Psalm 56

1 -2 - For the permanent collection, (to the tune 'The silent dove of far-off places) written by David (was not in the collection for a while) when he was held in Gath, an important Philistine city.

Show favor to me, O God, and make me acceptable to You. People try to walk all over me and daily force me by fighting with me in order to crush me. They keep twisting and turning, making it hard for me to deal with them. 3 - 4 But, when I am tempted to get terrified, I renew my determination to have confidence - feel safe - in You, God, by boasting in You (usuing Your own words) to boldly declare my security in You. I will not dread or even be afraid of what people try to deal out to me. 5 - 6 All the time they twist or stretch what I say. They spend all their time thinking up malignant and even vicious tales against me. They secretly figure out ways they can assissinate my reputation and character. 7 Are they going to be successful? In Your full power, God, cause those people to sink down. 8 You have an accurate record of my aimless wanderings and have legally documented all my pain and tears. 9 When I read that record aloud, then those who hate me will fall backard. The reason I know this is that the Divine Judge is on my side. 10 I will tell how wonderful the Creator God's Words are and how Awesome He is. 11 I have so much confidence in my Divine Judge that I will not be afraid what people can do to me. 12 I am in a covenant of peace with You - my True God - and I am in full agreement with the provisions. 13 You have recovered me - my physical life, my passions and my mind - from dying, that I may come into the Light - the full Life - of Your Presence entirely restored.

Psalm 55

1. A contemplative, minstrel type song written by king David for the permanent collection.
(prayer)
Listen carefully to my earnest petition, Divine Judge and don't hide your mercy and grace from me. 2 Please hear and answer me otherwise I'm aimlessly wandering around as I grumblingly complain to myself. 3 Those angry with me noisily have made accusing me of all sorts of crimes and unjustly opposing me in hostile ways. 4 - 5 The horrible accusations hurt me so bad I feel like I'm dying - my whole body shakes and shudders. 6 - 7 O, if I had wings I would fly away to some far off hideaway, make a nest and quietly rest. (music pause) 8 I'd quickly slip away from this whirling tempest. 9 - 11 Lord, let their own confusing words fall back on them.

(contrasting other previous problems with current challenge)
I have seen what happens when city people get violent, quarrel and fight. Day and night that kind of person looks trouble and then rushes headlong into it. Violence and treachery never ceases in the city streets. 12 - 14 But my problem right now isn't a foreign adversary attacking me (I could take that), or a public enemy twisting things out of proportion against me (I even know how to handle them). My real problem is that you (the one against me right now) used to be a personal, intimate friend of mine. We enjoyed doing things together, accepting each other's counsel and even unitedly worshiping God.
(Response and request for an answer) 15 Let death come to you. But if you still live, let it be in exile because of your inurious, malignant thoughts and enotions. 16 - 17 As for me, I will loudly petition the True Judge every morning and evening as well as throughout the day. He will listen to me and victoriously set me free. 18 - 19 He has already given me His peace in my heart from this conflict - because many others have petitioned the True God for me. With the voice of singing the Mighty God will grant my request, since He is and always has been around.
(underlying problems) It is because people haven't matured that they don't respect the Supreme Judge and reverently submitted to Him. 20 - 21 We were in a covenant of peace between us, but war broke out in your heart. Your words were soft, tender and flattering - but really (but hypocritical), for since you violated our covenant you 'divorced' yourself from it.
(conclusions)
22 Let God carry the burden of what He permits to happen - we can't handle it -but He cares completely for you. He will never allow those who belong to Him to be removed or turned from His right way. 23 But You, Mighty God, will let those who are dumb and stupid concerning Your will for them sink down into deep depression. Those who are crafty and treacherous will often die early. But as far as I am concerned, I choose to be confident in God's love plan for me.

