Study Desk

For the director of music. A maskil^[b] of David. When Doeg the Edomite^(a) had gone to Saul and told him: "David has gone to the house of Ahimelek."

Why do you boast of evil, you mighty hero? Why do you boast^(b) all day long,^(c) you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God?

You who practice deceit,^(d) your tongue plots destruction;^(e) it is like a sharpened razor.^(f)

You love evil^(g) rather than good, falsehood^(h) rather than speaking the truth.^[c]

You love every harmful word, you deceitful tongue!⁽ⁱ⁾

Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin: He will snatch you up and pluck^(j) you from your tent; he will uproot^(k) you from the land of the living.^(l)

The righteous will see and fear; they will laugh^(m) at you, saying,

"Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold⁽ⁿ⁾ but trusted in his great wealth^(o) and grew strong by destroying others!"

But I am like an olive tree^(p) flourishing in the house of God; I trust^(q) in God's unfailing love for ever and ever.

For what you have done I will always praise you^(r) in the presence of your faithful people.^(s) And I will hope in your name,^(t) for your name is good.^(u)

For the director of music. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." Of David. A miktam.^[b] When he had fled from Saul into the cave.^(b)

Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge.^(c) I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings^(d) until the disaster has passed.^(e)

I cry out to God Most High, to God, who vindicates me.^(f)

He sends from heaven and saves me,^(g) rebuking those who hotly pursue me—^[c](h) God sends forth his love and his faithfulness.⁽ⁱ⁾

I am in the midst of lions;^(j) I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts— men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.^(k)

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.^(l)

They spread a net for my feet^(m)— I was bowed down⁽ⁿ⁾ in distress. They dug a pit^(o) in my path— but they have fallen into it themselves.^(p)

My heart, O God, is steadfast, my heart is steadfast;^(q) I will sing and make music.

Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre!^(r) I will awaken the dawn.

I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.

For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.^(s)

Be exalted, O God, above the heavens;^(t) let your glory be over all the earth.^(u)

A maskil^[b] of David. When he was in the cave.^(a) A prayer.

I cry aloud^(b) to the Lord ; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy.^(c)

I pour out before him my complaint;^(d) before him I tell my trouble.^(e)

When my spirit grows faint^(f) within me, it is you who watch over my way. In the path where I walk people have hidden a snare for me.

Look and see, there is no one at my right hand; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge;^(g) no one cares^(h) for my life.

I cry to you, Lord ; I say, "You are my refuge,⁽ⁱ⁾ my portion^(j) in the land of the living."^(k)

Listen to my cry,^(l) for I am in desperate need;^(m) rescue me⁽ⁿ⁾ from those who pursue me, for they are too strong^(o) for me.

Set me free from my prison,^(p) that I may praise your name.^(q) Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me.^(r)