Add parallel Print Page Options

To the director: A song of David.

41 Those who help the poor succeed will get many blessings.[a]
    When trouble comes, the Lord will save them.
The Lord will protect them and save their lives.
    He will bless them in this land.
    He will not let their enemies harm them.
When they are sick in bed,
    the Lord will give them strength and make them well!

I say, “Lord, be kind to me.
    I sinned against you, but forgive me and make me well.”
My enemies say bad things about me.
    They ask, “When will he die and be forgotten?”
If they come to see me,
    they don’t say what they are really thinking.
They come to gather a little gossip
    and then go to spread their rumors.
Those who hate me whisper about me.
    They think the worst about me.
They say, “He did something wrong.
    That is why he is sick.
    He will never get well.”
My best friend, the one I trusted,
    the one who ate with me—even he has turned against me.
10 Lord, please be kind to me.
    Let me get up, and I will pay them back.
11 Don’t let my enemy defeat me.
    Then I will know that you care for me.
12 I was innocent and you supported me.
    You let me stand and serve you forever.

13 Praise the Lord, the God of Israel.
    He always was, and he always will be.

Amen and Amen!

Book 2

(Psalms 42-72)

To the director: A maskil from the Korah family.

42 Like a deer drinking from a stream,
    I reach out to you, my God.[b]
My soul thirsts for the living God.
    When can I go to meet with him?
Instead of food, I have only tears day and night,
    as my enemies laugh at me and say, “Where is your God?”

My heart breaks as I remember the pleasant times in the past,
    when I walked with the crowds as I led them up to God’s Temple.
I remember the happy songs of praise
    as they celebrated the festival.

5-6 Why am I so sad?
    Why am I so upset?
I tell myself, “Wait for God’s help!
    You will again be able to praise him,
    your God, the one who will save you.”
In my sadness I say, “I will remember you from here on this small hill,[c]
    where Mount Hermon and the Jordan River meet.”
I hear the roar of the water coming from deep within the earth.
    It shouts to the water below as it tumbles down the waterfall.
God, your waves come one after another,
    crashing all around and over me.[d]

By day the Lord shows his faithful love,
    and at night I have a song for him—a prayer for the God of my life.[e]
I say to God, my Rock,
    “Why have you forgotten me?
    Why must I suffer this sadness that my enemies have brought me?”
10 Their constant insults are killing me.
    They never stop asking, “Where is your God?”

11 Why am I so sad?
    Why am I so upset?
I tell myself, “Wait for God’s help!
    You will again be able to praise him,
    your God, the one who will save you.”

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 41:1 Or “Those who teach the poor will be very fortunate.”
  2. Psalm 42:1 Or “As a deer stretches out to drink water from a stream, so my soul thirsts for you, God.”
  3. Psalm 42:5 small hill Or “Mount Mizar.”
  4. Psalm 42:7 God, your waves … over me These word pictures describe the psalmist’s feelings about the many troubles the Lord has allowed him to experience.
  5. Psalm 42:8 the God of my life Or “my living God.”

Bible Gateway Recommends

ERV Paperback Bible, Case of 28
ERV Paperback Bible, Case of 28
Retail: $195.72
Our Price: $139.72
Save: $56.00 (29%)
ERV Holy Bible--soft leather-look, teal
ERV Holy Bible--soft leather-look, teal
Retail: $18.99
Our Price: $13.99
Save: $5.00 (26%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
PDT Children's Softcover Bible, Case of 20
PDT Children's Softcover Bible, Case of 20
Retail: $219.80
Our Price: $162.99
Save: $56.81 (26%)
4.0 of 5.0 stars
PDT Flexcover Bible, Case of 24
PDT Flexcover Bible, Case of 24
Retail: $215.76
Our Price: $159.99
Save: $55.77 (26%)
ERV Duotone Bible, Blue/Grey - Case of 24
ERV Duotone Bible, Blue/Grey - Case of 24
Retail: $455.76
Our Price: $334.99
Save: $120.77 (26%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
ERV Children's Softcover Bible, Case of 28
ERV Children's Softcover Bible, Case of 28
Retail: $279.72
Our Price: $206.99
Save: $72.73 (26%)
4.0 of 5.0 stars