Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Confidence in God’s Protection.

To the Chief Musician; on stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

David’s Prayer

¹⁸ Then King David went in and sat [in prayer] before the Lord, and said, “Who am I, O Lord ^[a]God, and what is my house (family), that You have brought me this far? ¹⁹ Yet this was very insignificant in Your eyes, O Lord God, for You have spoken also of Your servant’s house (royal dynasty) in the distant future. And this is the law and custom of man, O Lord God. ²⁰ What more can David say to You? For You know (acknowledge, choose) Your servant, O Lord God. ²¹ Because of Your word (promise), and in accordance with Your own heart, You have done all these great and astounding things to let Your servant know (understand). ²² Therefore You are great, O Lord God; for there is none like You, and there is no God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ears. ²³ What one nation on earth is like Your people Israel, whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people and to make a name for Himself, and to do great and awesome things for Yourself and for Your land, before Your people whom You have redeemed for Yourself from Egypt, from nations and their gods? ²⁴ You established for Yourself Your people Israel as Your people forever, and You, O Lord, have become their God. ²⁵ Now, O Lord God, confirm forever the word [of the covenant] that You have spoken in regard to Your servant and his house (royal dynasty); and do just as You have spoken, ²⁶ so that Your Name may be magnified forever, saying, ‘The Lord of hosts (armies) is God over Israel;’ and may the house (royal dynasty) of Your servant David be established ^[b]before You. ²⁷ For You, O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, have ^[c]revealed this to Your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house (royal dynasty).’ For that reason Your servant has found ^[d]courage to pray this prayer to You. ²⁸ And now, O Lord God, You are God, and Your words are truth, and You have promised this good thing to Your servant. ²⁹ Therefore now, may it please You to bless the house (royal dynasty) of Your servant, so that it may continue forever before You; for You, O Lord God, have spoken it, and with Your blessing may the house of Your servant be blessed forever.”

¹⁷ Obey your [spiritual] leaders and submit to them [recognizing their authority over you], for they are keeping watch over your souls and continually guarding your spiritual welfare as those who will give an account [of their stewardship of you]. Let them do this with joy and not with grief and groans, for this would be of no benefit to you.

¹⁸ Keep praying for us, for we are convinced that we have a good conscience, seeking to conduct ourselves honorably [that is, with moral courage and personal integrity] in all things. ¹⁹ And I urge all of you to pray earnestly, so that I may be restored to you soon.

Benediction

²⁰ Now may the God of peace [the source of serenity and spiritual well-being] who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood that sealed and ratified the eternal covenant,^{(A) 21} equip you with every good thing to carry out His will and strengthen you [making you complete and perfect as you ought to be], accomplishing in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

²² I call on you, brothers and sisters, listen [patiently] to this message of exhortation and encouragement, for I have written to you briefly. ²³ Notice that our brother Timothy has been released [from prison]. If he comes soon, I will see you [along with him]. ²⁴ Give our greetings to all of your [spiritual] leaders and to all of the saints (God’s people). Those [Christians] from Italy send you their greetings.

²⁵ Grace be with you all.