Bible Reading Plan

³ Who may ascend the mountain^(d) of the Lord ?
     Who may stand in his holy place?^(e)
4 The one who has clean hands^(f) and a pure heart,^(g)
     who does not trust in an idol^(h)
     or swear by a false god.^[a]

⁵ They will receive blessing⁽ⁱ⁾ from the Lord
     and vindication^(j) from God their Savior.
⁶ Such is the generation of those who seek him,
     who seek your face,^(k) God of Jacob.^[b][c]

⁷ Lift up your heads, you gates;^(l)
     be lifted up, you ancient doors,
     that the King^(m) of glory⁽ⁿ⁾ may come in.^(o)
8 Who is this King of glory?
     The Lord strong and mighty,^(p)
     the Lord mighty in battle.^(q)
9 Lift up your heads, you gates;
     lift them up, you ancient doors,
     that the King of glory may come in.
¹⁰ Who is he, this King of glory?
     The Lord Almighty^(r)—
     he is the King of glory.

² I trust in you;^(b)
     do not let me be put to shame,
     nor let my enemies triumph over me.
³ No one who hopes in you
     will ever be put to shame,^(c)
but shame will come on those
     who are treacherous^(d) without cause.

⁴ Show me your ways, Lord ,
     teach me your paths.^(e)
5 Guide me in your truth^(f) and teach me,
     for you are God my Savior,^(g)
     and my hope is in you^(h) all day long.
⁶ Remember, Lord , your great mercy and love,⁽ⁱ⁾
     for they are from of old.
⁷ Do not remember the sins of my youth^(j)
     and my rebellious ways;^(k)
according to your love^(l) remember me,
     for you, Lord , are good.^(m)

⁸ Good and upright⁽ⁿ⁾ is the Lord ;
     therefore he instructs^(o) sinners in his ways.
⁹ He guides^(p) the humble in what is right
     and teaches them^(q) his way.
¹⁰ All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful^(r)
     toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.^(s)
11 For the sake of your name,^(t) Lord ,
     forgive^(u) my iniquity,^(v) though it is great.

¹² Who, then, are those who fear the Lord ?^(w)
     He will instruct them in the ways^(x) they should choose.^[b]
13 They will spend their days in prosperity,^(y)
     and their descendants will inherit the land.^(z)
14 The Lord confides^(aa) in those who fear him;
     he makes his covenant known^(ab) to them.
¹⁵ My eyes are ever on the Lord ,^(ac)
     for only he will release my feet from the snare.^(ad)

¹⁶ Turn to me^(ae) and be gracious to me,^(af)
     for I am lonely^(ag) and afflicted.
¹⁷ Relieve the troubles^(ah) of my heart
     and free me from my anguish.^(ai)
18 Look on my affliction^(aj) and my distress^(ak)
     and take away all my sins.^(al)
19 See how numerous are my enemies^(am)
     and how fiercely they hate me!^(an)

²⁰ Guard my life^(ao) and rescue me;^(ap)
     do not let me be put to shame,^(aq)
     for I take refuge^(ar) in you.
²¹ May integrity^(as) and uprightness^(at) protect me,
     because my hope, Lord ,^[c] is in you.^(au)

²² Deliver Israel,^(av) O God,
     from all their troubles!

⁴ I do not sit^(j) with the deceitful,
     nor do I associate with hypocrites.^(k)
5 I abhor^(l) the assembly of evildoers
     and refuse to sit with the wicked.
⁶ I wash my hands in innocence,^(m)
     and go about your altar, Lord ,
⁷ proclaiming aloud your praise⁽ⁿ⁾
     and telling of all your wonderful deeds.^(o)

⁸  Lord , I love^(p) the house where you live,
     the place where your glory dwells.^(q)
9 Do not take away my soul along with sinners,
     my life with those who are bloodthirsty,^(r)
10 in whose hands are wicked schemes,^(s)
     whose right hands are full of bribes.^(t)
11 I lead a blameless life;
     deliver me^(u) and be merciful to me.

¹² My feet stand on level ground;^(v)
     in the great congregation^(w) I will praise the Lord .

² When the wicked advance against me
     to devour^[a] me,
it is my enemies and my foes
     who will stumble and fall.^(e)
3 Though an army besiege me,
     my heart will not fear;^(f)
though war break out against me,
     even then I will be confident.^(g)

⁴ One thing^(h) I ask from the Lord ,
     this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
     all the days of my life,⁽ⁱ⁾
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
     and to seek him in his temple.
⁵ For in the day of trouble^(j)
     he will keep me safe^(k) in his dwelling;
he will hide me^(l) in the shelter of his sacred tent
     and set me high upon a rock.^(m)

⁶ Then my head will be exalted⁽ⁿ⁾
     above the enemies who surround me;^(o)
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice^(p) with shouts of joy;^(q)
     I will sing^(r) and make music^(s) to the Lord .

⁷ Hear my voice^(t) when I call, Lord ;
     be merciful to me and answer me.^(u)
8 My heart says of you, "Seek his face!^(v)"
     Your face, Lord , I will seek.
⁹ Do not hide your face^(w) from me,
     do not turn your servant away in anger;^(x)
     you have been my helper.^(y)
Do not reject me or forsake^(z) me,
     God my Savior.^(aa)
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
     the Lord will receive me.
¹¹ Teach me your way,^(ab) Lord ;
     lead me in a straight path^(ac)
     because of my oppressors.^(ad)
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
     for false witnesses^(ae) rise up against me,
     spouting malicious accusations.

¹³ I remain confident of this:
     I will see the goodness of the Lord ^(af)
     in the land of the living.^(ag)
14 Wait^(ah) for the Lord ;
     be strong^(ai) and take heart
     and wait for the Lord .

³ Do not drag me away with the wicked,
     with those who do evil,
who speak cordially with their neighbors
     but harbor malice in their hearts.^(g)
4 Repay them for their deeds
     and for their evil work;
repay them for what their hands have done^(h)
     and bring back on them what they deserve.⁽ⁱ⁾

⁵ Because they have no regard for the deeds of the Lord
     and what his hands have done,^(j)
he will tear them down
     and never build them up again.

