Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a scroll.” Shaphan read it out loud before the king.

They said to me, “The remnant that remains from the exile there in the province are experiencing considerable adversity and reproach. The wall of Jerusalem lies breached, and its gates have been burned down!”

So the king said to me, “Why do you appear to be depressed when you aren’t sick? What can this be other than sadness of heart?” This made me very fearful.

Sanballat and Geshem sent word to me saying, “Come on! Let’s set up a time to meet together at Kephirim in the plain of Ono.” Now they intended to do me harm.

Please remember me for this, O my God, and do not wipe out the kindness that I have done for the temple of my God and for its services!

Yet all of this fails to satisfy me so long as I have to see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate.”

I also have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you. Who does not know such things as these?

For the music director, to be accompanied by stringed instruments; a psalm of David. When I call out, answer me, O God who vindicates me! Though I am hemmed in, you will lead me into a wide, open place. Have mercy on me and respond to my prayer!

In my distress I called to the Lord; I cried out to my God. From his heavenly temple he heard my voice; he listened to my cry for help.

A psalm – a song used at the dedication of the temple; by David. I will praise you, O Lord, for you lifted me up, and did not allow my enemies to gloat over me.

Listen to me! Quickly deliver me! Be my protector and refuge, a stronghold where I can be safe!

I am oppressed and needy! May the Lord pay attention to me! You are my helper and my deliverer! O my God, do not delay!

I cannot eat, I weep day and night; all day long they say to me, “Where is your God?”

I am oppressed and needy! O God, hurry to me! You are my helper and my deliverer! O Lord, do not delay!

Do not ignore me in my time of trouble! Listen to me! When I call out to you, quickly answer me!

Even when my strength leaves me, you watch my footsteps. In the path where I walk they have hidden a trap for me.

Look to the right and see! No one cares about me. I have nowhere to run; no one is concerned about my life.

Remove falsehood and lies far from me; do not give me poverty or riches, feed me with my allotted portion of bread,

The Beloved to Her Lover: Tell me, O you whom my heart loves, where do you pasture your sheep? Where do you rest your sheep during the midday heat? Tell me lest I wander around beside the flocks of your companions!

Until the dawn arrives and the shadows flee, I will go up to the mountain of myrrh, and to the hill of frankincense.