Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Psalm 61
Security in God
For the choir director: on stringed instruments. Davidic.
1 God, hear my cry;
pay attention to my prayer.(A)
2 I call to You from the ends of the earth
when my heart is without strength.(B)
Lead me to a rock that is high above me,(C)
3 for You have been a refuge for me,
a strong tower(D) in the face of the enemy.
4 I will live in Your tent forever
and take refuge under the shelter of Your wings.(E)
5 God, You have heard my vows;(F)
You have given a heritage
to those who fear Your name.(G)
6 Add days to the king’s life;
may his years span many generations.(H)
7 May he sit enthroned before God forever;(I)
appoint faithful love and truth to guard him.(J)
8 Then I will continually sing of Your name,(K)
fulfilling my vows day by day.(L)
David’s Prayer of Thanksgiving
18 Then King David went in,(A) sat in the Lord’s presence, and said,
Who am I, Lord God, and what is my house that You have brought me this far? 19 What You have done so far[a] was a little thing to You, Lord God, for You have also spoken about Your servant’s house in the distant future. And this is a revelation[b] for mankind, Lord God. 20 What more can David say to You? You know Your servant,(B) Lord God. 21 Because of Your word and according to Your will, You have revealed all these great things to Your servant.
22 This is why You are great,(C) Lord God. There is no one like You, and there is no God besides You,(D) as all we have heard confirms. 23 And who is like Your people Israel? God came to one nation on earth in order to redeem a people for Himself, to make a name for Himself, and to perform for them[c] great and awesome acts, driving out nations and their gods before Your people You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt.(E) 24 You established Your people Israel to be Your own people forever, and You, Lord, have become their God.(F)
25 Now, Lord God, fulfill the promise forever that You have made to Your servant and his house. Do as You have promised, 26 so that Your name will be exalted forever, when it is said, “The Lord of Hosts is God over Israel.” The house of Your servant David(G) will be established before You 27 since You, Lord of Hosts, God of Israel, have revealed this to Your servant when You said, “I will build a house for you.” Therefore, Your servant has found the courage to pray this prayer to You. 28 Lord God, You are God; Your words are true, and You have promised this grace to Your servant. 29 Now, please bless Your servant’s house so that it will continue before You forever. For You, Lord God, have spoken, and with Your blessing Your servant’s house will be blessed forever.(H)
17 Obey your leaders[a] and submit to them, for they keep watch(A) over your souls as those who will give an account, so that they can do this with joy and not with grief, for that would be unprofitable for you. 18 Pray for us; for we are convinced that we have a clear conscience, wanting to conduct ourselves honorably in everything.(B) 19 And I especially urge you to pray[b] that I may be restored to you very soon.
Benediction and Farewell
20 Now may the God of peace, who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus—the great Shepherd of the sheep(C)—with the blood of the everlasting covenant,(D) 21 equip[c] you with all that is good to do His will, working in us what is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ. Glory belongs to Him forever and ever.[d](E) Amen.
22 Brothers, I urge you to receive this message of exhortation, for I have written to you briefly. 23 Be aware that our brother Timothy has been released. If he comes soon enough, he will be with me when I see you. 24 Greet all your leaders and all the saints. Those who are from Italy greet you. 25 Grace be with all of you.(F)
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