⁶ Praise be to the Lord ,^(k)
     for he has heard my cry for mercy.^(l)
7 The Lord is my strength^(m) and my shield;
     my heart trusts⁽ⁿ⁾ in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,^(o)
     and with my song I praise him.^(p)

⁸ The Lord is the strength^(q) of his people,
     a fortress of salvation^(r) for his anointed one.^(s)
9 Save your people^(t) and bless your inheritance;^(u)
     be their shepherd^(v) and carry them^(w) forever.

³ The voice^(e) of the Lord is over the waters;
     the God of glory^(f) thunders,^(g)
     the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.^(h)
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful;⁽ⁱ⁾
     the voice of the Lord is majestic.
⁵ The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
     the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.^(j)
6 He makes Lebanon leap^(k) like a calf,
     Sirion^[b](l) like a young wild ox.^(m)
7 The voice of the Lord strikes
     with flashes of lightning.^(n)
8 The voice of the Lord shakes the desert;
     the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.^(o)
9 The voice of the Lord twists the oaks^[c](p)
     and strips the forests bare.
And in his temple all cry, "Glory!"^(q)

¹⁰ The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;^(r)
     the Lord is enthroned as King forever.^(s)
11 The Lord gives strength to his people;^(t)
     the Lord blesses his people with peace.^(u)

⁴ Sing^(h) the praises of the Lord , you his faithful people;⁽ⁱ⁾
     praise his holy name.^(j)
5 For his anger^(k) lasts only a moment,^(l)
     but his favor lasts a lifetime;^(m)
weeping⁽ⁿ⁾ may stay for the night,
     but rejoicing comes in the morning.^(o)

⁶ When I felt secure, I said,
     "I will never be shaken."^(p)
7  Lord , when you favored me,
     you made my royal mountain^[c] stand firm;
but when you hid your face,^(q)
     I was dismayed.

⁸ To you, Lord , I called;
     to the Lord I cried for mercy:
⁹ "What is gained if I am silenced,
     if I go down to the pit?^(r)
Will the dust praise you?
     Will it proclaim your faithfulness?^(s)
10 Hear,^(t) Lord , and be merciful to me;^(u)
     Lord , be my help.^(v)"

¹¹ You turned my wailing^(w) into dancing;^(x)
     you removed my sackcloth^(y) and clothed me with joy,^(z)
12 that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent.
     Lord my God, I will praise^(aa) you forever.^(ab)

⁶ I hate those who cling to worthless idols;^(m)
     as for me, I trust in the Lord .^(n)
7 I will be glad and rejoice in your love,
     for you saw my affliction^(o)
     and knew the anguish^(p) of my soul.
⁸ You have not given me into the hands^(q) of the enemy
     but have set my feet in a spacious place.^(r)

⁹ 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.
¹⁰ 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)
11 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.
¹² I am forgotten as though I were dead;^(ad)
     I have become like broken pottery.
¹³ For I hear many whispering,^(ae)
     "Terror on every side!"^(af)
They conspire against me^(ag)
     and plot to take my life.^(ah)

¹⁴ But I trust^(ai) in you, Lord ;
     I say, "You are my God."
¹⁵ My times^(aj) are in your hands;
     deliver me from the hands of my enemies,
     from those who pursue me.
¹⁶ Let your face shine^(ak) on your servant;
     save me in your unfailing love.^(al)
17 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.
¹⁸ Let their lying lips^(ao) be silenced,
     for with pride and contempt
     they speak arrogantly^(ap) against the righteous.

¹⁹ 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.
²⁰ 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.

²¹ 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)
22 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.

²³ 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.
²⁴ Be strong and take heart,^(bf)
     all you who hope in the Lord .

³ When I kept silent,^(d)
     my bones wasted away^(e)
     through my groaning^(f) all day long.
⁴ For day and night
     your hand was heavy^(g) on me;
my strength was sapped^(h)
     as in the heat of summer.^[b]

⁵ Then I acknowledged my sin to you
     and did not cover up my iniquity.⁽ⁱ⁾
I said, "I will confess^(j)
     my transgressions^(k) to the Lord ."
And you forgave
     the guilt of my sin.^(l)

⁶ Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
     while you may be found;^(m)
surely the rising⁽ⁿ⁾ of the mighty waters^(o)
     will not reach them.^(p)
7 You are my hiding place;^(q)
     you will protect me from trouble^(r)
     and surround me with songs of deliverance.^(s)

⁸ I will instruct^(t) you and teach you^(u) in the way you should go;
     I will counsel you with my loving eye on^(v) you.
⁹ Do not be like the horse or the mule,
     which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle^(w)
     or they will not come to you.
¹⁰ Many are the woes of the wicked,^(x)
     but the Lord 's unfailing love
     surrounds the one who trusts^(y) in him.

¹¹ Rejoice in the Lord ^(z) and be glad, you righteous;
     sing, all you who are upright in heart!

⁴ For the word of the Lord is right^(h) and true;⁽ⁱ⁾
     he is faithful^(j) in all he does.
⁵ The Lord loves righteousness and justice;^(k)
     the earth is full of his unfailing love.^(l)

⁶ By the word^(m) of the Lord the heavens were made,⁽ⁿ⁾
     their starry host^(o) by the breath of his mouth.
⁷ He gathers the waters^(p) of the sea into jars^[a];^(q)
     he puts the deep into storehouses.
⁸ Let all the earth fear the Lord ;^(r)
     let all the people of the world^(s) revere him.^(t)
9 For he spoke, and it came to be;
     he commanded,^(u) and it stood firm.

¹⁰ The Lord foils^(v) the plans^(w) of the nations;^(x)
     he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.
¹¹ But the plans of the Lord stand firm^(y) forever,
     the purposes^(z) of his heart through all generations.

¹² Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord ,^(aa)
     the people he chose^(ab) for his inheritance.^(ac)
13 From heaven the Lord looks down^(ad)
     and sees all mankind;^(ae)
14 from his dwelling place^(af) he watches
     all who live on earth—
¹⁵ he who forms^(ag) the hearts of all,
     who considers everything they do.^(ah)

¹⁶ No king is saved by the size of his army;^(ai)
     no warrior escapes by his great strength.
¹⁷ A horse^(aj) is a vain hope for deliverance;
     despite all its great strength it cannot save.
¹⁸ But the eyes^(ak) of the Lord are on those who fear him,
     on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,^(al)
19 to deliver them from death^(am)
     and keep them alive in famine.^(an)

²⁰ We wait^(ao) in hope for the Lord ;
     he is our help and our shield.
²¹ In him our hearts rejoice,^(ap)
     for we trust in his holy name.^(aq)
22 May your unfailing love^(ar) be with us, Lord ,
     even as we put our hope in you.

