Psalms 28:1--30:12

Psalm 28

By David.

28:1 To you, O Lord, I cry out!

My protector, do not ignore me!

If you do not respond to me,

I will join those who are descending into the grave.

28:2 Hear my plea for mercy when I cry out to you for help,

when I lift my hands toward your holy temple!

28:3 Do not drag me away with evil men,

with those who behave wickedly,

who talk so friendly to their neighbors,

while they plan to harm them!

28:4 Pay them back for their evil deeds!

Pay them back for what they do!

Punish them!

28:5 For they do not understand the Lord’s actions,

or the way he carries out justice.

The Lord will permanently demolish them.

28:6 The Lord deserves praise,

for he has heard my plea for mercy!

28:7 The Lord strengthens and protects me;

I trust in him with all my heart.

I am rescued and my heart is full of joy;

I will sing to him in gratitude.

28:8 The Lord strengthens his people;

he protects and delivers his chosen king.

28:9 Deliver your people!

Empower the nation that belongs to you!

Care for them like a shepherd and carry them in your arms at all times!

Psalm 29

A psalm of David.

29:1 Acknowledge the Lord, you heavenly beings,

acknowledge the Lord’s majesty and power!

29:2 Acknowledge the majesty of the Lord’s reputation!

Worship the Lord in holy attire!

29:3 The Lord’s shout is heard over the water;

the majestic God thunders,

the Lord appears over the surging water.

29:4 The Lord’s shout is powerful,

the Lord’s shout is majestic.

29:5 The Lord’s shout breaks the cedars,

the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon.

29:6 He makes Lebanon skip like a calf

and Sirion like a young ox.

29:7 The Lord’s shout strikes with flaming fire.

29:8 The Lord’s shout shakes the wilderness,

the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

29:9 The Lord’s shout bends the large trees

and strips the leaves from the forests.

Everyone in his temple says, “Majestic!”

29:10 The Lord sits enthroned over the engulfing waters,

the Lord sits enthroned as the eternal king.

29:11 The Lord gives his people strength;

the Lord grants his people security.

Psalm 30

A psalm – a song used at the dedication of the temple; by David.

30:1 I will praise you, O Lord, for you lifted me up,

and did not allow my enemies to gloat over me.

30:2 O Lord my God,

I cried out to you and you healed me.

30:3 O Lord, you pulled me up from Sheol;

you rescued me from among those descending into the grave.

30:4 Sing to the Lord, you faithful followers of his;

give thanks to his holy name.

30:5 For his anger lasts only a brief moment,

and his good favor restores one’s life.

One may experience sorrow during the night,

but joy arrives in the morning.

30:6 In my self-confidence I said,

“I will never be upended.”

30:7 O Lord, in your good favor you made me secure.

Then you rejected me and I was terrified.

30:8 To you, O Lord, I cried out;

I begged the Lord for mercy:

30:9 “What profit is there in taking my life,

in my descending into the Pit?

Can the dust of the grave praise you?

Can it declare your loyalty?

30:10 Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me!

O Lord, deliver me!”

30:11 Then you turned my lament into dancing;

you removed my sackcloth and covered me with joy.

30:12 So now my heart will sing to you and not be silent;

O Lord my God, I will always give thanks to you.