Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)

¹ Of David, when he feigned insanity before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he left.
² I will bless Adonai at all times.
His praise is continually in my mouth.
³ My soul boasts in Adonai.
The humble ones hear of it and rejoice.
⁴ Magnify Adonai with me
and let us exalt His Name together.
⁵ I sought Adonai, and He answered me,
and delivered me from all my fears.
⁶ They who looked to Him were radiant,
and their faces will never be ashamed.
⁷ This poor man cried, and Adonai heard,
and saved him out of all his troubles.
⁸ The angel of Adonai encamps around those who fear Him,
and delivers them.
⁹ Taste and see how good Adonai is.
Blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him.
¹⁰ Fear Adonai, His kedoshim,
For those who fear Him lack nothing.
¹¹ Young lions may lack, and go hungry,
but those who seek Adonai want for no good thing.

¹⁰ May your mouth be like the best wine,
    going down smoothly for my beloved,
    causing the lips of sleepers to speak.
¹¹ I am my lover’s,
    and his desire is for me.
¹² Come, my beloved,
    let us go out into the field.
Let us spend the night in the villages.
¹³ Let us go out early to the vineyards,
—let us see if the vine has budded,
    if their blossoms have opened,
    and if the pomegranates have bloomed—
there I will give you my love.
¹⁴ The mandrakes have given off fragrance,
    and over our door is every choice fruit,
both new and old,
    that I have stored up for you, my lover.
8 O, that you were like a brother to me,
    who nursed at my mother’s breasts.
If I found you outside, I would kiss you,
    and no one would despise me.
² I would lead you
    and bring you into my mother’s house—
    she who has taught me.
I would give you spiced wine to drink
    from the nectar of my pomegranate.
³ O that his left hand were under my head,
    and his right hand embraced me.