⁴ I sought the Lord ,^(g) and he answered me;
     he delivered^(h) me from all my fears.
⁵ Those who look to him are radiant;⁽ⁱ⁾
     their faces are never covered with shame.^(j)
6 This poor man called, and the Lord heard him;
     he saved him out of all his troubles.^(k)
7 The angel of the Lord ^(l) encamps around those who fear him,
     and he delivers^(m) them.

⁸ Taste and see that the Lord is good;⁽ⁿ⁾
     blessed is the one who takes refuge^(o) in him.
⁹ Fear the Lord ,^(p) you his holy people,
     for those who fear him lack nothing.^(q)
10 The lions may grow weak and hungry,
     but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.^(r)
11 Come, my children, listen^(s) to me;
     I will teach you^(t) the fear of the Lord .^(u)
12 Whoever of you loves life^(v)
     and desires to see many good days,
¹³ keep your tongue^(w) from evil
     and your lips from telling lies.^(x)
14 Turn from evil and do good;^(y)
     seek peace^(z) and pursue it.

¹⁵ The eyes of the Lord ^(aa) are on the righteous,^(ab)
     and his ears are attentive^(ac) to their cry;
¹⁶ but the face of the Lord is against^(ad) those who do evil,^(ae)
     to blot out their name^(af) from the earth.

¹⁷ The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears^(ag) them;
     he delivers them from all their troubles.
¹⁸ The Lord is close^(ah) to the brokenhearted^(ai)
     and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

¹⁹ The righteous person may have many troubles,^(aj)
     but the Lord delivers him from them all;^(ak)
20 he protects all his bones,
     not one of them will be broken.^(al)

²¹ Evil will slay the wicked;^(am)
     the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
²² The Lord will rescue^(an) his servants;
     no one who takes refuge^(ao) in him will be condemned.

⁴ 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.
⁵ May they be like chaff^(m) before the wind,
     with the angel of the Lord ⁽ⁿ⁾ driving them away;
⁶ may their path be dark and slippery,
     with the angel of the Lord pursuing them.

⁷ Since they hid their net^(o) for me without cause^(p)
     and without cause dug a pit^(q) for me,
⁸ may ruin overtake them by surprise—^(r)
     may the net they hid entangle them,
     may they fall into the pit,^(s) to their ruin.
⁹ Then my soul will rejoice^(t) in the Lord
     and delight in his salvation.^(u)
10 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."

¹¹ Ruthless witnesses^(y) come forward;
     they question me on things I know nothing about.
¹² They repay me evil for good^(z)
     and leave me like one bereaved.
¹³ Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth^(aa)
     and humbled myself with fasting.^(ab)
When my prayers returned to me unanswered,
¹⁴       I went about mourning^(ac)
     as though for my friend or brother.
I bowed my head in grief
     as though weeping for my mother.
¹⁵ But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee;^(ad)
     assailants gathered against me without my knowledge.
     They slandered^(ae) me without ceasing.
¹⁶ Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked;^[b](af)
     they gnashed their teeth^(ag) at me.

¹⁷ How long,^(ah) Lord, will you look on?
     Rescue me from their ravages,
     my precious life^(ai) from these lions.^(aj)
18 I will give you thanks in the great assembly;^(ak)
     among the throngs^(al) I will praise you.^(am)
19 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)
20 They do not speak peaceably,
     but devise false accusations^(aq)
     against those who live quietly in the land.
²¹ They sneer^(ar) at me and say, "Aha! Aha!^(as)
     With our own eyes we have seen it."

²²  Lord , you have seen^(at) this; do not be silent.
     Do not be far^(au) from me, Lord.
²³ Awake,^(av) and rise^(aw) to my defense!
     Contend^(ax) for me, my God and Lord.
²⁴ Vindicate me in your righteousness, Lord my God;
     do not let them gloat^(ay) over me.
²⁵ Do not let them think, "Aha,^(az) just what we wanted!"
     or say, "We have swallowed him up."^(ba)

²⁶ 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.
²⁷ 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)

²⁸ My tongue will proclaim your righteousness,^(bj)
     your praises all day long.^(bk)

² In their own eyes they flatter themselves
     too much to detect or hate their sin.^(d)
3 The words of their mouths^(e) are wicked and deceitful;^(f)
     they fail to act wisely^(g) or do good.^(h)
4 Even on their beds they plot evil;⁽ⁱ⁾
     they commit themselves to a sinful course^(j)
     and do not reject what is wrong.^(k)

⁵ Your love, Lord , reaches to the heavens,
     your faithfulness^(l) to the skies.^(m)
6 Your righteousness⁽ⁿ⁾ is like the highest mountains,^(o)
     your justice like the great deep.^(p)
     You, Lord , preserve both people and animals.^(q)
7 How priceless is your unfailing love, O God!^(r)
     People take refuge in the shadow of your wings.^(s)
8 They feast on the abundance of your house;^(t)
     you give them drink from your river^(u) of delights.^(v)
9 For with you is the fountain of life;^(w)
     in your light^(x) we see light.

¹⁰ Continue your love^(y) to those who know you,^(z)
     your righteousness to the upright in heart.^(aa)
11 May the foot of the proud not come against me,
     nor the hand of the wicked^(ab) drive me away.
¹² See how the evildoers lie fallen—
     thrown down, not able to rise!^(ac)

³ Trust in the Lord and do good;
     dwell in the land^(e) and enjoy safe pasture.^(f)
4 Take delight^(g) in the Lord ,
     and he will give you the desires of your heart.^(h)

⁵ Commit your way to the Lord ;
     trust in him⁽ⁱ⁾ and he will do this:
⁶ He will make your righteous reward^(j) shine like the dawn,^(k)
     your vindication like the noonday sun.

