Of David.
To you, Lord, I call;
you are my Rock,
do not turn a deaf ear to me.
For if you remain silent, I will be like those who go down
to the pit.
Hear my cry for mercy
as I call to you for help,
as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.
Do not drag me away with the wicked,
with those who do evil,
who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice
in their hearts.
Repay them for their deeds
and for their evil work;
repay them for what their hands have done
and bring back on them what they
deserve.
Because they have no regard for the deeds of the Lord
and what his hands have done,
he will tear them down and never build them up again.
Praise be to the Lord,
for he has heard my cry for mercy.
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in him, and he helps
me.
My heart leaps for joy,
and with my song I praise him.
The Lord is the strength of his people,
a fortress of salvation for his
anointed one.
Save your people and bless your inheritance;
be their shepherd and carry them
forever.
Father, I thank you for the Psalms of David. That through them, we see that it is all right to cry to you for help, and we can be sure that you will hear and help us. I don’t always understand David’s harsh angry cries meant for other people, but I thank you, Lord, that you allow us to be honest with you.