Psalm 60[a](A)

For the director of music. To the tune of “The Lily of the Covenant.” A miktam[b] of David. For teaching. When he fought Aram Naharaim[c] and Aram Zobah,[d] and when Joab returned and struck down twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.(B)

You have rejected us,(C) God, and burst upon us;
    you have been angry(D)—now restore us!(E)
You have shaken the land(F) and torn it open;
    mend its fractures,(G) for it is quaking.
You have shown your people desperate times;(H)
    you have given us wine that makes us stagger.(I)
But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner(J)
    to be unfurled against the bow.[e]

Save us and help us with your right hand,(K)
    that those you love(L) may be delivered.
God has spoken from his sanctuary:
    “In triumph I will parcel out Shechem(M)
    and measure off the Valley of Sukkoth.(N)
Gilead(O) is mine, and Manasseh is mine;
    Ephraim(P) is my helmet,
    Judah(Q) is my scepter.(R)
Moab is my washbasin,
    on Edom I toss my sandal;
    over Philistia I shout in triumph.(S)

Who will bring me to the fortified city?
    Who will lead me to Edom?
10 Is it not you, God, you who have now rejected us
    and no longer go out with our armies?(T)
11 Give us aid against the enemy,
    for human help is worthless.(U)
12 With God we will gain the victory,
    and he will trample down our enemies.(V)

Psalm 61[f]

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. Of David.

Hear my cry, O God;(W)
    listen to my prayer.(X)

From the ends of the earth I call to you,
    I call as my heart grows faint;(Y)
    lead me to the rock(Z) that is higher than I.
For you have been my refuge,(AA)
    a strong tower against the foe.(AB)

I long to dwell(AC) in your tent forever
    and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.[g](AD)
For you, God, have heard my vows;(AE)
    you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.(AF)

Increase the days of the king’s life,(AG)
    his years for many generations.(AH)
May he be enthroned in God’s presence forever;(AI)
    appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.(AJ)

Then I will ever sing in praise of your name(AK)
    and fulfill my vows day after day.(AL)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 60:1 In Hebrew texts 60:1-12 is numbered 60:3-14.
  2. Psalm 60:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  3. Psalm 60:1 Title: That is, Arameans of Northwest Mesopotamia
  4. Psalm 60:1 Title: That is, Arameans of central Syria
  5. Psalm 60:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.
  6. Psalm 61:1 In Hebrew texts 61:1-8 is numbered 61:2-9.
  7. Psalm 61:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

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