⁷ 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)

⁸ Refrain from anger^(q) and turn from wrath;
     do not fret^(r)—it leads only to evil.
⁹ For those who are evil will be destroyed,^(s)
     but those who hope^(t) in the Lord will inherit the land.^(u)

¹⁰ A little while, and the wicked will be no more;^(v)
     though you look for them, they will not be found.
¹¹ But the meek will inherit the land^(w)
     and enjoy peace and prosperity.^(x)

¹² The wicked plot^(y) against the righteous
     and gnash their teeth^(z) at them;
¹³ but the Lord laughs at the wicked,
     for he knows their day is coming.^(aa)

¹⁴ 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.
¹⁵ But their swords will pierce their own hearts,^(ae)
     and their bows will be broken.^(af)

¹⁶ Better the little that the righteous have
     than the wealth^(ag) of many wicked;
¹⁷ for the power of the wicked will be broken,^(ah)
     but the Lord upholds^(ai) the righteous.

¹⁸ The blameless spend their days under the Lord 's care,^(aj)
     and their inheritance will endure forever.^(ak)
19 In times of disaster they will not wither;
     in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.

²⁰ 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)

²¹ The wicked borrow and do not repay,
     but the righteous give generously;^(an)
22 those the Lord blesses will inherit the land,
     but those he curses^(ao) will be destroyed.^(ap)

²³ The Lord makes firm the steps^(aq)
     of the one who delights^(ar) in him;
²⁴ though he may stumble, he will not fall,^(as)
     for the Lord upholds^(at) him with his hand.

²⁵ I was young and now I am old,
     yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken^(au)
     or their children begging^(av) bread.
²⁶ They are always generous and lend freely;^(aw)
     their children will be a blessing.^[b](ax)

²⁷ Turn from evil and do good;^(ay)
     then you will dwell in the land forever.^(az)
28 For the Lord loves the just
     and will not forsake his faithful ones.^(ba)

Wrongdoers will be completely destroyed^[c];
     the offspring of the wicked will perish.^(bb)
29 The righteous will inherit the land^(bc)
     and dwell in it forever.^(bd)

³⁰ The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,^(be)
     and their tongues speak what is just.
³¹ The law of their God is in their hearts;^(bf)
     their feet do not slip.^(bg)

³² The wicked lie in wait^(bh) for the righteous,^(bi)
     intent on putting them to death;
³³ but the Lord will not leave them in the power of the wicked
     or let them be condemned^(bj) when brought to trial.^(bk)

³⁴ Hope in the Lord ^(bl)
     and keep his way.^(bm)
He will exalt you to inherit the land;
     when the wicked are destroyed,^(bn) you will see^(bo) it.

³⁵ I have seen a wicked and ruthless man
     flourishing^(bp) like a luxuriant native tree,
³⁶ but he soon passed away and was no more;
     though I looked for him, he could not be found.^(bq)

³⁷ Consider the blameless,^(br) observe the upright;^(bs)
     a future awaits those who seek peace.^[d](bt)
38 But all sinners^(bu) will be destroyed;^(bv)
     there will be no future^[e] for the wicked.^(bw)

³⁹ The salvation^(bx) of the righteous comes from the Lord ;
     he is their stronghold in time of trouble.^(by)
40 The Lord helps^(bz) them and delivers^(ca) them;
     he delivers them from the wicked and saves^(cb) them,
     because they take refuge^(cc) in him.

⁵ My wounds^(g) fester and are loathsome^(h)
     because of my sinful folly.^(i)
6 I am bowed down^(j) and brought very low;
     all day long I go about mourning.^(k)
7 My back is filled with searing pain;^(l)
     there is no health^(m) in my body.
⁸ I am feeble and utterly crushed;⁽ⁿ⁾
     I groan^(o) in anguish of heart.^(p)

⁹ All my longings^(q) lie open before you, Lord;
     my sighing^(r) is not hidden from you.
¹⁰ My heart pounds,^(s) my strength fails^(t) me;
     even the light has gone from my eyes.^(u)
11 My friends and companions avoid me because of my wounds;^(v)
     my neighbors stay far away.
¹² Those who want to kill me set their traps,^(w)
     those who would harm me talk of my ruin;^(x)
     all day long they scheme and lie.^(y)

¹³ I am like the deaf, who cannot hear,^(z)
     like the mute, who cannot speak;
¹⁴ I have become like one who does not hear,
     whose mouth can offer no reply.
¹⁵  Lord , I wait^(aa) for you;
     you will answer,^(ab) Lord my God.
¹⁶ For I said, "Do not let them gloat^(ac)
     or exalt themselves over me when my feet slip."^(ad)

¹⁷ For I am about to fall,^(ae)
     and my pain^(af) is ever with me.
¹⁸ I confess my iniquity;^(ag)
     I am troubled by my sin.
¹⁹ Many have become my enemies^(ah) without cause^[b];
     those who hate me^(ai) without reason^(aj) are numerous.
²⁰ Those who repay my good with evil^(ak)
     lodge accusations^(al) against me,
     though I seek only to do what is good.

²¹  Lord , do not forsake me;^(am)
     do not be far^(an) from me, my God.
²² Come quickly^(ao) to help me,^(ap)
     my Lord and my Savior.^(aq)

⁴ "Show me, Lord , my life's end
     and the number of my days;⁽ⁱ⁾
     let me know how fleeting^(j) my life is.^(k)
5 You have made my days^(l) a mere handbreadth;
     the span of my years is as nothing before you.
Everyone is but a breath,^(m)
     even those who seem secure.^[b]

⁶ "Surely everyone goes around⁽ⁿ⁾ like a mere phantom;^(o)
     in vain they rush about,^(p) heaping up wealth^(q)
     without knowing whose it will finally be.^(r)

⁷ "But now, Lord, what do I look for?
     My hope is in you.^(s)
8 Save me^(t) from all my transgressions;^(u)
     do not make me the scorn^(v) of fools.
⁹ I was silent;^(w) I would not open my mouth,^(x)
     for you are the one who has done this.^(y)
10 Remove your scourge from me;
     I am overcome by the blow^(z) of your hand.^(aa)
11 When you rebuke^(ab) and discipline^(ac) anyone for their sin,
     you consume^(ad) their wealth like a moth^(ae)—
     surely everyone is but a breath.^(af)

¹² "Hear my prayer, Lord ,
     listen to my cry for help;^(ag)
     do not be deaf^(ah) to my weeping.^(ai)
I dwell with you as a foreigner,^(aj)
     a stranger,^(ak) as all my ancestors were.^(al)
13 Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again
     before I depart and am no more."^(am)

⁴ Blessed is the one^(l)
     who trusts in the Lord ,^(m)
who does not look to the proud,⁽ⁿ⁾
     to those who turn aside to false gods.^[b](o)
5 Many, Lord my God,
     are the wonders^(p) you have done,
     the things you planned for us.
None can compare^(q) with you;
     were I to speak and tell of your deeds,
     they would be too many^(r) to declare.

