Psalms 61:1--63:11

Psalm 61

For the music director; to be played on a stringed instrument; written by David.

61:1 O God, hear my cry for help!

Pay attention to my prayer!

61:2 From the most remote place on earth

I call out to you in my despair.

Lead me up to an inaccessible rocky summit!

61:3 Indeed, you are my shelter,

a strong tower that protects me from the enemy.

61:4 I will be a permanent guest in your home;

I will find shelter in the protection of your wings. (Selah)

61:5 For you, O God, hear my vows;

you grant me the reward that belongs to your loyal followers.

61:6 Give the king long life!

Make his lifetime span several generations!

61:7 May he reign forever before God!

Decree that your loyal love and faithfulness should protect him.

61:8 Then I will sing praises to your name continually,

as I fulfill my vows day after day.

Psalm 62

For the music director, Jeduthun; a psalm of David.

62:1 For God alone I patiently wait;

he is the one who delivers me.

62:2 He alone is my protector and deliverer.

He is my refuge; I will not be upended.

62:3 How long will you threaten a man?

All of you are murderers,

as dangerous as a leaning wall or an unstable fence.

62:4 They spend all their time planning how to bring him down.

They love to use deceit;

they pronounce blessings with their mouths,

but inwardly they utter curses. (Selah)

62:5 Patiently wait for God alone, my soul!

For he is the one who gives me confidence.

62:6 He alone is my protector and deliverer.

He is my refuge; I will not be upended.

62:7 God delivers me and exalts me;

God is my strong protector and my shelter.

62:8 Trust in him at all times, you people!

Pour out your hearts before him!

God is our shelter! (Selah)

62:9 Men are nothing but a mere breath;

human beings are unreliable.

When they are weighed in the scales,

all of them together are lighter than air.

62:10 Do not trust in what you can gain by oppression!

Do not put false confidence in what you can gain by robbery!

If wealth increases, do not become attached to it!

62:11 God has declared one principle;

two principles I have heard:

God is strong,

62:12 and you, O Lord, demonstrate loyal love.

For you repay men for what they do.

Psalm 63

A psalm of David, written when he was in the Judean wilderness.

63:1 O God, you are my God! I long for you!

My soul thirsts for you,

my flesh yearns for you,

in a dry and parched land where there is no water.

63:2 Yes, in the sanctuary I have seen you,

and witnessed your power and splendor.

63:3 Because experiencing your loyal love is better than life itself,

my lips will praise you.

63:4 For this reason I will praise you while I live;

in your name I will lift up my hands.

63:5 As if with choice meat you satisfy my soul.

My mouth joyfully praises you,

63:6 whenever I remember you on my bed,

and think about you during the nighttime hours.

63:7 For you are my deliverer;

under your wings I rejoice.

63:8 My soul pursues you;

your right hand upholds me.

63:9 Enemies seek to destroy my life,

but they will descend into the depths of the earth.

63:10 Each one will be handed over to the sword;

their corpses will be eaten by jackals.

63:11 But the king will rejoice in God;

everyone who takes oaths in his name will boast,

for the mouths of those who speak lies will be shut up.