Psalm 53

1 To the regular music director, a contemplative song, to be sung with a soothing harp accompaniment. Foolish people think nobody can 'boss them around' or tell them what to do. But they are all messed up, injured and have badly distorted views - which leads to wrong actions and even violence. Actually, no one is doing what really brings joy. 2 From where He resides in heaven, the One True God is watching everyone here on earth, looking to see if anyone has enough insight to claim God's help. 3 Everyone has moved away from God and unitedly become tainted, corrup and sour. Not one person has matured into a joy filled life in full agreement with God. 4 Don't those who do their own way understand? They devour God's family as they would eat bread, and they don't pay any attention to God. 5 But then trembling terror comes - even though there is nothing really to be afraid of - because God steps in and scatters those who turn against God's family. God, You disconcert and disappoint them because You have let them go. 6 O that deliverance by God of His overcomers had already happened. When God sets His family free, even Jacob (the heel catcher and supplanter) will celebrate with joy.

Psalm 52

1. A poem song for the permanent collection. Written after Doeg (Fearful) reported to King Saul (asked for) that David (beloved) was being sheltered by Ahimelech (my brother is king). Why are you making such a fool of yourself and creating such a loud noice because you proudly think you are so strong? God is with US all of the time. 2 You imagine and calculating speak hammered out, sharp words to mislead, deceive and spread lies. 3 -4 What you really want to do is what hurts Jehovah, rather than to know what pleases Him. You would rather break a covenant than keep your promises to the Lord. Your tongue 'loves' to be crafty, treacherous and destructive. 5 The Mighty 'God with us' will destroy you - throw you away - from the land of the living. 6 - 7 His will family will watch and even laugh, saying "this person didn't trust in the Almighty God but felt safe in his riches and secure in his conniving 'plans'. 8 But in the spendor and brilliance of lighted oil in God's house I have confidence in the True God's mercy from now on. 9 I agree with You forever, God, for You put things in order. I will expectantly, joyfully wait for You - along with the rest of Your family who love You.

Psalm 51

1. A song of David for the permanent music collection after Nathan the prophet showed him his sin with Bathsheba. Bend down to me and give me favor that I don't deserve, Supreme Judge. Treat me according to how great Your compassion is toward me by erasing the record of my revolt against You. 2 - 3 Clean me up from all my crimes, for I now recognize how I broke away from You - those thoughts stand out boldly in my mind. 4 You are the One I separated from and chose my 'good for nothing' way instead of Your will for me. I have finally come to agree with Your view about what I did. 5-6 Look, I was born with inherited tendencies to go the wrong way, yet Your goal is to permanently trtansform me from the inside so I can be truly wise. 7 Take away my wrong attitudes (which lead me to wrong actions) and then I will be right, pure and no longer contaminated. Deep clean me so I will no longer be filthy (contaminated like I just got back from battle). 8 Make me to experience Your joy filled welcome so that even what I had perceived as my strength - but which collapsed when in Your Presence - will spin around in a dance of intense JOY. 9 Don't look at my crimes (in other words, delete all my moral evil). 10 God, put into the very center of me (my heart) a clean spirit, right motives, positive attitudes - a new life. 11 -12 Don't throw me to where I can't see You or where Your life is taken away from me, but rather turn me to where I experience Your joyful welcome as Your liberating Spirit voluntarily embraces me. 13 That kind of experience will enable me to strongly encourage those who have broken away from Your just authority to return to You, and even guilty criminals will come back to Your will and way. 14 -15 You rescued me from my guilt of murder, O God of freedom, so I will shout and sin of how right You are - as You give me appropriate words to boldly describe Your real character and ways. 16 You don't want animals killed as a substitute for me, or I would do it. You aren't happy, either, to see their carcasses burn on an altar. 17 What You really want, Supreme God, is for me - bruised, collapsed and crumbing as I am - to come to You (and You won't scorn or despise me when I do come).
18 -19 Do Your beautiful work and express delight in the peace and protection You bring to earth. Then You will be pleased as I rightfully offer my whole mind and passion filled strength to belong to You and to do Your will.