⁶ Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—^(s)
     but my ears you have opened^[c]—^(t)
     burnt offerings^(u) and sin offerings^[d] you did not require.
⁷ Then I said, "Here I am, I have come—
     it is written about me in the scroll.^[e](v)
8 I desire to do your will,^(w) my God;^(x)
     your law is within my heart."^(y)

⁹ I proclaim your saving acts^(z) in the great assembly;^(aa)
     I do not seal my lips, Lord ,
     as you know.^(ab)
10 I do not hide your righteousness in my heart;
     I speak of your faithfulness^(ac) and your saving help.
I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness
     from the great assembly.^(ad)

¹¹ Do not withhold your mercy^(ae) from me, Lord ;
     may your love^(af) and faithfulness^(ag) always protect^(ah) me.
¹² For troubles^(ai) without number surround me;
     my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.^(aj)
They are more than the hairs of my head,^(ak)
     and my heart fails^(al) within me.
¹³ Be pleased to save me, Lord ;
     come quickly, Lord , to help me.^(am)

¹⁴ May all who want to take my life^(an)
     be put to shame and confusion;^(ao)
may all who desire my ruin^(ap)
     be turned back in disgrace.
¹⁵ May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!"^(aq)
     be appalled at their own shame.
¹⁶ But may all who seek you^(ar)
     rejoice and be glad^(as) in you;
may those who long for your saving help always say,
     "The Lord is great!"^(at)

¹⁷ But as for me, I am poor and needy;^(au)
     may the Lord think^(av) of me.
You are my help^(aw) and my deliverer;^(ax)
     you are my God, do not delay.^(ay)

⁴ I said, "Have mercy^(j) on me, Lord ;
     heal^(k) me, for I have sinned^(l) against you."
⁵ My enemies say of me in malice,
     "When will he die and his name perish?^(m)"
⁶ When one of them comes to see me,
     he speaks falsely,⁽ⁿ⁾ while his heart gathers slander;^(o)
     then he goes out and spreads^(p) it around.

⁷ All my enemies whisper together^(q) against me;
     they imagine the worst for me, saying,
⁸ "A vile disease has afflicted him;
     he will never get up^(r) from the place where he lies."
⁹ Even my close friend,^(s)
     someone I trusted,
one who shared my bread,
     has turned^[b] against me.^(t)

¹⁰ But may you have mercy^(u) on me, Lord ;
     raise me up,^(v) that I may repay^(w) them.
¹¹ I know that you are pleased with me,^(x)
     for my enemy does not triumph over me.^(y)
12 Because of my integrity^(z) you uphold me^(aa)
     and set me in your presence forever.^(ab)

⁵ Why, my soul, are you downcast?⁽ⁿ⁾
     Why so disturbed^(o) within me?
Put your hope in God,^(p)
     for I will yet praise^(q) him,
     my Savior^(r) and my God.^(s)

⁶ My soul is downcast within me;
     therefore I will remember^(t) you
from the land of the Jordan,^(u)
     the heights of Hermon^(v)—from Mount Mizar.
⁷ Deep calls to deep^(w)
     in the roar of your waterfalls;
all your waves and breakers
     have swept over me.^(x)

⁸ By day the Lord directs his love,^(y)
     at night^(z) his song^(aa) is with me—
     a prayer to the God of my life.^(ab)

⁹ I say to God my Rock,^(ac)
     "Why have you forgotten^(ad) me?
Why must I go about mourning,^(ae)
     oppressed^(af) by the enemy?"^(ag)
10 My bones suffer mortal agony^(ah)
     as my foes taunt^(ai) me,
saying to me all day long,
     "Where is your God?"^(aj)

¹¹ Why, my soul, are you downcast?
     Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
     for I will yet praise him,
     my Savior and my God.^(ak)

⁵ Why, my soul, are you downcast?
     Why so disturbed within me?
Put your hope in God,
     for I will yet praise him,
     my Savior and my God.^(q)

⁴ You are my King^(m) and my God,⁽ⁿ⁾
     who decrees^[c] victories^(o) for Jacob.
⁵ Through you we push back^(p) our enemies;
     through your name we trample^(q) our foes.
⁶ I put no trust in my bow,^(r)
     my sword does not bring me victory;
⁷ but you give us victory^(s) over our enemies,
     you put our adversaries to shame.^(t)
8 In God we make our boast^(u) all day long,^(v)
     and we will praise your name forever.^[d](w)

⁹ But now you have rejected^(x) and humbled us;^(y)
     you no longer go out with our armies.^(z)
10 You made us retreat^(aa) before the enemy,
     and our adversaries have plundered^(ab) us.
¹¹ You gave us up to be devoured like sheep^(ac)
     and have scattered us among the nations.^(ad)
12 You sold your people for a pittance,^(ae)
     gaining nothing from their sale.

¹³ You have made us a reproach^(af) to our neighbors,^(ag)
     the scorn^(ah) and derision^(ai) of those around us.
¹⁴ You have made us a byword^(aj) among the nations;
     the peoples shake their heads^(ak) at us.
¹⁵ I live in disgrace^(al) all day long,
     and my face is covered with shame^(am)
16 at the taunts^(an) of those who reproach and revile^(ao) me,
     because of the enemy, who is bent on revenge.^(ap)

¹⁷ All this came upon us,
     though we had not forgotten^(aq) you;
     we had not been false to your covenant.
¹⁸ Our hearts had not turned^(ar) back;
     our feet had not strayed from your path.
¹⁹ But you crushed^(as) us and made us a haunt for jackals;^(at)
     you covered us over with deep darkness.^(au)

²⁰ If we had forgotten^(av) the name of our God
     or spread out our hands to a foreign god,^(aw)
21 would not God have discovered it,
     since he knows the secrets of the heart?^(ax)
22 Yet for your sake we face death all day long;
     we are considered as sheep^(ay) to be slaughtered.^(az)

