Today's prayer: May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue

Psalm 12

1

Psalm 12 For the director of music. According to sheminith. [1] A psalm of David.

1

Help, LORD, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men.

2

Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception.

3

May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue

4

that says, "We will triumph with our tongues; we own our lips [2] --who is our master?"

5

"Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise," says the LORD. "I will protect them from those who malign them."

6

And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.

7

O LORD, you will keep us safe and protect us from such people forever.

8

The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.

Today's bible teaching: Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

Psalm 10

1

Psalm 10 [1]

1

Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

2

In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises.

3

He boasts of the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.

4

In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.

5

His ways are always prosperous; he is haughty and your laws are far from him; he sneers at all his enemies.

6

He says to himself, "Nothing will shake me; I'll always be happy and never have trouble."

7

His mouth is full of curses and lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue.

8

He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent, watching in secret for his victims.

9

He lies in wait like a lion in cover; he lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.

10

His victims are crushed, they collapse; they fall under his strength.

11

He says to himself, "God has forgotten; he covers his face and never sees."

12

Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.

13

Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, "He won't call me to account"?

14

But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.

15

Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out.

16

The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land.

17

You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,

18

defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.

Psalms 9 and 10 may have been originally a single acrostic poem, the stanzas of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. In the Septuagint they constitute one psalm.

Today's bible teaching: But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.

Psalm 13

1

Psalm 13 For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1

How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?

2

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?

3

Look on me and answer, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;

4

my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

5

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.

6

I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.

Today's bible teaching: The voice of the LORD shakes the desert; the LORD shakes the Desert of Kadesh

Psalm 29

1

Psalm 29 A psalm of David.

1

Ascribe to the LORD, O mighty ones, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

2

Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his [1] holiness.

3

The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.

4

The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.

5

The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.

6

He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, Sirion [2] like a young wild ox.

7

The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lightning.

8

The voice of the LORD shakes the desert; the LORD shakes the Desert of Kadesh.

9

The voice of the LORD twists the oaks [3] and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, "Glory!"

10

The LORD sits [4] enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever.

11

The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

Today's prayer: Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing

Psalm 5

1

Psalm 5 For the director of music. For flutes. A psalm of David.

1

Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing.

2

Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.

3

In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

4

You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell.

5

The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong.

6

You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors.

7

But I, by your great mercy, will come into your house; in reverence will I bow down toward your holy temple.

8

Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies-- make straight your way before me.

9

Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with destruction. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongue they speak deceit.

10

Declare them guilty, O God! Let their intrigues be their downfall. Banish them for their many sins, for they have rebelled against you.

11

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

12

For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

Today's bible teaching: Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults

Psalm 19

1

Psalm 19 For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

2

Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.

3

There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. [1]

4

Their voice [2] goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,

5

which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

6

It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.

7

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

8

The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

9

The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.

10

They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.

11

By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

12

Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.

13

Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

14

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

Today's prayer: Save me, O God, by your name; vindicate me by your might

Psalm 54

1

Psalm 54 For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil [1] of David. When the Ziphites had gone to Saul and said, "Is not David hiding among us?"

1

Save me, O God, by your name; vindicate me by your might.

2

Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth.

3

Strangers are attacking me; ruthless men seek my life-- men without regard for God. Selah

4

Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.

5

Let evil recoil on those who slander me; in your faithfulness destroy them.

6

I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, O LORD, for it is good.

7

For he has delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.

Today's bible teaching: Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

Psalm 10

1

Psalm 10 [1]

1

Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

2

In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises.

3

He boasts of the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.

4

In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.

5

His ways are always prosperous; he is haughty and your laws are far from him; he sneers at all his enemies.

6

He says to himself, "Nothing will shake me; I'll always be happy and never have trouble."

7

His mouth is full of curses and lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue.

8

He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent, watching in secret for his victims.

9

He lies in wait like a lion in cover; he lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.

10

His victims are crushed, they collapse; they fall under his strength.

11

He says to himself, "God has forgotten; he covers his face and never sees."

12

Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.

13

Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, "He won't call me to account"?

14

But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.