Psalm 50

1- 2 A poem song for the permanent collection. The Creator God of the Universe has given a summons from His permanent residence - which is full of His light emitting Presence - to everyone who lives on this earth. 3 - 5 Very soon He will come - but not secretly (or quietly) this time. Fire will flame out before Him and the very atmosphere encircling Him will roll, swirl and billow. He will cause everyone - no matter who they are or where they are - to answer His summpons to meet with Him so He can plead the cause of all who choose to accept His covenant with them, and to gather them together to Him. 6 The whole universe will agree with His right choices, for the Almighty God will vindicate Himself. (pause for music)

7 I, the Almighty God, speak first to those who have accepted my covenant promise to make them My family. Listen, there is a problem. 8 the offerings and sacrifices you always bring to Me aren't the problem. 9 - 11 I'm not asking for more of anything for every living creature already belongs to Me - be they tame or wild animals in field and forest or even flying birds or insects. 12 If I got an intense desire for any of them I wouldn't tell you, for the whole world already belongs to me. 13 Honestly, (think about it) do I even eat animals or drink blood? 14-15 Just thank Me for what I do for you; keep your promise of loyalty to Me and call Me for help whenever you need it. I will deliver you and you will honor Me by giving Me full credit.

16 - 17 Now I, the Supreme God, speak to those who don't agree with Me. What right do you have to talk about My ways or claim any advantages of agreeing with Me? You don't respect Me or even listen to Me. 18 - 19 You do approve of what thieves do and even share their booty; you co-habit with anyone who disagrees with Me; you speak hurtful, false, crafty, treacherous words even when at home with your family or when talking to others about your family. 21 I haven't responded to you while you were doing what I've just mentioned, so you came to believe I was just like you. But now it's My turn to speak so you can see things the way they really are. 22 Those of you who choose not to care about Me - the Excellent God - understand one thing (so you don't end up some time simply in pieces with no value). 32 When you thank Me, you reveal who I am really like. When you agree with Me and choose to cooperate with Me, I will save you and you will be able to see Me face to face - to know and experience who I really am.

Psalm 49

Listen carefully to what I am about to share. Everyone, no matter what their race, creed, economic status or educational level, needs to understand what I have thought about it and will share, for it is very appropriate. Listen as I sing, accompanied with a string instrument.

Why should I become fearful when times get bad, even when consequences of my own wrong choices and actions 'catch up' with me? Some believe wealth can buy them out of ‘trouble’. But money can’t ‘save’ a person. You can’t ‘buy’ out God to free yourself, or anyone else, from condemnation. (But isn’t it also awesome that a full ransom has already been paid for each human being.)

Everyone, whether they are wise or foolish, rich or poor, when they die they leave everything behind.

They may even have named their property after themselves, but they still die, just like animals. It is really foolish, but those who live on try to keep their loved one’s memory alive. (meditate on that more) But the truth is, when they die they are put into a grave and deteriorate back to ‘dust’. Those who are still alive go on with their lives and eventually do forget about those who die. But God will cut me free from death’s power and will give back to me His life. (meditate on that more)

Don’t let getting rich consume you, or your life’s ambition become just to have a fabulous place to live. Remember, when you die nothing goes with you. It is nice to have good things and others speak good of you, but when you die its all over (curtain call). Highly esteemed people who don’t know God’s way to live are just like animals when they die.

Psalm 48

1 - 3 A strolling minstrel type poem/song with guitar accompaniment. The Awesome Creator God is to be greatly celebrated at the special place designated and protected by Him. Joy and light vibrate from where the Great King meets with us and in the Supreme God's presence we are protected.
4 -7 Look! The Leaders of this earth were all summoned and arrived together. What they saw caused them to tremble violently in fear and writhe in pain (as a woman having hard 'labor pains' when birthing a baby) as they saw You, yet hurried to get away from You, God, as You broke up international trade and communications, as with just a strong breath.
8 Sit up, take notice; The Creator God of the Universe is in control. (music pause)
9 - 11 We have studied how loving and kind You are to us, as well as the rest of Your true characteristics, so now we are sharing with everyone how good, right and awesome You really are. Let all who are loyal to You join with us as we joyfully celebrate Your loving authority.
12 - 13 First get a accurate picture of the loving Creator God in your own mind and then go out and share what you have learned with others who haven't yet had a correct understanding of Him.
14 The Supreme God, our God for ever, will always be with us because of what He did to save us - His Son died.