²³ Awake,^(ba) Lord! Why do you sleep?^(bb)
     Rouse yourself!^(bc) Do not reject us forever.^(bd)
24 Why do you hide your face^(be)
     and forget^(bf) our misery and oppression?^(bg)

²⁵ We are brought down to the dust;^(bh)
     our bodies cling to the ground.
²⁶ Rise up^(bi) and help us;
     rescue^(bj) us because of your unfailing love.^(bk)

² You are the most excellent of men
     and your lips have been anointed with grace,^(b)
     since God has blessed you forever.^(c)

³ Gird your sword^(d) on your side, you mighty one;^(e)
     clothe yourself with splendor and majesty.^(f)
4 In your majesty ride forth victoriously^(g)
     in the cause of truth, humility and justice;^(h)
     let your right hand⁽ⁱ⁾ achieve awesome deeds.^(j)
5 Let your sharp arrows^(k) pierce the hearts^(l) of the king's enemies;^(m)
     let the nations fall beneath your feet.
⁶ Your throne, O God,^[c] will last for ever and ever;⁽ⁿ⁾
     a scepter of justice will be the scepter of your kingdom.
⁷ You love righteousness^(o) and hate wickedness;^(p)
     therefore God, your God, has set you above your companions
     by anointing^(q) you with the oil of joy.^(r)
8 All your robes are fragrant^(s) with myrrh^(t) and aloes^(u) and cassia;^(v)
     from palaces adorned with ivory^(w)
     the music of the strings^(x) makes you glad.
⁹ Daughters of kings^(y) are among your honored women;
     at your right hand^(z) is the royal bride^(aa) in gold of Ophir.^(ab)

¹⁰ Listen, daughter,^(ac) and pay careful attention:^(ad)
     Forget your people^(ae) and your father's house.
¹¹ Let the king be enthralled by your beauty;^(af)
     honor^(ag) him, for he is your lord.^(ah)
12 The city of Tyre^(ai) will come with a gift,^[d](aj)
     people of wealth will seek your favor.
¹³ All glorious^(ak) is the princess within her chamber;
     her gown is interwoven with gold.^(al)
14 In embroidered garments^(am) she is led to the king;^(an)
     her virgin companions^(ao) follow her—
     those brought to be with her.
¹⁵ Led in with joy and gladness,^(ap)
     they enter the palace of the king.

¹⁶ Your sons will take the place of your fathers;
     you will make them princes^(aq) throughout the land.

¹⁷ I will perpetuate your memory through all generations;^(ar)
     therefore the nations will praise you^(as) for ever and ever.^(at)

⁴ There is a river^(m) whose streams⁽ⁿ⁾ make glad the city of God,^(o)
     the holy place where the Most High^(p) dwells.^(q)
5 God is within her,^(r) she will not fall;^(s)
     God will help^(t) her at break of day.
⁶ Nations^(u) are in uproar,^(v) kingdoms^(w) fall;
     he lifts his voice,^(x) the earth melts.^(y)

⁷ The Lord Almighty^(z) is with us;^(aa)
     the God of Jacob^(ab) is our fortress.^(ac)

⁸ Come and see what the Lord has done,^(ad)
     the desolations^(ae) he has brought on the earth.
⁹ He makes wars^(af) cease
     to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow^(ag) and shatters the spear;
     he burns the shields^[d] with fire.^(ah)
10 He says, "Be still, and know that I am God;^(ai)
     I will be exalted^(aj) among the nations,
     I will be exalted in the earth."

¹¹ The Lord Almighty is with us;
     the God of Jacob^(ak) is our fortress.^(al)

² For the Lord Most High^(c) is awesome,^(d)
     the great King^(e) over all the earth.
³ He subdued^(f) nations under us,
     peoples under our feet.
⁴ He chose our inheritance^(g) for us,
     the pride of Jacob,^(h) whom he loved.^[b]

⁵ God has ascended⁽ⁱ⁾ amid shouts of joy,^(j)
     the Lord amid the sounding of trumpets.^(k)
6 Sing praises^(l) to God, sing praises;
     sing praises to our King, sing praises.
⁷ For God is the King of all the earth;^(m)
     sing to him a psalm⁽ⁿ⁾ of praise.

⁸ God reigns^(o) over the nations;
     God is seated on his holy throne.^(p)
9 The nobles of the nations assemble
     as the people of the God of Abraham,
for the kings^[c] of the earth belong to God;^(q)
     he is greatly exalted.^(r)

² Beautiful^(e) in its loftiness,
     the joy of the whole earth,
like the heights of Zaphon^[b](f) is Mount Zion,^(g)
     the city of the Great King.^(h)
3 God is in her citadels;⁽ⁱ⁾
     he has shown himself to be her fortress.^(j)

⁴ When the kings joined forces,
     when they advanced together,^(k)
5 they saw her and were astounded;
     they fled in terror.^(l)
6 Trembling seized^(m) them there,
     pain like that of a woman in labor.^(n)
7 You destroyed them like ships of Tarshish^(o)
     shattered by an east wind.^(p)

⁸ As we have heard,
     so we have seen
in the city of the Lord Almighty,
     in the city of our God:
God makes her secure
     forever.^[c](q)

⁹ Within your temple, O God,
     we meditate^(r) on your unfailing love.^(s)
10 Like your name,^(t) O God,
     your praise reaches to the ends of the earth;^(u)
     your right hand is filled with righteousness.
¹¹ Mount Zion rejoices,
     the villages of Judah are glad
     because of your judgments.^(v)

¹² Walk about Zion, go around her,
     count her towers,^(w)
13 consider well her ramparts,^(x)
     view her citadels,^(y)
that you may tell of them
     to the next generation.^(z)

¹⁴ For this God is our God for ever and ever;
     he will be our guide^(aa) even to the end.

