Prayer for Protection from the Wicked.

For the music director; for flute accompaniment. A Psalm of David.

Listen to my words, Lord, Consider my sighing.

The words of the Lord are pure words; Like silver refined in a furnace on the ground, filtered seven times.

As for the works of mankind, by the word of Your lips I have kept from the ways of the violent.

The Lord Praised for Rescuing David.

For the music director. A Psalm of David, the servant of the Lord, who spoke to the Lord the words of this song on the day that the Lord rescued him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. And he said,

“I love You, Lord, my strength.”

As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the Lord is refined; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him.

The Works and the Word of God.

For the music director. A Psalm of David.

The heavens tell of the glory of God; And their expanse declares the work of His hands.

There is no speech, nor are there words; Their voice is not heard.

Their line has gone out into all the earth, And their words to the end of the world. In them He has placed a tent for the sun,

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.

A Cry of Anguish and a Song of Praise.

For the music director; upon Aijeleth Hashshahar. A Psalm of David.

My God, my God, why have You forsaken me? Far from my help are the words of my groaning.

For the word of the Lord is right, And all His work is done in faithfulness.

By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, And by the breath of His mouth all their lights.

For they do not speak peace, But they devise deceitful words against those who are quiet in the land.

The words of his mouth are wickedness and deceit; He has ceased to be wise and to do good.

And when he comes to see me, he speaks empty words; His heart gathers wickedness to itself; When he goes outside, he tells it.

This is the way of those who are foolish, And of those after them who approve their words. Selah

For you yourself hate discipline, And you throw My words behind you.

You love all words that devour, You deceitful tongue.

Hear my prayer, God; Listen to the words of my mouth.

His speech was smoother than butter, But his heart was war; His words were softer than oil, Yet they were drawn swords.

In God, whose word I praise, In God I have put my trust; I shall not be afraid. What can mere mortals do to me?

All day long they distort my words; All their thoughts are against me for evil.

In God, whose word I praise, In the Lord, whose word I praise,

On account of the sin of their mouths and the words of their lips, May they even be caught in their pride, And on account of curses and lies which they tell.

God’s Guidance of His People in Spite of Their Unfaithfulness.

A Maskil of Asaph.

Listen, my people, to my instruction; Incline your ears to the words of my mouth.