Study Desk

For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

I waited patiently^(b) for the Lord ; he turned to me and heard my cry.^(c)

He lifted me out of the slimy pit,^(d) out of the mud^(e) and mire;^(f) he set my feet^(g) on a rock^(h) and gave me a firm place to stand.

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

Blessed is the one^(l) who trusts in the Lord ,^(m) who does not look to the proud,⁽ⁿ⁾ to those who turn aside to false gods.^[b](o)

Many, Lord my God, are the wonders^(p) you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare^(q) with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many^(r) to declare.

Sacrifice and offering you did not desire—^(s) but my ears you have opened^[c]—^(t) burnt offerings^(u) and sin offerings^[d] you did not require.

Then I said, "Here I am, I have come— it is written about me in the scroll.^[e](v)

I desire to do your will,^(w) my God;^(x) your law is within my heart."^(y)

I proclaim your saving acts^(z) in the great assembly;^(aa) I do not seal my lips, Lord , as you know.^(ab)

I do not hide your righteousness in my heart; I speak of your faithfulness^(ac) and your saving help. I do not conceal your love and your faithfulness from the great assembly.^(ad)

Do not withhold your mercy^(ae) from me, Lord ; may your love^(af) and faithfulness^(ag) always protect^(ah) me.

For troubles^(ai) without number surround me; my sins have overtaken me, and I cannot see.^(aj) They are more than the hairs of my head,^(ak) and my heart fails^(al) within me.

Be pleased to save me, Lord ; come quickly, Lord , to help me.^(am)

May all who want to take my life^(an) be put to shame and confusion;^(ao) may all who desire my ruin^(ap) be turned back in disgrace.

May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!"^(aq) be appalled at their own shame.

But may all who seek you^(ar) rejoice and be glad^(as) in you; may those who long for your saving help always say, "The Lord is great!"^(at)

But as for me, I am poor and needy;^(au) may the Lord think^(av) of me. You are my help^(aw) and my deliverer;^(ax) you are my God, do not delay.^(ay)

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

Blessed^(a) are those who have regard for the weak;^(b) the Lord delivers them in times of trouble.^(c)

The Lord protects^(d) and preserves them—^(e) they are counted among the blessed in the land—^(f) he does not give them over to the desire of their foes.^(g)

The Lord sustains them on their sickbed^(h) and restores them from their bed of illness.⁽ⁱ⁾

I said, "Have mercy^(j) on me, Lord ; heal^(k) me, for I have sinned^(l) against you."

My enemies say of me in malice, "When will he die and his name perish?^(m)"

When one of them comes to see me, he speaks falsely,⁽ⁿ⁾ while his heart gathers slander;^(o) then he goes out and spreads^(p) it around.

All my enemies whisper together^(q) against me; they imagine the worst for me, saying,

"A vile disease has afflicted him; he will never get up^(r) from the place where he lies."

Even my close friend,^(s) someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned^[b] against me.^(t)

But may you have mercy^(u) on me, Lord ; raise me up,^(v) that I may repay^(w) them.

I know that you are pleased with me,^(x) for my enemy does not triumph over me.^(y)

Because of my integrity^(z) you uphold me^(aa) and set me in your presence forever.^(ab)

Praise^(ac) be to the Lord , the God of Israel,^(ad) from everlasting to everlasting. Amen and Amen.^(ae)

BOOK II

Psalms 42–72

For the director of music. A maskil^[c] of the Sons of Korah.

As the deer^(a) pants for streams of water,^(b) so my soul pants^(c) for you, my God.

My soul thirsts^(d) for God, for the living God.^(e) When can I go^(f) and meet with God?

My tears^(g) have been my food day and night, while people say to me all day long, "Where is your God?"^(h)

These things I remember as I pour out my soul:⁽ⁱ⁾ how I used to go to the house of God^(j) under the protection of the Mighty One^[d] with shouts of joy^(k) and praise^(l) among the festive throng.^(m)

Why, my soul, are you downcast?⁽ⁿ⁾ Why so disturbed^(o) within me? Put your hope in God,^(p) for I will yet praise^(q) him, my Savior^(r) and my God.^(s)

My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember^(t) you from the land of the Jordan,^(u) the heights of Hermon^(v)—from Mount Mizar.

Deep calls to deep^(w) in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.^(x)

By day the Lord directs his love,^(y) at night^(z) his song^(aa) is with me— a prayer to the God of my life.^(ab)

I say to God my Rock,^(ac) "Why have you forgotten^(ad) me? Why must I go about mourning,^(ae) oppressed^(af) by the enemy?"^(ag)

My bones suffer mortal agony^(ah) as my foes taunt^(ai) me, saying to me all day long, "Where is your God?"^(aj)

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.^(ak)