⁵ Why should I fear^(j) when evil days come,
     when wicked deceivers surround me—
⁶ those who trust in their wealth^(k)
     and boast^(l) of their great riches?^(m)
7 No one can redeem the life of another
     or give to God a ransom for them—
⁸ the ransom⁽ⁿ⁾ for a life is costly,
     no payment is ever enough—^(o)
9 so that they should live on^(p) forever
     and not see decay.^(q)
10 For all can see that the wise die,^(r)
     that the foolish and the senseless^(s) also perish,
     leaving their wealth^(t) to others.^(u)
11 Their tombs^(v) will remain their houses^[b] forever,
     their dwellings for endless generations,^(w)
     though they had^[c] named^(x) lands after themselves.

¹² People, despite their wealth, do not endure;^(y)
     they are like the beasts that perish.^(z)

¹³ This is the fate of those who trust in themselves,^(aa)
     and of their followers, who approve their sayings.^[d]
14 They are like sheep and are destined^(ab) to die;^(ac)
     death will be their shepherd
     (but the upright will prevail^(ad) over them in the morning).
Their forms will decay in the grave,
     far from their princely mansions.
¹⁵ But God will redeem me from the realm of the dead;^(ae)
     he will surely take me to himself.^(af)
16 Do not be overawed when others grow rich,
     when the splendor of their houses increases;
¹⁷ for they will take nothing^(ag) with them when they die,
     their splendor will not descend with them.^(ah)
18 Though while they live they count themselves blessed—^(ai)
     and people praise you when you prosper—
¹⁹ they will join those who have gone before them,^(aj)
     who will never again see the light^(ak) of life.

²⁰ People who have wealth but lack understanding^(al)
     are like the beasts that perish.^(am)

⁷ "Listen, my people, and I will speak;
     I will testify^(q) against you, Israel:
     I am God, your God.^(r)
8 I bring no charges^(s) against you concerning your sacrifices
     or concerning your burnt offerings,^(t) which are ever before me.
⁹ I have no need of a bull^(u) from your stall
     or of goats^(v) from your pens,^(w)
10 for every animal of the forest^(x) is mine,
     and the cattle on a thousand hills.^(y)
11 I know every bird^(z) in the mountains,
     and the insects in the fields^(aa) are mine.
¹² If I were hungry I would not tell you,
     for the world^(ab) is mine, and all that is in it.^(ac)
13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls
     or drink the blood of goats?

¹⁴ "Sacrifice thank offerings^(ad) to God,
     fulfill your vows^(ae) to the Most High,^(af)
15 and call^(ag) on me in the day of trouble;^(ah)
     I will deliver^(ai) you, and you will honor^(aj) me."

"What right have you to recite my laws
     or take my covenant^(ak) on your lips?^(al)
17 You hate^(am) my instruction
     and cast my words behind^(an) you.
¹⁸ When you see a thief, you join^(ao) with him;
     you throw in your lot with adulterers.^(ap)
19 You use your mouth for evil
     and harness your tongue to deceit.^(aq)
20 You sit and testify against your brother^(ar)
     and slander your own mother's son.
²¹ When you did these things and I kept silent,^(as)
     you thought I was exactly^[c] like you.
But I now arraign^(at) you
     and set my accusations^(au) before you.

²² "Consider this, you who forget God,^(av)
     or I will tear you to pieces, with no one to rescue you:^(aw)
23 Those who sacrifice thank offerings honor me,
     and to the blameless^[d] I will show my salvation.^(ax)"

³ For I know my transgressions,
     and my sin is always before me.^(i)
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned^(j)
     and done what is evil in your sight;^(k)
so you are right in your verdict
     and justified when you judge.^(l)
5 Surely I was sinful^(m) at birth,⁽ⁿ⁾
     sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
⁶ Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
     you taught me wisdom^(o) in that secret place.^(p)

⁷ Cleanse^(q) me with hyssop,^(r) and I will be clean;
     wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.^(s)
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;^(t)
     let the bones^(u) you have crushed rejoice.
⁹ Hide your face from my sins^(v)
     and blot out^(w) all my iniquity.

¹⁰ Create in me a pure heart,^(x) O God,
     and renew a steadfast spirit within me.^(y)
11 Do not cast me^(z) from your presence^(aa)
     or take your Holy Spirit^(ab) from me.
¹² Restore to me the joy of your salvation^(ac)
     and grant me a willing spirit,^(ad) to sustain me.^(ae)

¹³ Then I will teach transgressors your ways,^(af)
     so that sinners^(ag) will turn back to you.^(ah)
14 Deliver me^(ai) from the guilt of bloodshed,^(aj) O God,
     you who are God my Savior,^(ak)
     and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.^(al)
15 Open my lips, Lord,^(am)
     and my mouth will declare your praise.
¹⁶ You do not delight in sacrifice,^(an) or I would bring it;
     you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
¹⁷ My sacrifice,^(ao) O God, is^[b] a broken spirit;
     a broken and contrite heart^(ap)
     you, God, will not despise.

¹⁸ May it please you to prosper Zion,^(aq)
     to build up the walls of Jerusalem.^(ar)
19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,^(as)
     in burnt offerings^(at) offered whole;
     then bulls^(au) will be offered on your altar.

⁵ Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin:
     He will snatch you up and pluck^(j) you from your tent;
     he will uproot^(k) you from the land of the living.^(l)
6 The righteous will see and fear;
     they will laugh^(m) at you, saying,
⁷ "Here now is the man
     who did not make God his stronghold⁽ⁿ⁾
but trusted in his great wealth^(o)
     and grew strong by destroying others!"

⁸ But I am like an olive tree^(p)
     flourishing in the house of God;
I trust^(q) in God's unfailing love
     for ever and ever.
⁹ For what you have done I will always praise you^(r)
     in the presence of your faithful people.^(s)
And I will hope in your name,^(t)
     for your name is good.^(u)

² God looks down from heaven^(d)
     on all mankind
to see if there are any who understand,^(e)
     any who seek God.^(f)
3 Everyone has turned away, all have become corrupt;
     there is no one who does good,
     not even one.^(g)

⁴ Do all these evildoers know nothing?

They devour my people as though eating bread;
     they never call on God.
⁵ But there they are, overwhelmed with dread,
     where there was nothing to dread.^(h)
God scattered the bones⁽ⁱ⁾ of those who attacked you;^(j)
     you put them to shame,^(k) for God despised them.^(l)

⁶ Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!
     When God restores his people,
     let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

³ Arrogant foes are attacking me;^(f)
     ruthless people^(g) are trying to kill me^(h)—
     people without regard for God.^[c](i)

⁴ Surely God is my help;^(j)
     the Lord is the one who sustains me.^(k)

⁵ Let evil recoil^(l) on those who slander me;
     in your faithfulness^(m) destroy them.

