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(By David.)

A Prayer of Praise

You, Lord, are the light
    that keeps me safe.
I am not afraid of anyone.
You protect me,
    and I have no fears.
Brutal people may attack
and try to kill me,
    but they will stumble.
Fierce enemies may attack,
    but they will fall.
Armies may surround me,
    but I won't be afraid;
war may break out,
    but I will trust you.

I ask only one thing, Lord:
Let me live in your house
    every day of my life
to see how wonderful you are
    and to pray in your temple.

In times of trouble, Lord,
    you will protect me.
You will hide me in your tent
and keep me safe
    on top of a mighty rock.[a]
You will let me defeat
    all my enemies.
Then I will celebrate,
    as I enter your tent
with animal sacrifices
    and songs of praise.

Please listen when I pray!
    Have pity. Answer my prayer.
My heart tells me to pray.
I am eager to see your face,
    so don't hide from me.
I am your servant, Lord,
and you have helped me.
    Don't turn from me in anger.
You alone keep me safe.
    Don't reject or desert me.
10 Even if my father and mother
should desert me,
    you will take care of me.

11 Teach me to follow, Lord,
and lead me on the right path
    because of my enemies.
12 Don't let them do to me
    what they want.
People tell lies about me
    and make violent threats,
13 but I know I will live
    to see how kind you are.

14 Trust the Lord!
Be brave and strong
    and trust the Lord.

(By David.)

A Prayer for Help

Only you, Lord,
    are a mighty rock![b]
Don't refuse to help me
    when I pray.
If you don't answer me,
    I will soon be dead.
Please listen to my prayer
    and my cry for help,
as I lift my hands
    toward your holy temple.

Don't drag me away, Lord,
    with those cruel people,
who speak kind words,
    while planning trouble.
(A) Treat them as they deserve!
    Punish them for their sins.
They don't pay any attention
    to your wonderful deeds.
Now you will destroy them
    and leave them in ruin.

I praise you, Lord,
    for answering my prayers.
You are my strong shield,
    and I trust you completely.
You have helped me,
and I will celebrate
    and thank you in song.

You give strength
    to your people, Lord,
and you save and protect
    your chosen ones.
Come save us and bless us.
Be our shepherd and always
    carry us in your arms.

(A psalm by David.)

The Voice of the Lord in a Storm

(B) All you angels[c] in heaven,
honor the glory and power
    of the Lord!
Honor the wonderful name
    of the Lord,
and worship the Lord
    most holy and glorious.[d]

The voice of the Lord
    echoes over the oceans.
The glorious Lord God
thunders above the roar
    of the raging sea,
and his voice is mighty
    and marvelous.
The voice of the Lord
    destroys the cedar trees;
the Lord shatters cedars
    on Mount Lebanon.
God makes Mount Lebanon
    skip like a calf
and Mount Hermon
    jump like a wild ox.

The voice of the Lord
makes lightning flash
    and the desert tremble.
And because of the Lord,
the desert near Kadesh
    shivers and shakes.

The voice of the Lord
makes deer give birth
    before their time.[e]
Forests are stripped of leaves,
and the temple is filled
    with shouts of praise.

10 The Lord rules on his throne,
    king of the flood[f] forever.
11 Pray that our Lord
will make us strong
    and give us peace.

Footnotes

  1. 27.5 mighty rock: See the note at 18.2.
  2. 28.1 mighty rock: See the note at 18.2.
  3. 29.1 angels: Or “supernatural beings” or “gods.”
  4. 29.2 most … glorious: Or “in his holy place” or “and wear your glorious clothes.”
  5. 29.9 makes … time: Or “twists the oak trees around.”
  6. 29.10 king of the flood: In ancient times the people of Israel believed that a mighty ocean surrounded all of creation, and that God could release the water to flood the earth.

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