Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)
Lead Me to the Rock
Psalm 61
1 For the music director, on string instrument, of David.
2 Hear my cry, O God, listen to my prayer.
3 From the end of the earth I call to You when my heart is faint.
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
4 For You have been a refuge for me,
a tower of strength before the enemy.
5 Let me dwell in Your tent forever.
Let me take refuge in the shelter of Your wings. Selah
6 For You have heard my vows, O God.
You have given the inheritance of those who fear Your Name.
7 May You add days to the king’s days.
May his years span many generations.
8 May he be enthroned before God forever.
Appoint mercy and truth to protect him.
9 So I will sing praise to Your Name forever,
to fulfill my vows day after day.
18 Then King David went in and sat before Adonai and said, “Who am I, my Lord Adonai, and what is my family, that You have brought me this far? 19 Yet this was a small thing in Your eyes, my Lord Adonai—for You have spoken also of Your servant’s house for the distant future. This is a revelation[a] for humanity, my Lord Adonai. 20 What more can David add in speaking to You? For You already know Your servant, my Lord Adonai. 21 For the sake of Your word and according to Your own heart, You have done everything great, revealing this to Your servant. 22 Therefore You are great, my Lord Adonai! For there is none like You, and there is no other God besides You, as we all have heard with our ears. 23 What one nation on earth is like Your people, like Israel, whom God went to redeem for Himself as a people, to make for Himself a Name, to do for You a great thing and awesome deeds for Your land, before Your people whom You redeemed for Yourself from Egypt—driving out nations and their gods? 24 So You established for Yourself Your people Israel as Your very own people forever, and You, Adonai, have become their God.
25 “So now, my Lord Adonai, confirm the word that You have spoken concerning Your servant and his house forever, and do as You have promised. 26 Let Your Name be magnified forever by saying, ‘Adonai-Tzva’ot is God over Israel!’ May the house of Your servant David be established before You. 27 For You, Adonai-Tzva’ot God of Israel, have made a revelation to Your servant saying, ‘I will build you a house.’ Therefore Your servant has found his heart to pray this prayer to You. 28 So now, my Lord Adonai, You alone are God, and Your words are truth, and You have promised Your servant this good thing. 29 So now let it please You to bless the house of Your servant, to continue forever before You. For You, my Lord Adonai, have spoken, and with Your blessing Your servant’s house will be blessed forever.”
17 Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they keep watch over your souls as ones who must give an account. Let them do this with joy and not with groaning, for that would be of no benefit to you.
18 Pray for us, for we are convinced that we have a clear conscience, desiring to conduct ourselves honorably in all things. 19 I especially urge you to do this, so that I may be restored to you sooner.
Closing Blessing
20 Now may the God of shalom, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep by the blood of an everlasting covenant,[a] our Lord Yeshua, 21 make you complete in every good thing to do His will, accomplishing in us what is pleasing in His sight, through Messiah Yeshua. To Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.
Final Greetings
22 But I urge you, brothers and sisters, listen patiently to this word of exhortation, for in fact I have written to you in few words. 23 Know that our brother Timothy has been released. If he comes soon, I will visit you with him.
24 Greet all your leaders and all the kedoshim—those from Italy greet you.
25 Grace be with you all.
Tree of Life (TLV) Translation of the Bible. Copyright © 2015 by The Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society.