Psalm 28-30
Contemporary English Version
(By David.)
A Prayer for Help
1 Only you, Lord,
are a mighty rock![a]
Don't refuse to help me
when I pray.
If you don't answer me,
I will soon be dead.
2 Please listen to my prayer
and my cry for help,
as I lift my hands
toward your holy temple.
3 Don't drag me away, Lord,
with those cruel people,
who speak kind words,
while planning trouble.
4 (A) Treat them as they deserve!
Punish them for their sins.
5 They don't pay any attention
to your wonderful deeds.
Now you will destroy them
and leave them in ruin.
6 I praise you, Lord,
for answering my prayers.
7 You are my strong shield,
and I trust you completely.
You have helped me,
and I will celebrate
and thank you in song.
8 You give strength
to your people, Lord,
and you save and protect
your chosen ones.
9 Come save us and bless us.
Be our shepherd and always
carry us in your arms.
(A psalm by David.)
The Voice of the Lord in a Storm
1 (B) All you angels[b] in heaven,
honor the glory and power
of the Lord!
2 Honor the wonderful name
of the Lord,
and worship the Lord
most holy and glorious.[c]
3 The voice of the Lord
echoes over the oceans.
The glorious Lord God
thunders above the roar
of the raging sea,
4 and his voice is mighty
and marvelous.
5 The voice of the Lord
destroys the cedar trees;
the Lord shatters cedars
on Mount Lebanon.
6 God makes Mount Lebanon
skip like a calf
and Mount Hermon
jump like a wild ox.
7 The voice of the Lord
makes lightning flash
8 and the desert tremble.
And because of the Lord,
the desert near Kadesh
shivers and shakes.
9 The voice of the Lord
makes deer give birth
before their time.[d]
Forests are stripped of leaves,
and the temple is filled
with shouts of praise.
10 The Lord rules on his throne,
king of the flood[e] forever.
11 Pray that our Lord
will make us strong
and give us peace.
(A psalm by David for the dedication of the temple.)
A Prayer of Thanks
1 I will praise you, Lord!
You saved me from the grave
and kept my enemies
from celebrating my death.
2 I prayed to you, Lord God,
and you healed me,
3 saving me from death
and the grave.
4 Your faithful people, Lord,
will praise you with songs
and honor your holy name.
5 Your anger lasts a little while,
but your kindness lasts
for a lifetime.
At night we may cry,
but when morning comes
we will celebrate.
6 I felt secure and thought,
“I'll never be shaken!”
7 You, Lord, were my friend,
and you made me strong
as a mighty mountain.
But when you hid your face,
I was crushed.
8 I prayed to you, Lord,
and in my prayer I said,
9 “What good will it do you
if I am in the grave?
Once I have turned to dust,
how can I praise you
or tell how loyal you are?
10 Have pity, Lord! Help!”
11 You have turned my sorrow
into joyful dancing.
No longer am I sad
and wearing sackcloth.[f]
12 I thank you from my heart,
and I will never stop
singing your praises,
my Lord and my God.
Footnotes
- 28.1 mighty rock: See the note at 18.2.
- 29.1 angels: Or “supernatural beings” or “gods.”
- 29.2 most … glorious: Or “in his holy place” or “and wear your glorious clothes.”
- 29.9 makes … time: Or “twists the oak trees around.”
- 29.10 king of the flood: In ancient times the people of Israel believed that a mighty ocean surrounded all of creation, and that God could release the water to flood the earth.
- 30.11 sackcloth: A rough, dark-colored cloth made from goat or camel hair and used to make grain sacks. It was worn in times of trouble or sorrow.
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