Study Desk

I am in the midst of lions;^(j) I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts— men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.^(k)

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.^(l)

They spread a net for my feet^(m)— I was bowed down⁽ⁿ⁾ in distress. They dug a pit^(o) in my path— but they have fallen into it themselves.^(p)

My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast;^(q) I will sing and make music.

Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre!^(r) I will awaken the dawn.

I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.

For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.^(s)

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;^(t) let your glory be over all the earth.^(u)

For the director of music. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." Of David. A miktam.^[b]

Do you rulers indeed speak justly?^(a) Do you judge people with equity?

No, in your heart you devise injustice,^(b) and your hands mete out violence on the earth.^(c)

Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward, spreading lies.

Their venom is like the venom of a snake,^(d) like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears,

that will not heed^(e) the tune of the charmer,^(f) however skillful the enchanter may be.

Break the teeth in their mouths, O God;^(g) Lord , tear out the fangs of those lions!^(h)

Let them vanish like water that flows away;⁽ⁱ⁾ when they draw the bow, let their arrows fall short.^(j)

May they be like a slug that melts away as it moves along,^(k) like a stillborn child^(l) that never sees the sun.

Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns^(m)— whether they be green or dry—the wicked will be swept away.^[c](n)

The righteous will be glad^(o) when they are avenged,^(p) when they dip their feet in the blood of the wicked.^(q)

Then people will say, "Surely the righteous still are rewarded;^(r) surely there is a God who judges the earth."^(s)

For the director of music. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." Of David. A miktam.^[b] When Saul had sent men to watch David's house^(a) in order to kill him.

Deliver me from my enemies, O God;^(b) be my fortress against those who are attacking me.^(c)

Deliver me from evildoers^(d) and save me from those who are after my blood.^(e)

See how they lie in wait for me! Fierce men conspire^(f) against me for no offense or sin of mine, Lord .

I have done no wrong,^(g) yet they are ready to attack me.^(h) Arise to help me; look on my plight!⁽ⁱ⁾

You, Lord God Almighty, you who are the God of Israel,^(j) rouse yourself^(k) to punish all the nations;^(l) show no mercy to wicked traitors.^[c](m)

They return at evening, snarling like dogs,⁽ⁿ⁾ and prowl about the city.

See what they spew from their mouths^(o)— the words from their lips are sharp as swords,^(p) and they think, "Who can hear us?"^(q)

But you laugh at them, Lord ;^(r) you scoff at all those nations.^(s)

You are my strength,^(t) I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress,^(u)

my God on whom I can rely. God will go before me and will let me gloat over those who slander me.

But do not kill them, Lord our shield,^[d](v) or my people will forget.^(w) In your might uproot them and bring them down.^(x)

For the sins of their mouths,^(y) for the words of their lips,^(z) let them be caught in their pride.^(aa) For the curses and lies they utter,

consume them in your wrath, consume them till they are no more.^(ab) Then it will be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob.^(ac)

They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city.

They wander about for food^(ad) and howl if not satisfied.

But I will sing^(ae) of your strength,^(af) in the morning^(ag) I will sing of your love;^(ah) for you are my fortress,^(ai) my refuge in times of trouble.^(aj)

You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.^(ak)

For the director of music. To the tune of "The Lily of the Covenant." A miktam^[b] of David. For teaching. When he fought Aram Naharaim^[c] and Aram Zobah,^[d] and when Joab returned and struck down twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.^(b)

You have rejected us,^(c) God, and burst upon us; you have been angry^(d)—now restore us!^(e)

You have shaken the land^(f) and torn it open; mend its fractures,^(g) for it is quaking.

You have shown your people desperate times;^(h) you have given us wine that makes us stagger.⁽ⁱ⁾

But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner^(j) to be unfurled against the bow.^[e]

Save us and help us with your right hand,^(k) that those you love^(l) may be delivered.

God has spoken from his sanctuary: "In triumph I will parcel out Shechem^(m) and measure off the Valley of Sukkoth.⁽ⁿ⁾

Gilead^(o) is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim^(p) is my helmet, Judah^(q) is my scepter.^(r)

Moab is my washbasin, on Edom I toss my sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph.^(s)"

Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?

Is it not you, God, you who have now rejected us and no longer go out with our armies?^(t)

Give us aid against the enemy, for human help is worthless.^(u)

With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.^(v)