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(By David.)

A Prayer for Help

Only 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.
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[b] 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.[c]

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.[d]
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[e] forever.
11 Pray that our Lord
will make us strong
    and give us peace.

(A psalm by David for the dedication of the temple.)

A Prayer of Thanks

I will praise you, Lord!
    You saved me from the grave
and kept my enemies
    from celebrating my death.
I prayed to you, Lord God,
    and you healed me,
saving me from death
    and the grave.

Your faithful people, Lord,
will praise you with songs
    and honor your holy name.
Your anger lasts a little while,
but your kindness lasts
    for a lifetime.
At night we may cry,
but when morning comes
    we will celebrate.

I felt secure and thought,
    “I'll never be shaken!”
You, Lord, were my friend,
and you made me strong
    as a mighty mountain.
But when you hid your face,
    I was crushed.

I prayed to you, Lord,
    and in my prayer I said,
“What good will it do you
    if I am in the grave?
Once I have turned to dust,
    how can I praise you
or tell how loyal you are?
10     Have pity, Lord! Help!”

11 You have turned my sorrow
    into joyful dancing.
No longer am I sad
    and wearing sackcloth.[f]
12 I thank you from my heart,
    and I will never stop
singing your praises,
    my Lord and my God.

Footnotes

  1. 28.1 mighty rock: See the note at 18.2.
  2. 29.1 angels: Or “supernatural beings” or “gods.”
  3. 29.2 most … glorious: Or “in his holy place” or “and wear your glorious clothes.”
  4. 29.9 makes … time: Or “twists the oak trees around.”
  5. 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.
  6. 30.11 sackcloth: A rough, dark-colored cloth made from goat or camel hair and used to make grain sacks. It was worn in times of trouble or sorrow.

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