Study Desk

For the choir director, for Jeduthun. A Davidic psalm.

I said, "I will guard my ways so that I may not sin with my tongue; I will guard my mouth with a muzzle as long as the wicked are in my presence."^(a)

I was speechless and quiet; I kept silent, even from speaking good, and my pain intensified.^(b)

My heart grew hot within me; as I mused, a fire burned.^(c) I spoke with my tongue:

" Lord , reveal to me the end of my life and the number of my days. Let me know how short-lived I am.^(d)

You, indeed, have made my days short in length, and my life span as nothing in Your sight. Yes, every mortal man is only a vapor.^(e) Selah

"Certainly, man walks about like a mere shadow. Indeed, they frantically rush around in vain, gathering possessions without knowing who will get them.^(f)

Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in You.^(g)

Deliver me from all my transgressions; do not make me the taunt of fools.^(h)

I am speechless; I do not open my mouth because of what You have done.⁽ⁱ⁾

Remove Your torment from me; I fade away because of the force of Your hand.^(j)

You discipline a man with punishment for sin, consuming like a moth what is precious to him;^(k) every man is only a vapor.^(l) Selah

"Hear my prayer, Lord , and listen to my cry for help; do not be silent at my tears.^(m) For I am a foreigner residing with You, a temporary resident like all my fathers.⁽ⁿ⁾

Turn Your angry gaze from me so that I may be cheered up before I die and am gone."^(o)

For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.

I waited patiently for the Lord , and He turned to me and heard my cry for help.^(a)

He brought me up from a desolate^[a] pit, out of the muddy clay,^(b) and set my feet on a rock, making my steps secure.^(c)

He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God.^(d) Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord .^(e)

How happy is the man who has put his trust in the Lord and has not turned to the proud or to those who run after lies!^(f)

Lord my God, You have done many things— Your wonderful works and Your plans for us; none can compare with You. If I were to report and speak of them, they are more than can be told.^(g)

You do not delight in sacrifice and offering; You open my ears to listen.^[b] You do not ask for a whole burnt offering or a sin offering.^(h)

Then I said, "See, I have come; it is written about me in the volume of the scroll.⁽ⁱ⁾

I delight to do Your will, my God;^(j) Your instruction lives within me."^[c](k)

I proclaim righteousness in the great assembly; see, I do not keep my mouth closed^[d]— as You know, Lord .^(l)

I did not hide Your righteousness in my heart; I spoke about Your faithfulness and salvation; I did not conceal Your constant love and truth from the great assembly.^(m)

Lord , do not withhold Your compassion from me; Your constant love and truth will always guard me.⁽ⁿ⁾

For troubles without number have surrounded me; my sins have overtaken me; I am unable to see. They are more than the hairs of my head, and my courage leaves me.^(o)

Lord , be pleased to deliver me; hurry to help me, Lord .^(p)

Let those who seek to take my life be disgraced and confounded. Let those who wish me harm be driven back and humiliated.^(q)

Let those who say to me, "Aha, aha!" be horrified because of their shame.^(r)

Let all who seek You rejoice and be glad in You; let those who love Your salvation continually say, "The Lord is great!"^(s)

I am afflicted and needy; the Lord thinks of me. You are my helper and my deliverer; my God, do not delay.^(t)

For the choir director. A Davidic psalm.

Happy is one who cares for the poor; the Lord will save him in a day of adversity.^(a)

The Lord will keep him and preserve him; he will be blessed in the land.^(b) You will not give him over to the desire of his enemies.^(c)

The Lord will sustain him on his sickbed; You will heal him on the bed where he lies.^(d)

I said, " Lord , be gracious to me; heal me, for I have sinned against You."^(e)

My enemies speak maliciously about me: "When will he die and be forgotten?"^(f)

When one of them comes to visit, he speaks deceitfully; he stores up evil in his heart; he goes out and talks.^(g)

All who hate me whisper together about me; they plan to harm me.^(h)

"Lethal poison has been poured into him, and he won't rise again from where he lies!"⁽ⁱ⁾

Even my friend^[a] in whom I trusted, one who ate my bread, has raised his heel against me.^(j)

But You, Lord , be gracious to me and raise me up; then I will repay them.^(k)

By this I know that You delight in me:^(l) my enemy does not shout in triumph over me.^(m)

You supported me because of my integrity⁽ⁿ⁾ and set me in Your presence forever.^(o)

May Yahweh, the God of Israel, be praised from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and amen.^(p)