Study Desk

A Davidic psalm.

Lord , I call on You; hurry to help me. Listen to my voice when I call on You.^(a)

May my prayer be set before You as incense,^(b) the raising of my hands as the evening offering.^(c)

Lord , set up a guard for my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips.^(d)

Do not let my heart turn to any evil thing or perform wicked acts with men who commit sin. Do not let me feast on their delicacies.^(e)

Let the righteous one strike me— it is an act of faithful love; let him rebuke me— it is oil for my head; let me^[a] not refuse it.^(f) Even now my prayer is against the evil acts of the wicked.^[b](g)

When their rulers^[c] will be thrown off the sides of a cliff, the people^[d] will listen to my words, for they are pleasing.^(h)

As when one plows and breaks up the soil, turning up rocks, so our^[e] bones have been scattered at the mouth of Sheol.⁽ⁱ⁾

But my eyes look to You, Lord God . I seek refuge in You; do not let me die.^[f](j)

Protect me from^[g] the trap they have set for me, and from the snares of evildoers.^(k)

Let the wicked fall into their own nets, while I pass by safely.^(l)

A Davidic Maskil. When he was in the cave.^(a) A prayer.

I cry aloud to the Lord ;^(b) I plead aloud to the Lord for mercy.^(c)

I pour out my complaint before Him; I reveal my trouble to Him.^(d)

Although my spirit is weak within me, You know my way.^(e) Along this path I travel they have hidden a trap for me.^(f)

Look to the right and see:^[a] no one stands up for me; there is no refuge for me; no one cares about me.^(g)

I cry to You, Lord ; I say, "You are my shelter, my portion in the land of the living."^(h)

Listen to my cry, for I am very weak.⁽ⁱ⁾ Rescue me from those who pursue me, for they are too strong for me.^(j)

Free me from prison so that I can praise Your name. The righteous will gather around me because You deal generously with me.^(k)