Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
To the Director: A special Davidic psalm[a] to the tune of[b] “Do Not Destroy,” when he fled from Saul into a cave.
A Prayer for Deliverance
57 Have mercy on me, God, have mercy,
for in you I[c] have placed my trust.
Even in the shadow of your wings
will I find my refuge until this calamity passes.
2 I call upon the God Most High;
to the God who completes what he began[d] in me.
3 He will send help from heaven to deliver me
from those who harass and despise me.
God will send his gracious love and truth.
4 I am[e] surrounded by lions.
I lie down with those who burn with fire—
that is, with people whose teeth are like spears and arrows—
whose tongues are like sharp swords.
5 Be exalted above the heavens, God!
May your glory cover the earth!
6 They have set a snare for my feet,
which makes me[f] depressed.
They dug a pit in front of me,
but they are the ones who fell into it!
7 My heart is committed, God,
my heart is committed,
so I will sing and play music.
8 Wake up, my soul,[g]
wake up, lyre and harp!
I will awaken at dawn.
9 I will exalt you among the peoples, Lord.
I will play music among the nations.
10 For your gracious love is great,
extending even to the heavens,
and your truth even to the skies.
11 Be exalted above the heavens, God!
May your glory cover the earth!
23 When Abigail saw David, she quickly got down from the donkey and fell on her face before David, prostrating herself on the ground. 24 She fell at his feet and pleaded, “Your majesty, let the guilt be on me alone, and please let your servant[a] speak to you.[b] Listen to the words of your servant.[c] 25 Please, your majesty, don’t pay attention to this worthless man Nabal, for he’s just like his name. Nabal[d] is his name and folly is his constant companion. But I, your servant,[e] didn’t see your majesty’s young men whom you sent. 26 Now, your majesty, as the Lord lives and as you live, the Lord has kept you from shedding blood[f] and from delivering yourself by your own actions. Now, may your enemies and those seeking to do evil to your majesty be like Nabal. 27 Now let this present that your servant[g] has brought to your majesty be given to the young men who follow[h] your majesty. 28 Please forgive the offense of your servant.[i] For the Lord will certainly make a strong dynasty for your majesty, for your majesty is fighting the Lord’s battles. May evil not be found in you for all of your life.[j] 29 If anyone should arise to pursue you and seek your life, may the life of your majesty be bound up with the Lord your God in a bundle of the living, and may he sling out the lives of your enemies from the pocket of a sling. 30 When the Lord does for your majesty all the good that he promised concerning you and appoints you Commander-in-Chief[k] over Israel, 31 this shouldn’t be an obstacle or stumbling block for your majesty’s conscience, that he poured out blood without cause or that your majesty delivered himself. When the Lord does good things for your majesty, remember your servant.”[l]
32 David told Abigail, “Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, who sent you to meet me today. 33 Blessed be your good judgment, and blessed be you, who today stopped me from shedding blood[m] and delivering myself by my own actions. 34 For as surely as the Lord God of Israel lives, the one who restrained me from harming you—indeed, had you not quickly come to meet me, by dawn[n] there wouldn’t be a single male[o] left to Nabal.”
35 David took from her what she had brought him and told her, “Go up to your house in peace. Look, I’ve heard your request and will grant it.”
Be Patient
7 So be patient, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious crop from his land, being patient with it until it receives the fall and the spring rains. 8 You, too, must be patient. Strengthen your hearts, because the coming of the Lord is near. 9 Do not complain about each other, brothers, or you will be condemned. Look! The Judge is standing at the door! 10 As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 We consider those who endured to be blessed. You have heard about Job’s endurance and have seen the purpose of the Lord—that the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
Do Not Swear Oaths
12 Above all, brothers, do not swear oaths by heaven, by earth, or by any other object.[a] Instead, let your “Yes” mean yes and your “No” mean no! Otherwise,[b] you may fall under condemnation.
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