Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

Assurance of God’s Eternal Protection

To the Chief Musician. On ^[a]a stringed instrument. A Psalm of David.

David’s Thanksgiving to God^(A)

¹⁸ Then King David went in and sat before the Lord; and he said: ^(B)“Who am I, O Lord God? And what is my house, that You have brought me this far? ¹⁹ And yet this was a small thing in Your sight, O Lord God; and You have also spoken of Your servant’s house for a great while to come. ^(C)Is this the manner of man, O Lord God? ²⁰ Now what more can David say to You? For You, Lord God, ^(D)know Your servant. ²¹ For Your word’s sake, and according to Your own heart, You have done all these great things, to make Your servant know them. ²² Therefore ^(E)You are great, ^[a]O Lord God. For ^(F)there is none like You, nor is there any God besides You, according to all that we have heard with our ^(G)ears. ²³ And who is like Your people, like Israel, ^(H)the one nation on the earth whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people, to make for Himself a name—and to do for Yourself great and awesome deeds for Your land—before ^(I)Your people whom You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt, the nations, and their gods? ²⁴ For ^(J)You have made Your people Israel Your very own people forever; ^(K)and You, Lord, have become their God.

²⁵ “Now, O Lord God, the word which You have spoken concerning Your servant and concerning his house, establish it forever and do as You have said. ²⁶ So let Your name be magnified forever, saying, ‘The Lord of hosts is the God over Israel.’ And let the house of Your servant David be established before You. ²⁷ For You, O Lord of hosts, God of Israel, have revealed this to Your servant, saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore Your servant has found it in his heart to pray this prayer to You.

²⁸ “And now, O Lord God, You are God, and ^(L)Your words are true, and You have promised this goodness to Your servant. ²⁹ Now therefore, let it please You to bless the house of Your servant, that it may continue before You forever; for You, O Lord God, have spoken it, and with Your blessing let the house of Your servant be blessed ^(M)forever.”

^17 (A)Obey those who ^[a]rule over you, and be submissive, for ^(B)they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account. Let them do so with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you.

Prayer Requested

^18 (C)Pray for us; for we are confident that we have ^(D)a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably. ¹⁹ But I especially urge you to do this, that I may be restored to you the sooner.

Benediction, Final Exhortation, Farewell

²⁰ Now may ^(E)the God of peace ^(F)who brought up our Lord Jesus from the dead, ^(G)that great Shepherd of the sheep, ^(H)through the blood of the everlasting covenant, ²¹ make you ^[b]complete in every good work to do His will, ^(I)working in ^[c]you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

²² And I appeal to you, brethren, bear with the word of exhortation, for I have written to you in few words. ²³ Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I shall see you if he comes shortly.

²⁴ Greet all those who ^[d]rule over you, and all the saints. Those from Italy greet you.

²⁵ Grace be with you all. Amen.