Study Desk

A Davidic prayer.

Lord , hear a just cause;^(a) pay attention to my cry; listen to my prayer— from lips free of deceit.^(b)

Let my vindication come from You, for You see what is right.^(c)

You have tested my heart;^(d) You have examined me at night. You have tried me and found nothing evil;^(e) I have determined that my mouth will not sin.^[a]

Concerning what people do: by the word of Your lips^[b] I have avoided the ways of the violent.^(f)

My steps are on Your paths; my feet have not slipped.^(g)

I call on You, God, because You will answer me;^(h) listen closely to me; hear what I say.

Display the wonders of Your faithful love,⁽ⁱ⁾ Savior of all who seek refuge^(j) from those who rebel against Your right hand.^[c]

Protect me as the pupil of Your eye;^(k) hide me in the shadow of Your wings^(l)

from^[d] the wicked who treat me violently,^[e] my deadly enemies who surround me.^(m)

They have become hardened;^[f](n) their mouths speak arrogantly.^(o)

They advance against me;^[g] now they surround me.^(p) They are determined^[h] to throw me to the ground.^(q)

They are^[i] like a lion eager to tear, like a young lion lurking in ambush.^(r)

Rise up, Lord ! Confront him; bring him down.^(s) With Your sword, save me from the wicked.^(t)

With Your hand, Lord , save me from men, from men of the world whose portion is in this life: You fill their bellies with what You have in store; their sons are satisfied, and they leave their surplus to their children.^(u)

But I will see Your face in righteousness;^(v) when I awake, I will be satisfied with Your presence.^[j](w)

For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.

The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky^[a] proclaims the work of His hands.^(a)

Day after day they pour out speech; night after night they communicate knowledge.^[b]

There is no speech; there are no words; their voice is not heard.

Their message^[c] has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.^(b) In the heavens^[d] He has pitched a tent for the sun.^(c)

It is like a groom coming from the^[e] bridal chamber; it rejoices like an athlete running a course.

It rises from one end of the heavens and circles^[f] to their other end;^(d) nothing is hidden from its heat.

The instruction of the Lord is perfect, renewing one's life;^(e) the testimony of the Lord is trustworthy, making the inexperienced wise.^(f)

The precepts of the Lord are right, making the heart glad;^(g) the command of the Lord is radiant, making the eyes light up.^(h)

The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever;⁽ⁱ⁾ the ordinances of the Lord are reliable and altogether righteous.^(j)

They are more desirable than gold— than an abundance of pure gold;^(k) and sweeter than honey, which comes from the honeycomb.^(l)

In addition, Your servant is warned by them; there is great reward in keeping them.^(m)

Who perceives his unintentional sins? Cleanse me from my hidden faults.⁽ⁿ⁾

Moreover, keep Your servant from willful sins;^(o) do not let them rule over me.^(p) Then I will be innocent and cleansed from blatant rebellion.^(q)

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to You,^(r) Lord , my rock and my Redeemer.^(s)