Psalm 28-29

Contemporary English Version

(By David.)

A Prayer for Help

¹Only you, Lord,
    are a mighty rock!^[a]
Don't refuse to help me
    when I pray.
If you don't answer me,
    I will soon be dead.
²Please listen to my prayer
    and my cry for help,
as I lift my hands
    toward your holy temple.

³Don't drag me away, Lord,
    with those cruel people,
who speak kind words,
    while planning trouble.
⁴^(A) Treat them as they deserve!
    Punish them for their sins.
⁵They don't pay any attention
    to your wonderful deeds.
Now you will destroy them
    and leave them in ruin.

⁶I praise you, Lord,
    for answering my prayers.
⁷You are my strong shield,
    and I trust you completely.
You have helped me,
and I will celebrate
    and thank you in song.

⁸You give strength
    to your people, Lord,
and you save and protect
    your chosen ones.
⁹Come 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

¹^(B) All you angels^[b] in heaven,
honor the glory and power
    of the Lord!
²Honor the wonderful name
    of the Lord,
and worship the Lord
    most holy and glorious.^[c]

³The voice of the Lord
    echoes over the oceans.
The glorious Lord God
thunders above the roar
    of the raging sea,
⁴and his voice is mighty
    and marvelous.
⁵The voice of the Lord
    destroys the cedar trees;
the Lord shatters cedars
    on Mount Lebanon.
⁶God makes Mount Lebanon
    skip like a calf
and Mount Hermon
    jump like a wild ox.

⁷The voice of the Lord
makes lightning flash
⁸ and the desert tremble.
And because of the Lord,
the desert near Kadesh
shivers and shakes.

⁹The voice of the Lord
makes deer give birth
before their time.^[d]
Forests are stripped of leaves,
and the temple is filled
with shouts of praise.

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

Footnotes

28.1 mighty rock: See the note at 18.2.
29.1 angels: Or “supernatural beings” or “gods.”
29.2 most … glorious: Or “in his holy place” or “and wear your glorious clothes.”
29.9 makes … time: Or “twists the oak trees around.”
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.