Psalms 47

1 - 2 A poem set to music for the permanent collection. Clap your hands, everyone. Shout with reverent joy to the Creator God who has regained full authority over this earth.
3 - 4 He will arrange people and even nations under our authority. He will choose what is best for us, even us who in times past have given Him lots of problems, because He loves us so much.
5 He ascended from this earth with shouts of joy and trumpet fanfare.
6 - 7 Keep celebrating the Supreme God with all your heart. Sing praises to Him for He has assumed His rightful position of full authority over this earth.
8 The Supreme God has full authority over everyone and His reign is entirely right.
9 The representatives of God's family here on earth are united that God is Supreme.

Psalm 46
A minstrel type song featuring special sections for soprano voices - for the national collection.
We are confident that the Supreme God is our complete security and entire protection even when things get intensely stressful and 'tight'.
Because of our confidence in God we will not be terrorized even when present powers change, causing tumult, foul play, smear campaigns and even arrogant wars. (music pause)
God's joy filled love flows out from Him to His family and He always protects and surrounds them so they don't waver, slip or fall.
Those who are against God rage, war and cause great havoc. Yet when God speaks they stop, 'fall apart' and 'faint'.
The Self-Existent, Creator God - the One who loves sinners - saves us. (music pause)
Come close so you can see that it is really the Creator God who stops the carnage, wars, ruin and 'melt down' in the earth.
He says: "Slow down to where you know that I, the Supreme God, am above all else in heaven or earth."
The Self-Existent, Creator God - the One who loves sinners - saves us. (music pause)

Psalm 45

(About Messiah) 1 [A flowing poetic song for skillfully orchestrated music featuring the trumpet.] I overflow with emotion while writing this celebration of heart love (for a royal wedding). (Son) You, Light, are more beautiful than all others. So gracious and kind are Your words Your Father is forever revealed as good and right through You. Prepare your words - your sword - powerful, glorious Warrior, and in Your grand presentation successfully prosper, for You are true and right, yet meek. Your right ways will so reveal how awesome You are that even those who hate You will finally submit to Your authority.

Father, your authority is forever and Your form of government right. You, Son, love equity and hate anything that violates. God gives You more JOY than anyone else because You left Your beloved home and for the joy it would bring You immersed Yourself in the bitterness and pain of this earth to bring healing and deliverance.

Your family here consists of those who develop inseparable relationships with you.
Listen carefully, you who desire to be in this family. Forget your past co-dependent, malfunctioning 'families'. God longs for you to lovingly honor Him, and worship Him as Sovereign. Both hard pressed and wealthy will urge you to tell them of your new relationship.

The bride will shine from within and be clothed, as it were, with shimmering as a clear sky in her presentation with great magnificence to the Father. All who have aided in her preparation will also rejoice and celebrate with her. Instead of human family, connect with those in God's family around the world.

I (God) will make you to be recognized everywhere.

Let all God's family praise Him.

Psalm 54

1-2 A lively song, written after spies told Saul David's location. Written to teach one specific 'thing'.

O God, listen carefully to me and make the right decision. And please use Your authority and power to set me free.

3 People with no respect for You have harassed me, treated me terrible and have now turned traitor.

(Pause in music)

4-5 How Awesome! You, my Sovereign - the same One who helps those who help me - will turn back and make good for nothing those who are against me so that they will as good as vanish, while I trust You.

6 I lift up my hands in spontaneous praise to You, My God, for how good You really are.

7. You snatch me away from every rival. Now I also see those who are really against me.

Psalm 92

1.-3. A poem song for Sabbath. Singing praises to our Supreme God accompanied with instruments is a good way to boldly manifest His beauty and faithfulness day and night. Use a piano, guitar and even include a harp for more solemn, meditative themes.

