Study Desk

Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. A song.

He has founded his city on the holy mountain.^(a)

The Lord loves the gates of Zion^(b) more than all the other dwellings of Jacob.

Glorious things are said of you, city of God:^[a](c)

"I will record Rahab^[b](d) and Babylon among those who acknowledge me— Philistia^(e) too, and Tyre^(f), along with Cush^[c]— and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion.'"^[d](g)

Indeed, of Zion it will be said, "This one and that one were born in her, and the Most High himself will establish her."

The Lord will write in the register^(h) of the peoples: "This one was born in Zion."

As they make music⁽ⁱ⁾ they will sing, "All my fountains^(j) are in you."

A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah. For the director of music. According to mahalath leannoth.^[b] A maskil^[c] of Heman the Ezrahite.

Lord , you are the God who saves me;^(a) day and night I cry out^(b) to you.

May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry.

I am overwhelmed with troubles^(c) and my life draws near to death.^(d)

I am counted among those who go down to the pit;^(e) I am like one without strength.^(f)

I am set apart with the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, who are cut off^(g) from your care.

You have put me in the lowest pit, in the darkest depths.^(h)

Your wrath⁽ⁱ⁾ lies heavily on me; you have overwhelmed me with all your waves.^[d](j)

You have taken from me my closest friends^(k) and have made me repulsive to them. I am confined^(l) and cannot escape;^(m)

my eyes⁽ⁿ⁾ are dim with grief. I call^(o) to you, Lord , every day; I spread out my hands^(p) to you.

Do you show your wonders to the dead? Do their spirits rise up and praise you?^(q)

Is your love declared in the grave, your faithfulness^(r) in Destruction^[e]?

Are your wonders known in the place of darkness, or your righteous deeds in the land of oblivion?

But I cry to you for help,^(s) Lord ; in the morning^(t) my prayer comes before you.^(u)

Why, Lord , do you reject^(v) me and hide your face^(w) from me?

From my youth^(x) I have suffered^(y) and been close to death; I have borne your terrors^(z) and am in despair.^(aa)

Your wrath^(ab) has swept over me; your terrors^(ac) have destroyed me.

All day long they surround me like a flood;^(ad) they have completely engulfed me.

You have taken from me friend^(ae) and neighbor— darkness is my closest friend.