15

Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out.

16

The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land.

17

You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,

18

defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.

Today's praises: Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

Psalm 100

1

Psalm 100 A psalm. For giving thanks.

1

Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.

2

Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.

3

Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his [1] ; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.

4

Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.

5

For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

Today's praises: Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.

Psalm 117

1

Psalm 117

1

Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.

2

For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD.

Today's bible teaching: Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

Psalm 73

1

Psalm 73 A psalm of Asaph.

1

Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

2

But as for me, my feet had almost slipped; I had nearly lost my foothold.

3

For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

4

They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. [1]

5

They are free from the burdens common to man; they are not plagued by human ills.

6

Therefore pride is their necklace; they clothe themselves with violence.

7

From their callous hearts comes iniquity [2] ; the evil conceits of their minds know no limits.

8

They scoff, and speak with malice; in their arrogance they threaten oppression.

9

Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.

10

Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance. [3]

11

They say, "How can God know? Does the Most High have knowledge?"

12

This is what the wicked are like-- always carefree, they increase in wealth.

13

Surely in vain have I kept my heart pure; in vain have I washed my hands in innocence.

14

All day long I have been plagued; I have been punished every morning.

15

If I had said, "I will speak thus," I would have betrayed your children.

16

When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me

17

till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny.

18

Surely you place them on slippery ground; you cast them down to ruin.

19

How suddenly are they destroyed, completely swept away by terrors!

20

As a dream when one awakes, so when you arise, O Lord, you will despise them as fantasies.

21

When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered,

22

I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you.

23

Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand.

24

You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory.

25

Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you.

26

My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

27

Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you.

28

But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.

Today's praises: Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD

Psalm 134

1

Psalm 134 A song of ascents.

1

Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD.

2

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD.

3

May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.

Today's bible teaching: Make vows to the LORD your God and fulfill them; let all the neighboring lands bring gifts to the One to be feared.

Psalm 76

1

Psalm 76 For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of Asaph. A song.

1

In Judah God is known; his name is great in Israel.

2

His tent is in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion.

3

There he broke the flashing arrows, the shields and the swords, the weapons of war. Selah

4

You are resplendent with light, more majestic than mountains rich with game.

5

Valiant men lie plundered, they sleep their last sleep; not one of the warriors can lift his hands.

6

At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, both horse and chariot lie still.

7

You alone are to be feared. Who can stand before you when you are angry?

8

From heaven you pronounced judgment, and the land feared and was quiet--

9

when you, O God, rose up to judge, to save all the afflicted of the land. Selah

10

Surely your wrath against men brings you praise, and the survivors of your wrath are restrained. [1]

11

Make vows to the LORD your God and fulfill them; let all the neighboring lands bring gifts to the One to be feared.

12

He breaks the spirit of rulers; he is feared by the kings of the earth.

Today's bible teaching: The grasslands of the desert overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness

Psalm 65

1

Psalm 65 For the director of music. A psalm of David. A song.

1

Praise awaits [1] you, O God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled.

2

O you who hear prayer, to you all men will come.

3

When we were overwhelmed by sins, you forgave [2] our transgressions.

4

Blessed are those you choose and bring near to live in your courts! We are filled with the good things of your house, of your holy temple.

5

You answer us with awesome deeds of righteousness, O God our Savior, the hope of all the ends of the earth and of the farthest seas,

6

who formed the mountains by your power, having armed yourself with strength,

7

who stilled the roaring of the seas, the roaring of their waves, and the turmoil of the nations.

8

Those living far away fear your wonders; where morning dawns and evening fades you call forth songs of joy.

9

You care for the land and water it; you enrich it abundantly. The streams of God are filled with water to provide the people with grain, for so you have ordained it. [3]

10

You drench its furrows and level its ridges; you soften it with showers and bless its crops.

11

You crown the year with your bounty, and your carts overflow with abundance.

12

The grasslands of the desert overflow; the hills are clothed with gladness.

13

The meadows are covered with flocks and the valleys are mantled with grain; they shout for joy and sing.

Today's praises: O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth

Psalm 8

1

Psalm 8 For the director of music. According to gittith. [1] A psalm of David.

