^(c) and armor; arise^(d) and come to my aid.^(e)

Brandish spear^(f) and javelin^[a](g) against those who pursue me. Say to me, "I am your salvation.^(h)"

May those who seek my life⁽ⁱ⁾ be disgraced^(j) and put to shame;^(k) may those who plot my ruin be turned back^(l) in dismay.

May they be like chaff^(m) before the wind, with the angel of the Lord ⁽ⁿ⁾ driving them away;

may their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.

Since they hid their net^(o) for me without cause^(p) and without cause dug a pit^(q) for me,

may ruin overtake them by surprise—^(r) may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit,^(s) to their ruin.

Then my soul will rejoice^(t) in the Lord and delight in his salvation.^(u)

My whole being will exclaim, "Who is like you,^(v) Lord ? You rescue the poor from those too strong^(w) for them, the poor and needy^(x) from those who rob them."

Ruthless witnesses^(y) come forward; they question me on things I know nothing about.

They repay me evil for good^(z) and leave me like one bereaved.

Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth^(aa) and humbled myself with fasting.^(ab) When my prayers returned to me unanswered,

I went about mourning^(ac) as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother.

But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee;^(ad) assailants gathered against me without my knowledge. They slandered^(ae) me without ceasing.

Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked;^[b](af) they gnashed their teeth^(ag) at me.

How long,^(ah) Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from their ravages, my precious life^(ai) from these lions.^(aj)

I will give you thanks in the great assembly;^(ak) among the throngs^(al) I will praise you.^(am)

Do not let those gloat over me who are my enemies^(an) without cause; do not let those who hate me without reason^(ao) maliciously wink the eye.^(ap)

They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations^(aq) against those who live quietly in the land.

They sneer^(ar) at me and say, "Aha! Aha!^(as) With our own eyes we have seen it."

Lord , you have seen^(at) this; do not be silent. Do not be far^(au) from me, Lord.

Awake,^(av) and rise^(aw) to my defense! Contend^(ax) for me, my God and Lord.

Vindicate me in your righteousness, Lord my God; do not let them gloat^(ay) over me.

Do not let them think, "Aha,^(az) just what we wanted!" or say, "We have swallowed him up."^(ba)

May all who gloat^(bb) over my distress^(bc) be put to shame^(bd) and confusion; may all who exalt themselves over me^(be) be clothed with shame and disgrace.

May those who delight in my vindication^(bf) shout for joy^(bg) and gladness; may they always say, "The Lord be exalted, who delights^(bh) in the well-being of his servant."^(bi)

My tongue will proclaim your righteousness,^(bj) your praises all day long.^(bk)