4.-5. O Creator God, You give me joy working in my life. I get so excited I shout as I watch Your actions and activities. Your works are awesome, yet Your thoughts go far deeper.

6. A busy consumer can't figure out what's happening, neither can those just out for a 'good time'.

7.-8. Those who don't agree with You spring up like young grass, but they soon die and are gone - just the opposite of You, Lord, who lives eternally.

9. Those who hate you, Lord, wander off, get scattered and become lost.

10.-11 But my light (which comes from You in the first place) You cause to shine conspicuously, bringing me fresh, abundant life and enabling me to see those who didn't like me when I was 'down' and to hear what happened to those who were against me before I became prosperous.

12. Those who are right with God in their hearts will flourish, be erect and keep growing.

13.-14. When You become part of God's family, you will grow up as in a protected garden, and will continue to be productive and 'fruitful' even as you mature, which will make manifest to everyone that God is unchangeable - as a mighty mountain - and that His way is totally right.

Psalm 44

1. An instructive musical arrangement for the choir.
(Review of past experiences with God)
Supreme God, we have thoughtfully listened as our fathers have celebrated Your special dealings in their lives as well as sharing Your Story from the very beginning of this earth's history. 2.-3. You expelled spoiled, 'good for nothing' communities and gave Your family lands, not because of their might, but You were the One who was strong and it gave You JOY to satisfy them and make them happy. 4. You, God, are in full control. Keep delivering Your family even though they keep tripping and messing up. 5. In Your power and authority we push, as with horns, through narrow, tight places and trample down whatever is in our way.

(personal commitment)
6.-8. I won't be confident in my own prowess or ingenuity to save me, but You have set us free and disappointed those who hated us, so we choose to celebrate in You and worship You from now on.

(Perceived problem)
9.-11. But it looks to us as though You have insultingly rejected us; You don't fight for us anymore so we are defeated. Those who hate us take what they want, leaving us like lost, scattered sheep to be killed to eat. 12.-14. It's like You have sold us, even though You got no benefit. You permitted us to be disgraced and laughed at by those around us who have taunted us and considered themselves better than us. 15.-16. I am confused as those who hate me loudly revile, defame and shame me.

(person perceptions)
17.-19. This is what has happened to us. But haven't we kept our part of your covenant? Haven't we fulfilled Your will for us? Yet it's like we are surrounded as by dragons and possibly staring death itself in the face, so to speak. 20.-22. But, Lord, we did forget who You really are. We were allured into affairs and had 'flings' with other partners (which You know all about for You know everything in our hearts), so we are now being struck - with intent to kill (by our affair partners) - in an attempt to destroy us.

(appeal to God)
23.-25. My true Sovereign, wake up quick! Don't stay so far away! We are distressed to the point of depression. Don't hide from us - we're almost dead! 26. Pay the ransom for our release entirely on the basis of how kind You really are!

Psalm 91

1-2 The person who is in love with God will stay very close to their awesome Lover. [He is my Lover too.]

3-4 He will rescue you from covert seductions as well as obvious attempts to destroy your love for Him by surrounding you with His own passionate love. Passionate intimacy with Your lover is what will really protect you 5-6 so You won't panic when you can't see what is happening or even when you can; whether lies are secretly spoken to destroy you or you know you are being attacked.

7-8 Others all around you will lose their love for God and become unfaithful, but it won't break your intimacy with Him. You will see, however, what happens to those who become unfaithful.

9-10 But because you have chosen (as I have) God as your lover, no infidelity will contaminate your thoughts or life.

11-13 Your Lover will also use others who love Him to safeguard you from adultery by teaching you how to passionately repel any obvious temptations and even quickly dismiss all evil insinuations.

