Psalm 129-131

Contemporary English Version

(A song for worship.)

A Prayer for Protection

¹Since the time I was young,
    enemies have often attacked!
Let everyone in Israel say:
²“Since the time I was young,
    enemies have often attacked!
But they have not defeated me,
³though my back is like a field
    that has just been plowed.”

⁴The Lord always does right,
    and he has set me free
from the ropes
    of those cruel people.
⁵I pray that all who hate
    the city of Zion
will be made ashamed
    and forced to turn and run.
⁶May they be like grass
    on the flat roof of a house,
grass that dries up
    as soon as it sprouts.
⁷Don't let them be like wheat
    gathered in bundles.
⁸And don't let anyone
who passes by say to them,
    “The Lord bless you!
I give you my blessing
    in the name of the Lord.”

(A song for worship.)

Trusting the Lord in Times of Trouble

¹From a sea of troubles
I cry out to you, Lord.
²Won't you please listen
as I beg for mercy?

³If you kept record of our sins,
no one could last long.
⁴But you forgive us,
and so we will worship you.

⁵With all my heart,
I am waiting, Lord, for you!
    I trust your promises.
⁶I wait for you more eagerly
than a soldier on guard duty
    waits for the dawn.
Yes, I wait more eagerly
than a soldier on guard duty
    waits for the dawn.

⁷Israel, trust the Lord!
God is always merciful
and has the power to save you.
⁸^(A) Israel, the Lord will save you
from all your sins.

(A song by David for worship.)

Trust the Lord!

¹I am not conceited, Lord,
and I don't waste my time
    on impossible schemes.
²But I have learned to feel safe
    and satisfied,
like a young child
    in its mother's arms.