⁶ I will sacrifice a freewill offering⁽ⁿ⁾ to you;
     I will praise^(o) your name, Lord , for it is good.^(p)
7 You have delivered me^(q) from all my troubles,
     and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.^(r)

⁴ My heart is in anguish^(g) within me;
     the terrors^(h) of death have fallen on me.
⁵ Fear and trembling⁽ⁱ⁾ have beset me;
     horror^(j) has overwhelmed me.
⁶ I said, "Oh, that I had the wings of a dove!
     I would fly away and be at rest.
⁷ I would flee far away
     and stay in the desert;^[c](k)
8 I would hurry to my place of shelter,^(l)
     far from the tempest and storm.^(m)"

⁹ Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words,⁽ⁿ⁾
     for I see violence and strife^(o) in the city.^(p)
10 Day and night they prowl^(q) about on its walls;
     malice and abuse are within it.
¹¹ Destructive forces^(r) are at work in the city;
     threats and lies^(s) never leave its streets.

¹² If an enemy were insulting me,
     I could endure it;
if a foe were rising against me,
     I could hide.
¹³ But it is you, a man like myself,
     my companion, my close friend,^(t)
14 with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship^(u)
     at the house of God,^(v)
as we walked about
     among the worshipers.

¹⁵ Let death take my enemies by surprise;^(w)
     let them go down alive to the realm of the dead,^(x)
     for evil finds lodging among them.

¹⁶ As for me, I call to God,
     and the Lord saves me.
¹⁷ Evening,^(y) morning^(z) and noon^(aa)
     I cry out in distress,
     and he hears my voice.
¹⁸ He rescues me unharmed
     from the battle waged against me,
     even though many oppose me.
¹⁹ God, who is enthroned from of old,^(ab)
     who does not change—
he will hear^(ac) them and humble them,
     because they have no fear of God.^(ad)

²⁰ My companion attacks his friends;^(ae)
     he violates his covenant.^(af)
21 His talk is smooth as butter,^(ag)
     yet war is in his heart;
his words are more soothing than oil,^(ah)
     yet they are drawn swords.^(ai)

²² Cast your cares on the Lord
     and he will sustain you;^(aj)
he will never let
     the righteous be shaken.^(ak)
23 But you, God, will bring down the wicked
     into the pit^(al) of decay;
the bloodthirsty and deceitful^(am)
     will not live out half their days.^(an)

But as for me, I trust in you.^(ao)

³ When I am afraid,^(f) I put my trust in you.^(g)
4       In God, whose word I praise—^(h)
in God I trust and am not afraid.⁽ⁱ⁾
     What can mere mortals do to me?^(j)

⁵ All day long they twist my words;^(k)
     all their schemes are for my ruin.
⁶ They conspire,^(l) they lurk,
     they watch my steps,^(m)
     hoping to take my life.^(n)
7 Because of their wickedness do not^[c] let them escape;^(o)
     in your anger, God, bring the nations down.^(p)

⁸ Record my misery;
     list my tears on your scroll^[d](q)—
     are they not in your record?^(r)
9 Then my enemies will turn back^(s)
     when I call for help.^(t)
     By this I will know that God is for me.^(u)

¹⁰ In God, whose word I praise,
     in the Lord , whose word I praise—
¹¹ in God I trust and am not afraid.
     What can man do to me?

¹² I am under vows^(v) to you, my God;
     I will present my thank offerings to you.
¹³ For you have delivered me from death^(w)
     and my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before God
     in the light of life.^(x)

² I cry out to God Most High,
     to God, who vindicates me.^(f)
3 He sends from heaven and saves me,^(g)
     rebuking those who hotly pursue me—^[c](h)
     God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.⁽ⁱ⁾

⁴ 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)

⁵ Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;
     let your glory be over all the earth.^(l)

⁶ 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)

⁷ My heart, O God, is steadfast,
     my heart is steadfast;^(q)
     I will sing and make music.
⁸ Awake, my soul!
     Awake, harp and lyre!^(r)
     I will awaken the dawn.

⁹ I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
     I will sing of you among the peoples.
¹⁰ For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
     your faithfulness reaches to the skies.^(s)

¹¹ Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;^(t)
     let your glory be over all the earth.^(u)

³ Even from birth the wicked go astray;
     from the womb they are wayward, spreading lies.
⁴ Their venom is like the venom of a snake,^(d)
     like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears,
⁵ that will not heed^(e) the tune of the charmer,^(f)
     however skillful the enchanter may be.

⁶ Break the teeth in their mouths, O God;^(g)
     Lord , tear out the fangs of those lions!^(h)
7 Let them vanish like water that flows away;⁽ⁱ⁾
     when they draw the bow, let their arrows fall short.^(j)
8 May they be like a slug that melts away as it moves along,^(k)
     like a stillborn child^(l) that never sees the sun.

⁹ 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)
10 The righteous will be glad^(o) when they are avenged,^(p)
     when they dip their feet in the blood of the wicked.^(q)
11 Then people will say,
     "Surely the righteous still are rewarded;^(r)
     surely there is a God who judges the earth."^(s)

³ See how they lie in wait for me!
     Fierce men conspire^(f) against me
     for no offense or sin of mine, Lord .
⁴ I have done no wrong,^(g) yet they are ready to attack me.^(h)
     Arise to help me; look on my plight!^(i)
5 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)

⁶ They return at evening,
     snarling like dogs,⁽ⁿ⁾
     and prowl about the city.
⁷ 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)
8 But you laugh at them, Lord ;^(r)
     you scoff at all those nations.^(s)

⁹ You are my strength,^(t) I watch for you;
     you, God, are my fortress,^(u)
10       my God on whom I can rely.

God will go before me
     and will let me gloat over those who slander me.
¹¹ 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)
12 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,
¹³       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)

¹⁴ They return at evening,
     snarling like dogs,
     and prowl about the city.
¹⁵ They wander about for food^(ad)
     and howl if not satisfied.
¹⁶ 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)

¹⁷ You are my strength, I sing praise to you;
     you, God, are my fortress,
     my God on whom I can rely.^(ak)