14-16 (Your Lover's message to you:) "Because you love Me intimately - having learned who I really am and what I am really like - and fully respect My authority, I will marry you and give you My special name to call Me. When You use My special name I will lovingly respond to you. Even when you get in tight, narrow situations or are crowded by opponents, I will strengthen you with My joyful, satisfying peace filled Presence and will save you in spectacular ways."

Psalm 90

A prayer hymn written by Moses, a man who loved God.
1 - 2. Sovereign Creator, You are the source of life for everyone on earth. Even before this earth was created You were God, are God and always will be God.
3. - 4. People on this earth get crushed, they crumble and die even as you call to them to return to You. But each generation is a sad repetition of the previous one.
5. - 6. First people grow quickly and flourish like fresh, green grass. But by the end of their lives, like cut grass, they wither in shame, confusion and disappointment.
7. - 9. We try hard to prepare for You, but as You draw near to reveal more of Your passionate love to us, we are afraid we will die as we realize that everything about us - including all our guilty secrets - You see clearly as another sad story.
10. You gave us a full life and at times have even lengthened it. Yet we get proud or depressed, chose wrong or in other ways waste our lives, until we finally die.
11. Does anyone have any real idea how much You intensely love us? Does anyone really know what it means to truly reverence You in gratitude for Your love - life?
12. Harmonize us with You so Your wisdom will flow into our hearts
13. Creator God, how long will it take to come back to us. Enable us to know Your sorrow for and compassion to those who have loved You in return for Your love.
14. Fill us each morning with love we don't deserve so we can shout in triumph that You love to be with us and in experiencing Your love our whole day will brighten.
15. Make us to comprehend that You love to be with us which will counteract the lie we believed that you were against us.
16. - 17. Show us what You are really like so we can share it with our families. Let Your delightful love fill us so we can reveal who You really are through our lives.

Psalm 86

1. An intercessory prayer written by David. Look at me Lord so I perceive that You hear me better. Please pay attention to me. I feel depressed and destitute, yet I yield myself to You. 2. I am trying to be like You so protect me, Supreme God. Be open to help me for I'm sure You are my only help. 3. Be kind to me, my Sovereign, for I am coming to You all of the time. 4. Give me JOY for I come to You with my life. 5. You, Lord, are good, ready to pardon and are sparing me. You are full of kindness to everyone who comes to You. 6. Listen, Lord, to my request as I speak to you my earnest prayer. 7. When I am having a hard time with others, I please give me Your answer. 8. There is no one else who is like You and who can do what You can do. 9 - 10. Everyone will eventually bow before you and agree that You really are Sovereign and Supreme. 11. Teach me now how You want me to be and live so I am at-one in Your will. 12. I raise my hands in worship to You, Supreme God as a symbol that I am completely Yours. I will honor and respect Your authority from now on.13. You have been so kind to me and have delivered me from eternal death. 14. Those who don't honor you are trying to get me to turn against You like they are, 15 -16. but You, my Sovereign Lord, have come along side me with Your passion and have chosen to reveal to me Your beauty as well as Your stability. Let me experience Your kindness and trustworthiness as You give me Your saving strength.

17. Give me a token of evidence You delight in me so those who hate me will be disappointed because You have protected and comforted me.

Psalm 43

1. Govern me, Strong and Supreme God, and defend me before those who are not religious, kind or courteous. Slip me away from those who are false and distorted.
2. My Supreme, Strong God and Defender, why do I feel You are failing me or letting me go? Why am I so distressed because of those who are hostile to me?
3. Let Your happiness and trustworthiness transport me into Your sacred, uplifting Presence where You reside.
4. Then I will come into agreement with the Almighty God who loves me to be in His presence. With music I will dance with intense emotions while lifting my hands to You in worship, O my Supreme God.
5. Why do you sink down in depression, O Self? Why is there so much tumult and clamor inside? Be patient and hope in my Supreme God. I will continue to raise my hands in worship to Him who delivers me, makes me joyful and is MY God.

