Study Desk

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)

For the director of music. Of David the servant of the Lord .

I have a message from God in my heart concerning the sinfulness of the wicked:^[b](a) There is no fear^(b) of God before their eyes.^(c)

In their own eyes they flatter themselves too much to detect or hate their sin.^(d)

The words of their mouths^(e) are wicked and deceitful;^(f) they fail to act wisely^(g) or do good.^(h)

Even on their beds they plot evil;⁽ⁱ⁾ they commit themselves to a sinful course^(j) and do not reject what is wrong.^(k)

Your love, Lord , reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness^(l) to the skies.^(m)

Your righteousness⁽ⁿ⁾ is like the highest mountains,^(o) your justice like the great deep.^(p) You, Lord , preserve both people and animals.^(q)

How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!^(r) People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.^(s)

They feast on the abundance of your house;^(t) you give them drink from your river^(u) of delights.^(v)

For with you is the fountain of life;^(w) in your light^(x) we see light.

Continue your love^(y) to those who know you,^(z) your righteousness to the upright in heart.^(aa)

May the foot of the proud not come against me, nor the hand of the wicked^(ab) drive me away.

See how the evildoers lie fallen— thrown down, not able to rise!^(ac)

Of David.

Do not fret because of those who are evil or be envious^(a) of those who do wrong;^(b)

for like the grass they will soon wither,^(c) like green plants they will soon die away.^(d)

Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land^(e) and enjoy safe pasture.^(f)

Take delight^(g) in the Lord , and he will give you the desires of your heart.^(h)

Commit your way to the Lord ; trust in him⁽ⁱ⁾ and he will do this:

He will make your righteous reward^(j) shine like the dawn,^(k) your vindication like the noonday sun.

Be still^(l) before the Lord and wait patiently^(m) for him; do not fret⁽ⁿ⁾ when people succeed in their ways,^(o) when they carry out their wicked schemes.^(p)

Refrain from anger^(q) and turn from wrath; do not fret^(r)—it leads only to evil.

For those who are evil will be destroyed,^(s) but those who hope^(t) in the Lord will inherit the land.^(u)

A little while, and the wicked will be no more;^(v) though you look for them, they will not be found.

But the meek will inherit the land^(w) and enjoy peace and prosperity.^(x)

The wicked plot^(y) against the righteous and gnash their teeth^(z) at them;

but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.^(aa)

The wicked draw the sword^(ab) and bend the bow^(ac) to bring down the poor and needy,^(ad) to slay those whose ways are upright.

But their swords will pierce their own hearts,^(ae) and their bows will be broken.^(af)

Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth^(ag) of many wicked;

for the power of the wicked will be broken,^(ah) but the Lord upholds^(ai) the righteous.

The blameless spend their days under the Lord 's care,^(aj) and their inheritance will endure forever.^(ak)

In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.

But the wicked will perish:^(al) Though the Lord 's enemies are like the flowers of the field, they will be consumed, they will go up in smoke.^(am)

The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously;^(an)

those the Lord blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses^(ao) will be destroyed.^(ap)

The Lord makes firm the steps^(aq) of the one who delights^(ar) in him;

though he may stumble, he will not fall,^(as) for the Lord upholds^(at) him with his hand.

I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken^(au) or their children begging^(av) bread.

They are always generous and lend freely;^(aw) their children will be a blessing.^[b](ax)