Psalms 45:1

Psalm 45

For the music director; according to the tune of “Lilies;” by the Korahites, a well-written poem, a love song.

45:1 My heart is stirred by a beautiful song.

I say, “I have composed this special song for the king;

my tongue is as skilled as the stylus of an experienced scribe.”

Psalms 10:1--11:7

Psalm 10

10:1 Why, Lord, do you stand far off?

Why do you pay no attention during times of trouble?

10:2 The wicked arrogantly chase the oppressed;

the oppressed are trapped by the schemes the wicked have dreamed up.

10:3 Yes, the wicked man boasts because he gets what he wants;

the one who robs others curses and rejects the Lord.

10:4 The wicked man is so arrogant he always thinks,

“God won’t hold me accountable; he doesn’t care.”

10:5 He is secure at all times.

He has no regard for your commands;

he disdains all his enemies.

10:6 He says to himself,

“I will never be upended,

because I experience no calamity.”

10:7 His mouth is full of curses and deceptive, harmful words;

his tongue injures and destroys.

10:8 He waits in ambush near the villages;

in hidden places he kills the innocent.

His eyes look for some unfortunate victim.

10:9 He lies in ambush in a hidden place, like a lion in a thicket;

he lies in ambush, waiting to catch the oppressed;

he catches the oppressed by pulling in his net.

10:10 His victims are crushed and beaten down;

they are trapped in his sturdy nets.

10:11 He says to himself,

“God overlooks it;

he does not pay attention;

he never notices.”

10:12 Rise up, Lord!

O God, strike him down!

Do not forget the oppressed!

10:13 Why does the wicked man reject God?

He says to himself, “You will not hold me accountable.”

10:14 You have taken notice,

for you always see one who inflicts pain and suffering.

The unfortunate victim entrusts his cause to you;

you deliver the fatherless.

10:15 Break the arm of the wicked and evil man!

Hold him accountable for his wicked deeds,

which he thought you would not discover.

10:16 The Lord rules forever!

The nations are driven out of his land.

10:17 Lord, you have heard the request of the oppressed;

you make them feel secure because you listen to their prayer.

10:18 You defend the fatherless and oppressed,

so that mere mortals may no longer terrorize them.

Psalm 11

For the music director; by David.

11:1 In the Lord I have taken shelter.

How can you say to me,

“Flee to a mountain like a bird!

11:2 For look, the wicked prepare their bows,

they put their arrows on the strings,

to shoot in the darkness at the morally upright.

11:3 When the foundations are destroyed,

what can the godly accomplish?”

11:4 The Lord is in his holy temple;

the Lord’s throne is in heaven.

His eyes watch;

his eyes examine all people.

11:5 The Lord approves of the godly,

but he hates the wicked and those who love to do violence.

11:6 May the Lord rain down burning coals and brimstone on the wicked!

A whirlwind is what they deserve!

11:7 Certainly the Lord is just;

he rewards godly deeds;

the upright will experience his favor.