Study Desk

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)

For the director of music. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." Of David. A miktam.^[b]

Do you rulers indeed speak justly?^(a) Do you judge people with equity?

No, in your heart you devise injustice,^(b) and your hands mete out violence on the earth.^(c)

Even from birth the wicked go astray; from the womb they are wayward, spreading lies.

Their venom is like the venom of a snake,^(d) like that of a cobra that has stopped its ears,

that will not heed^(e) the tune of the charmer,^(f) however skillful the enchanter may be.

Break the teeth in their mouths, O God;^(g) Lord , tear out the fangs of those lions!^(h)

Let them vanish like water that flows away;⁽ⁱ⁾ when they draw the bow, let their arrows fall short.^(j)

May they be like a slug that melts away as it moves along,^(k) like a stillborn child^(l) that never sees the sun.

Before your pots can feel the heat of the thorns^(m)— whether they be green or dry—the wicked will be swept away.^[c](n)

The righteous will be glad^(o) when they are avenged,^(p) when they dip their feet in the blood of the wicked.^(q)

Then people will say, "Surely the righteous still are rewarded;^(r) surely there is a God who judges the earth."^(s)

For the director of music. To the tune of "Do Not Destroy." Of David. A miktam.^[b] When Saul had sent men to watch David's house^(a) in order to kill him.

Deliver me from my enemies, O God;^(b) be my fortress against those who are attacking me.^(c)

Deliver me from evildoers^(d) and save me from those who are after my blood.^(e)

See how they lie in wait for me! Fierce men conspire^(f) against me for no offense or sin of mine, Lord .

I have done no wrong,^(g) yet they are ready to attack me.^(h) Arise to help me; look on my plight!⁽ⁱ⁾

You, Lord God Almighty, you who are the God of Israel,^(j) rouse yourself^(k) to punish all the nations;^(l) show no mercy to wicked traitors.^[c](m)

They return at evening, snarling like dogs,⁽ⁿ⁾ and prowl about the city.

See what they spew from their mouths^(o)— the words from their lips are sharp as swords,^(p) and they think, "Who can hear us?"^(q)

But you laugh at them, Lord ;^(r) you scoff at all those nations.^(s)

You are my strength,^(t) I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress,^(u)

my God on whom I can rely. God will go before me and will let me gloat over those who slander me.

But do not kill them, Lord our shield,^[d](v) or my people will forget.^(w) In your might uproot them and bring them down.^(x)

For the sins of their mouths,^(y) for the words of their lips,^(z) let them be caught in their pride.^(aa) For the curses and lies they utter,

consume them in your wrath, consume them till they are no more.^(ab) Then it will be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob.^(ac)

They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city.

They wander about for food^(ad) and howl if not satisfied.

But I will sing^(ae) of your strength,^(af) in the morning^(ag) I will sing of your love;^(ah) for you are my fortress,^(ai) my refuge in times of trouble.^(aj)

You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.^(ak)