<p class="poetry">I am a friend to all your loyal followers,<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">and to those who keep your precepts.p>

<p class="poetry">Before I was afflicted I used to stray off,<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">but now I keep your instructions.<n id="2" />p>

<p class="poetry">May the arrogant be humiliated, for they have slandered me!<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">But I meditate on your precepts.p>

<p class="poetry">The king says,<n id="1" /> &#8220;I will announce the <sc>Lord&#8217;ssc> decree. He said to me:<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">&#8216;You are my son!<n id="3" /> This very day I have become your father!p>

<p class="poetry">Have mercy on me,<n id="1" /> <sc>Lordsc>, for I am frail!p> <p class="poetry">Heal me, <sc>Lordsc>, for my bones are shaking!<n id="2" />p>

<p class="poetry">I call to you for you will answer me, O God.p> <p class="poetry">Listen to me!<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">Hear what I say!<n id="2" />p>

<t /><p class="psasuper">By David.p> <p class="poetry">Vindicate me, O <sc>Lordsc>,p> <p class="poetry">for I have integrity,<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">and I trust in the <sc>Lordsc> without wavering.p>

<p class="poetry">Use your spear and lance<n id="1" /> against<n id="2" /> those who chase me!p> <p class="poetry">Assure me with these words:<n id="3" /> &#8220;I am your deliverer!&#8221;p>

<p class="poetry">&#8220;O <sc>Lordsc>, help me understand my mortalityp> <p class="poetry">and the brevity of life!<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">Let me realize how quickly my life will pass!<n id="2" />p>

<p class="poetry">As for me, I said:<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">&#8220;O <sc>Lordsc>, have mercy on me!p> <p class="poetry">Heal me, for I have sinned against you!p>

<p class="poetry">I will express my thanks to you with a stringed instrument,p> <p class="poetry">praising<n id="1" /> your faithfulness, O my God!p> <p class="poetry">I will sing praises to you accompanied by a harp,p> <p class="poetry">O Holy One of Israel!<n id="2" />p>

<t /><p class="psasuper">A prayer of David.p> <p class="poetry">Listen<n id="2" /> O <sc>Lordsc>! Answer me!p> <p class="poetry">For I am oppressed and needy.p>

<p class="poetry">Protect me,<n id="1" /> for I am loyal!p> <p class="poetry">O my God, deliver your servant, who trusts in you!p>

<p class="poetry">Take note of my brief lifespan!<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">Why do you make all people so mortal?<n id="2" />p>

<p class="poetry">Arrogant people smear my reputation with lies,<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">but I observe your precepts with all my heart.p>

<p class="poetry">Yes,<n id="1" /> I know the <sc>Lordsc> is great,p> <p class="poetry">and our Lord is superior to all gods.p>

<p class="poetry">As a demonstration of your loyal love,<n id="1" /> destroy my enemies!p> <p class="poetry">Annihilate<n id="2" /> all who threaten my life,<n id="3" />p> <p class="poetry">for I am your servant.p>

<p class="poetry">Even when an army is deployed against me,p> <p class="poetry">I do not fear.<n id="1" />p> <p class="poetry">Even when war is imminent,<n id="2" />p> <p class="poetry">I remain confident.<n id="3" />p>

<t /><p class="psasuper">For the music director; according to the tune of &#8220;Lilies;&#8221;<n id="2" /> by the Korahites, a well-written poem,<n id="3" /> a love song.p> <p class="poetry">My heart is stirred by a beautiful song.<n id="4" />p> <p class="poetry">I say, &#8220;I have composed this special song<n id="5" /> for the king;p> <p class="poetry">my tongue is as skilled as the stylus of an experienced scribe.&#8221;<n id="6" />p>