Study Desk

Hear my prayer, Lord , and listen to my cry; come to my aid when I weep. Like all my ancestors I am only your guest for a little while.

I waited patiently for the Lord 's help; then he listened to me and heard my cry.

You have done many things for us, O Lord our God; there is no one like you! You have made many wonderful plans for us. I could never speak of them all— their number is so great!

You do not want sacrifices and offerings; you do not ask for animals burned whole on the altar or for sacrifices to take away sins. Instead, you have given me ears to hear you,

and so I answered, "Here I am; your instructions for me are in the book of the Law.

May all who come to you be glad and joyful. May all who are thankful for your salvation always say, "How great is the Lord !"

Happy are those who are concerned for the poor; the Lord will help them when they are in trouble.

As a deer longs for a stream of cool water, so I long for you, O God.

I thirst for you, the living God. When can I go and worship in your presence?

You made us run from our enemies, and they took for themselves what was ours.

You sold your own people for a small price as though they had little value.

Beautiful words fill my mind, as I compose this song for the king. Like the pen of a good writer my tongue is ready with a poem.

Ride on in majesty to victory for the defense of truth and justice! Your strength will win you great victories!

My song will keep your fame alive forever, and everyone will praise you for all time to come.

Clap your hands for joy, all peoples! Praise God with loud songs!

He chose for us the land where we live, the proud possession of his people, whom he loves.

"This God is our God forever and ever; he will lead us for all time to come."

We can never redeem ourselves; we cannot pay God the price for our lives,

because the payment for a human life is too great. What we could pay would never be enough

Their graves are their homes forever; there they stay for all time, though they once had lands of their own.