1

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.

2

From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise [2] because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.

3

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

4

what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

5

You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings [3] and crowned him with glory and honor.

6

You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet:

7

all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field,

8

the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.

9

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Today's praises: Praise the Lord

Psalm 149

1

Psalm 149

1

Praise the LORD. [1] Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise in the assembly of the saints.

2

Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their King.

3

Let them praise his name with dancing and make music to him with tambourine and harp.

4

For the LORD takes delight in his people; he crowns the humble with salvation.

5

Let the saints rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds.

6

May the praise of God be in their mouths and a double-edged sword in their hands,

7

to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples,

8

to bind their kings with fetters, their nobles with shackles of iron,

9

to carry out the sentence written against them. This is the glory of all his saints. Praise the LORD.

Today's prayer: May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.

Psalm 20

1

Psalm 20 For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1

May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.

2

May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.

3

May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. Selah

4

May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

5

We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests.

6

Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand.

7

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

8

They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.

9

O LORD, save the king! Answer ^[1] us when we call!

Today's praises: I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.

Psalm 13

1

Psalm 13 For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1

How long, O LORD? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?

2

How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and every day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me?

3

Look on me and answer, O LORD my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death;

4

my enemy will say, "I have overcome him," and my foes will rejoice when I fall.

5

But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation.

6

I will sing to the LORD, for he has been good to me.

Today's bible teaching: Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle

Psalm 24

1

Psalm 24 Of David. A psalm.

1

The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it;

2

for he founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.

3

Who may ascend the hill of the LORD? Who may stand in his holy place?

4

He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. [1]

5

He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior.

6

Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, O God of Jacob. [2] Selah

7

Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

8

Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle.

9

Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.

10

Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty-- he is the King of glory. Selah

Today's bible teaching: Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him; let all the upright in heart praise him!

Psalm 64

1

Psalm 64 For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1

Hear me, O God, as I voice my complaint; protect my life from the threat of the enemy.

2

Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from that noisy crowd of evildoers.

3

They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their words like deadly arrows.

4

They shoot from ambush at the innocent man; they shoot at him suddenly, without fear.

5

They encourage each other in evil plans, they talk about hiding their snares; they say, "Who will see them [1] ?"

6

They plot injustice and say, "We have devised a perfect plan!" Surely the mind and heart of man are cunning.

7

But God will shoot them with arrows; suddenly they will be struck down.

8

He will turn their own tongues against them and bring them to ruin; all who see them will shake their heads in scorn.

9

All mankind will fear; they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what he has done.

10

Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him; let all the upright in heart praise him!

Today's bible teaching: But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and everp

Psalm 52

1

Psalm 52 For the director of music. A maskil [1] of David. When Doeg the Edomite had gone to Saul and told him: "David has gone to the house of Ahimelech."

1

Why do you boast of evil, you mighty man? Why do you boast all day long, you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God?

2

Your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor, you who practice deceit.

3

You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth. Selah

4

You love every harmful word, O you deceitful tongue!

5

Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin: He will snatch you up and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah

6

The righteous will see and fear; they will laugh at him, saying,

7

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

8

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

9

I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints.

Today's praises: Praise the LORD

Psalm 150

1

Psalm 150

1

Praise the LORD. ^[1] Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.

2

Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.

3

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,

4

praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute,

5

praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.

6

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD.

Today's prayer: Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue

Psalm 120 

1.In my distress I cried unto the Lord, and he heard me.

2 Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.

3 What shall be given unto thee? or what shall be done unto thee, thou false tongue?

4 Sharp arrows of the mighty, with coals of juniper.

5 Woe is me, that I sojourn in Mesech, that I dwell in the tents of Kedar!

6 My soul hath long dwelt with him that hateth peace.

7 I am for peace: but when I speak, they are for war.

Today's bible teaching: The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

Psalm 111

1

Psalm 111 ^[1]

1

Praise the LORD. ^[2] I will extol the LORD with all my heart in the council of the upright and in the assembly.

2

Great are the works of the LORD; they are pondered by all who delight in them.

