Study Desk

A song. A psalm of Asaph.

O God, do not remain silent;^(a) do not turn a deaf ear, do not stand aloof, O God.

See how your enemies growl,^(b) how your foes rear their heads.^(c)

With cunning they conspire^(d) against your people; they plot against those you cherish.^(e)

"Come," they say, "let us destroy^(f) them as a nation,^(g) so that Israel's name is remembered^(h) no more."

With one mind they plot together;⁽ⁱ⁾ they form an alliance against you—

the tents of Edom^(j) and the Ishmaelites, of Moab^(k) and the Hagrites,^(l)

Byblos,^(m) Ammon⁽ⁿ⁾ and Amalek,^(o) Philistia,^(p) with the people of Tyre.^(q)

Even Assyria^(r) has joined them to reinforce Lot's descendants.^[b](s)

Do to them as you did to Midian,^(t) as you did to Sisera^(u) and Jabin^(v) at the river Kishon,^(w)

who perished at Endor^(x) and became like dung^(y) on the ground.

Make their nobles like Oreb and Zeeb,^(z) all their princes like Zebah and Zalmunna,^(aa)

who said, "Let us take possession^(ab) of the pasturelands of God."

Make them like tumbleweed, my God, like chaff^(ac) before the wind.

As fire consumes the forest or a flame sets the mountains ablaze,^(ad)

so pursue them with your tempest^(ae) and terrify them with your storm.^(af)

Cover their faces with shame,^(ag) Lord , so that they will seek your name.

May they ever be ashamed and dismayed;^(ah) may they perish in disgrace.^(ai)

Let them know that you, whose name is the Lord ^(aj)— that you alone are the Most High^(ak) over all the earth.^(al)

For the director of music. According to gittith.^[b] Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

How lovely is your dwelling place,^(a) Lord Almighty!

My soul yearns,^(b) even faints, for the courts of the Lord ; my heart and my flesh cry out for the living God.^(c)

Even the sparrow has found a home, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may have her young— a place near your altar,^(d) Lord Almighty,^(e) my King^(f) and my God.^(g)

Blessed are those who dwell in your house; they are ever praising you.^[c]

Blessed are those whose strength^(h) is in you, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.⁽ⁱ⁾

As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs;^(j) the autumn^(k) rains also cover it with pools.^[d]

They go from strength to strength,^(l) till each appears^(m) before God in Zion.⁽ⁿ⁾

Hear my prayer,^(o) Lord God Almighty; listen to me, God of Jacob.

Look on our shield,^[e](p) O God; look with favor on your anointed one.^(q)

Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper^(r) in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

For the Lord God is a sun^(s) and shield;^(t) the Lord bestows favor and honor; no good thing does he withhold^(u) from those whose walk is blameless.

Lord Almighty, blessed^(v) is the one who trusts in you.

For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm.

You, Lord , showed favor to your land; you restored the fortunes^(a) of Jacob.

You forgave^(b) the iniquity^(c) of your people and covered all their sins.^[b]

You set aside all your wrath^(d) and turned from your fierce anger.^(e)

Restore^(f) us again, God our Savior,^(g) and put away your displeasure toward us.

Will you be angry with us forever?^(h) Will you prolong your anger through all generations?

Will you not revive⁽ⁱ⁾ us again, that your people may rejoice^(j) in you?

Show us your unfailing love,^(k) Lord , and grant us your salvation.^(l)

I will listen to what God the Lord says; he promises peace^(m) to his people, his faithful servants— but let them not turn to folly.⁽ⁿ⁾

Surely his salvation^(o) is near those who fear him, that his glory^(p) may dwell in our land.

Love and faithfulness^(q) meet together; righteousness^(r) and peace kiss each other.

Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness^(s) looks down from heaven.

The Lord will indeed give what is good,^(t) and our land will yield^(u) its harvest.

Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.

A prayer of David.

Hear me, Lord , and answer^(a) me, for I am poor and needy.

Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you.^(b) You are my God;

³have mercy^(c) on me, Lord, for I call^(d) to you all day long.

Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust^(e) in you.

You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love^(f) to all who call to you.

Hear my prayer, Lord ; listen to my cry^(g) for mercy.

When I am in distress,^(h) I call⁽ⁱ⁾ to you, because you answer^(j) me.

Among the gods^(k) there is none like you,^(l) Lord; no deeds can compare with yours.

All the nations you have made will come^(m) and worship⁽ⁿ⁾ before you, Lord; they will bring glory^(o) to your name.

For you are great^(p) and do marvelous deeds;^(q) you alone^(r) are God.

Teach me your way,^(s) Lord , that I may rely on your faithfulness;^(t) give me an undivided^(u) heart, that I may fear^(v) your name.

I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;^(w) I will glorify your name forever.

For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me^(x) from the depths, from the realm of the dead.^(y)

Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God; ruthless people are trying to kill me— they have no regard for you.^(z)

But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious^(aa) God, slow to anger,^(ab) abounding^(ac) in love and faithfulness.^(ad)

Turn to me^(ae) and have mercy^(af) on me; show your strength^(ag) in behalf of your servant; save me, because I serve you just as my mother did.^(ah)

Give me a sign^(ai) of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, Lord , have helped me and comforted me.