Study Desk

For the director of music. According to sheminith.^[b] A psalm of David.

Help, Lord , for no one is faithful anymore;^(a) those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.

Everyone lies^(b) to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts.^(c)

May the Lord silence all flattering lips^(d) and every boastful tongue—^(e)

those who say, "By our tongues we will prevail;^(f) our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?"

"Because the poor are plundered^(g) and the needy groan,^(h) I will now arise,⁽ⁱ⁾" says the Lord . "I will protect them^(j) from those who malign them."

And the words of the Lord are flawless,^(k) like silver purified^(l) in a crucible,^(m) like gold^[c] refined seven times.

You, Lord , will keep the needy safe⁽ⁿ⁾ and will protect us forever from the wicked,^(o)

who freely strut^(p) about when what is vile is honored by the human race.

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

How long,^(a) Lord ? Will you forget me^(b) forever? How long will you hide your face^(c) from me?

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts^(d) and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?^(e)

Look on me^(f) and answer,^(g) Lord my God. Give light to my eyes,^(h) or I will sleep in death,⁽ⁱ⁾

and my enemy will say, "I have overcome him,^(j)" and my foes will rejoice when I fall.^(k)

But I trust in your unfailing love;^(l) my heart rejoices in your salvation.^(m)

I will sing⁽ⁿ⁾ the Lord 's praise, for he has been good to me.

For the director of music. Of David.

The fool^[a] says in his heart, "There is no God."^(b) They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.

The Lord looks down from heaven^(c) on all mankind to see if there are any who understand,^(d) any who seek God.^(e)

All have turned away,^(f) all have become corrupt;^(g) there is no one who does good,^(h) not even one.⁽ⁱ⁾

Do all these evildoers know nothing?^(j) They devour my people^(k) as though eating bread; they never call on the Lord .^(l)

But there they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous.

You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge.^(m)

Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion!⁽ⁿ⁾ When the Lord restores^(o) his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!