Study Desk

For the choir director: with stringed instruments. A Davidic Maskil.

God, listen to my prayer and do not ignore^[a] my plea for help.^(a)

Pay attention to me and answer me.^(b) I am restless and in turmoil with my complaint,^(c)

because of the enemy's voice, because of the pressure^[b] of the wicked. For they bring down disaster on me^[c] and harass me in anger.^(d)

My heart shudders within me;^(e) terrors of death sweep over me.

Fear and trembling grip me; horror has overwhelmed me.^(f)

I said, "If only I had^[d] wings like a dove! I would fly away and find rest.^(g)

How far away I would flee; I would stay in the wilderness.^(h) Selah

I would hurry to my shelter from the raging wind and the storm."⁽ⁱ⁾

Lord, confuse^[e] and confound their speech,^[f](j) for I see violence and strife in the city;

day and night they make the rounds on its walls. Crime and trouble are within it;^(k)

destruction is inside it; oppression and deceit never leave its marketplace.^(l)

Now it is not an enemy who insults me— otherwise I could bear it; it is not a foe who rises up against me— otherwise I could hide from him.

But it is you, a man who is my peer, my companion and good friend!^(m)

We used to have close fellowship; we walked with the crowd into the house of God.⁽ⁿ⁾

Let death take them by surprise;^(o) let them go down to Sheol alive, because evil is in their homes and within them.^(p)

But I call to God, and the Lord will save me.^(q)

I complain and groan morning, noon, and night,^(r) and He hears my voice.^(s)

Though many are against me, He will redeem me from my battle unharmed.^(t)

God, the One enthroned from long ago,^(u) will hear and will humiliate them Selah because they do not change and do not fear God.^(v)

My friend^(w) acts violently against those at peace with him;^(x) he violates his covenant.^(y)

His buttery words are smooth,^[g] but war is in his heart. His words are softer than oil, but they are drawn swords.^(z)

Cast your burden on the Lord , and He will sustain you;^(aa) He will never allow the righteous to be shaken.^(ab)

God, You will bring them down to the Pit of destruction;^(ac) men of bloodshed and treachery will not live out half their days.^(ad) But I will trust in You.^(ae)

For the choir director: according to "A Silent Dove Far Away."^[a] A Davidic Miktam. When the Philistines seized him in Gath.^(a)

Be gracious to me, God, for man tramples me; he fights and oppresses me all day long.

My adversaries trample me all day, for many arrogantly fight against me.^[b](b)

When I am afraid, I will trust in You.^(c)

In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not fear. What can man do to me?^(d)

They twist my words all day long; all their thoughts against me are evil.^(e)

They stir up strife,^[c] they lurk; they watch my steps while they wait to take my life.^(f)

Will they escape in spite of such sin? God, bring down the nations in wrath.^(g)

You Yourself have recorded my wanderings.^[d] Put my tears in Your bottle. Are they not in Your records?^(h)

Then my enemies will retreat on the day when I call.⁽ⁱ⁾ This I know: God is for me.^(j)

In God, whose word I praise, in the Lord , whose word I praise,

in God I trust; I will not fear. What can man do to me?^(k)

I am obligated by vows^[e] to You, God; I will make my thank offerings to You.^(l)

For You delivered me from death, even my feet from stumbling, to walk before God in the light of life.^(m)

For the choir director: "Do Not Destroy."^[a] A Davidic Miktam. When he fled before Saul into the cave.^(a)

Be gracious to me, God, be gracious to me, for I take refuge in You. I will seek refuge in the shadow of Your wings until danger passes.^(b)

I call to God Most High, to God who fulfills His purpose for me.^[b](c)

He reaches down from heaven and saves me, challenging the one who tramples me.^(d) Selah God sends His faithful love and truth.^(e)