Psalm 42

1. A teaching poem written for the Levitical family of Korah.
As the male is passionate for a female, so am I passionate for You, my Creator.
2. My whole being craves to see God. Oh! how soon can that happen?
3. Yet while I have intense heart longings, even with tears, folks keep asking me "Would God treat you this way?" or "Where is your God?"
4. When I think about those who asked me these questions it really frustrates me. Why? Well, I had reverently worshiped in church with them, I had sung with them in festival choirs and I had participated with them in processions of praise celebrating God's goodness.
5. Why am I so depressed, then? Why is my heart in such commotion? I choose to be patient and wait for God's will. I will continue to lift my hands in praise to the Creator God for setting me free and giving me victory by looking upon me.
6. Almighty God, I do get discouraged. But I am choosing to think about you and make mention of You to others, both when I am 'down and out' and when I get excited or elated over situations or things.
7. Your power surges over and around me like huge ocean waves.
8. Yet You, Eternal Creator, are kind and courteous all the time. Even in adversity Your songs encourage me and hymns about You revive me.
9. - 10. When I get discouraged I ask God, "Have You forgotten me?" Why do I get so oppressed by those who don't like me. They cramp, crush and defame me while taunting me with "Where is Your God?"
11. Why am I so depressed? Why is my heart in such a tumult? I choose to agree with the Almighty God. I lift my open hands in reverent worship to Him and focus on what He is really like, for He is the One who saves me, delivers me and makes me victorious!

Psalm 41

1. Music from David for the permanent collection.
The Creator God will preserve the person who carefully considers the needs of those who are feeble and weak, particularly when he faces his own difficulties.
2. The Self-Existent One will support, comfort and keep him alive. God won't allow those who hate him to have their way against him.
3. Jehovah will support him when he is repulsive to others. He will change the circumstances when he gets worn, weak and anxious.
4. I said, "Creator, be moved to favor me and refresh me; I have missed Your will."
5. Those who hate me speak bad about me. "When is he going to die and people forget who he was and what he was really like?
6. When he comes to visit me his words are useless and more like a tempest. He collects what he thinks is trouble so that when he leaves he can tell others about it.
7. The who hate me get together to mumble magical spells against me. They fabricate the spells, plotting to hurt me.
8. They say, "An destructive spell is on him and now that he is down he won't get up,"
9. Even my covenant friend who I had confidence in and who had often eaten with me, betrayed me.
10. Self-Existent One, bend down in kindness to me as to an inferior. Then raise me up, so I can be safe of them.
11. I see that you favor me and are pleased with me because you didn't allow those who have been hostile toward me to get the better of me.
12. And as for me, You follow close to me and keep me close to you for ever.
13. Kneel before the Creator who is Almighty God of the overcomers forever.
So be it, and Amen.

Psalm 39

1. A peom/song written by David for Israel's permanent music collection.
I said "I will guard my actions and be very careful of any comments I make when those who are abusive and violate others are in my presence."
2. I quit making even good comments - which gave me grief as well.
3. But just thinking about problems and complaining about them to myself stressed me out so much I finally started talking again.
4. Creator God, empower me to recognize my limitations as well as what I can yet accomplish in life, so I can understand my shortcomings.
5. Whoa! You gave me a 'handful' of days, so to speak. My whole lifetime is practically 'nothing' to You. The best a person is and does is at best transitory.
6. What a person does is like a shadow. They get uptight over just about nothing, they try to accumulate lots of 'things', but don't really know who will end up with them.
7. My Sovereign, what is in my future? I wait in You.
8. Snatch me away from anything that causes me to break away from You. Don't let me be disgraced by those who have already been stupid and fallen away.
9. I didn't say anything because of what You did.
10. Stop afflicting me, for I am about finished off by your power.
11. When you correct and instruct a person who has been crooked, beauty shrinks and disappears and everyone becomes empty.
12. Creator God, Hear my intense prayer song. Don't be silent when I - who am more like a stranger or temporary guest - weep.
13. Have compassion on me so I recover strength before my life ends.