3

Glorious and majestic are his deeds, and his righteousness endures forever.

4

He has caused his wonders to be remembered; the LORD is gracious and compassionate.

5

He provides food for those who fear him; he remembers his covenant forever.

6

He has shown his people the power of his works, giving them the lands of other nations.

7

The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy.

8

They are steadfast for ever and ever, done in faithfulness and uprightness.

9

He provided redemption for his people; he ordained his covenant forever-- holy and awesome is his name.

10

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise.

Today's praises: May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion

Psalm 134

1

Psalm 134 A song of ascents.

1

Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD.

2

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD.

3

May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.

Today's bible teaching: The LORD hears the needy and does not despise his captive people

Psalm 69

1

Psalm 69 For the director of music. To [the tune of] "Lilies." Of David.

1

Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck.

2

I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me.

3

I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.

4

Those who hate me without reason outnumber the hairs of my head; many are my enemies without cause, those who seek to destroy me. I am forced to restore what I did not steal.

5

You know my folly, O God; my guilt is not hidden from you.

6

May those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me, O Lord, the LORD Almighty; may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me, O God of Israel.

7

For I endure scorn for your sake, and shame covers my face.

8

I am a stranger to my brothers, an alien to my own mother's sons;

9

for zeal for your house consumes me, and the insults of those who insult you fall on me.

10

When I weep and fast, I must endure scorn;

11

when I put on sackcloth, people make sport of me.

12

Those who sit at the gate mock me, and I am the song of the drunkards.

13

But I pray to you, O LORD, in the time of your favor; in your great love, O God, answer me with your sure salvation.

14

Rescue me from the mire, do not let me sink; deliver me from those who hate me, from the deep waters.

15

Do not let the floodwaters engulf me or the depths swallow me up or the pit close its mouth over me.

16

Answer me, O LORD, out of the goodness of your love; in your great mercy turn to me.

17

Do not hide your face from your servant; answer me quickly, for I am in trouble.

18

Come near and rescue me; redeem me because of my foes.

19

You know how I am scorned, disgraced and shamed; all my enemies are before you.

20

Scorn has broken my heart and has left me helpless; I looked for sympathy, but there was none, for comforters, but I found none.

21

They put gall in my food and gave me vinegar for my thirst.

22

May the table set before them become a snare; may it become retribution and ^[1] a trap.

23

May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever.

24

Pour out your wrath on them; let your fierce anger overtake them.

25

May their place be deserted; let there be no one to dwell in their tents.

26

For they persecute those you wound and talk about the pain of those you hurt.

27

Charge them with crime upon crime; do not let them share in your salvation.

28

May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous.

29

I am in pain and distress; may your salvation, O God, protect me.

30

I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving.

31

This will please the LORD more than an ox, more than a bull with its horns and hoofs.

32

The poor will see and be glad-- you who seek God, may your hearts live!

33

The LORD hears the needy and does not despise his captive people.

34

Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and all that move in them,

35

for God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah. Then people will settle there and possess it;

36

the children of his servants will inherit it, and those who love his name will dwell there.

Today's prayer: O LORD my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me

Psalm 7

1

Psalm 7 A shiggaion ^[1] of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning Cush, a Benjamite.

1

O LORD my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me,

2

or they will tear me like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.

3

O LORD my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands--

4

if I have done evil to him who is at peace with me or without cause have robbed my foe--

5

then let my enemy pursue and overtake me; let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust. Selah

6

Arise, O LORD, in your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies. Awake, my God; decree justice.

7

Let the assembled peoples gather around you. Rule over them from on high;

8

let the LORD judge the peoples. Judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High.

9

O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure.

10

My shield ^[2] is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart.

11

God is a righteous judge, a God who expresses his wrath every day.

12

If he does not relent, he ^[3] will sharpen his sword; he will bend and string his bow.

13

He has prepared his deadly weapons; he makes ready his flaming arrows.

14

He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment.

15

He who digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit he has made.

16

The trouble he causes recoils on himself; his violence comes down on his own head.

17

I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.