Psalm 61-63

Common English Bible

Psalm 61

For the music leader, with stringed instruments. Of David.

61 God, listen to my cry;
    pay attention to my prayer!
²When my heart is weak,
    I cry out to you from the very ends of the earth.
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I am
³    because you have been my refuge,
    a tower of strength in the face of the enemy.
⁴Please let me live in your tent forever!
    Please let me take refuge
    in the shelter of your wings! Selah
⁵Because you, God, have heard my promises;
    you’ve given me^[a] the same possession
    as those who honor your name.

⁶Add days to the king’s life!
    Let his years extend for many generations!
⁷Let him be enthroned forever before God!
    Make it so love and faithfulness watch over him!
⁸Then I will sing praises to your name forever,
    and I will do what I promised every single day.

Psalm 62

For the music leader. According to Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

62 Only in God do I^[b] find rest;
my salvation comes from him.
²Only God is my rock and my salvation—
my stronghold!—I won’t be shaken anymore.

³How long will all of you attack others;
    how long will you tear them down^[c]
    as if they were leaning walls or broken-down fences?
⁴The only desire of this people
    is to bring others down low;
    they delight in deception.
With their mouths they bless,
    but inside they are cursing. Selah

⁵Oh, I^[d] must find rest in God only,
    because my hope comes from him!
⁶Only God is my rock and my salvation—
    my stronghold!—I will not be shaken.
⁷My deliverance and glory depend on God.
    God is my strong rock.
    My refuge is in God.
⁸All you people: Trust in him at all times!
    Pour out your hearts before him!
    God is our refuge! Selah

⁹Human beings are nothing but a breath.
    Human beings are nothing but lies.
    They don’t even register on a scale;
    taken all together they are lighter than a breath!
¹⁰Don’t trust in violence;
    don’t set false hopes in robbery.
When wealth bears fruit,
    don’t set your heart on it.
¹¹God has spoken one thing—
    make it two things—
    that I myself have heard:
    that strength belongs to God,
¹²    and faithful love comes from you, my Lord—
    and that you will repay
    everyone according to their deeds.

Psalm 63

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

63 God! My God! It’s you—
    I search for you!
    My whole being^[e] thirsts for you!
    My body desires you
        in a dry and tired land,
        no water anywhere.
²Yes, I’ve seen you in the sanctuary;
    I’ve seen your power and glory.
³My lips praise you
    because your faithful love
    is better than life itself!
⁴So I will bless you as long as I’m alive;
    I will lift up my hands in your name.

⁵I’m fully satisfied—
    as with a rich dinner.
My mouth speaks praise with joy on my lips—
⁶    whenever I ponder you on my bed,
    whenever I meditate on you
        in the middle of the night—
⁷    because you’ve been a help to me and I shout for joy in the protection of your wings.
⁸My whole being clings to you;
    your strong hand upholds me.

⁹But what about those people who want to destroy me?
    Let them go into the bowels of the earth!
¹⁰    Let their blood flow by the sword!
    Let them be food for wild jackals!
¹¹But the king should rejoice in God;
    everyone who swears by God should give praise
        when the mouths of liars are shut for good.