Revised Common Lectionary (Semicontinuous)

¹ Listen to my prayer, O God.
    Do not ignore my cry for help!
² Please listen and answer me,
    for I am overwhelmed by my troubles.
³ My enemies shout at me,
    making loud and wicked threats.
They bring trouble on me
    and angrily hunt me down.

⁴ My heart pounds in my chest.
    The terror of death assaults me.
⁵ Fear and trembling overwhelm me,
    and I can’t stop shaking.
⁶ Oh, that I had wings like a dove;
    then I would fly away and rest!
⁷ I would fly far away
    to the quiet of the wilderness. Interlude
⁸ How quickly I would escape—
    far from this wild storm of hatred.

⁹ Confuse them, Lord, and frustrate their plans,
    for I see violence and conflict in the city.
¹⁰ Its walls are patrolled day and night against invaders,
    but the real danger is wickedness within the city.
¹¹ Everything is falling apart;
    threats and cheating are rampant in the streets.

¹² It is not an enemy who taunts me—
    I could bear that.
It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me—
    I could have hidden from them.
¹³ Instead, it is you—my equal,
    my companion and close friend.
¹⁴ What good fellowship we once enjoyed
    as we walked together to the house of God.

¹⁵ Let death stalk my enemies;
    let the grave^[b] swallow them alive,
    for evil makes its home within them.

² “Shouldn’t someone answer this torrent of words?
    Is a person proved innocent just by a lot of talking?
³ Should I remain silent while you babble on?
    When you mock God, shouldn’t someone make you ashamed?
⁴ You claim, ‘My beliefs are pure,’
    and ‘I am clean in the sight of God.’
⁵ If only God would speak;
    if only he would tell you what he thinks!
⁶ If only he would tell you the secrets of wisdom,
    for true wisdom is not a simple matter.
Listen! God is doubtless punishing you
    far less than you deserve!

⁷ “Can you solve the mysteries of God?
    Can you discover everything about the Almighty?
⁸ Such knowledge is higher than the heavens—
    and who are you?
It is deeper than the underworld^[a]—
    what do you know?
⁹ It is broader than the earth
    and wider than the sea.
¹⁰ If God comes and puts a person in prison
    or calls the court to order, who can stop him?
¹¹ For he knows those who are false,
    and he takes note of all their sins.
¹² An empty-headed person won’t become wise
    any more than a wild donkey can bear a human child.^[b]

¹³ “If only you would prepare your heart
    and lift up your hands to him in prayer!
¹⁴ Get rid of your sins,
    and leave all iniquity behind you.
¹⁵ Then your face will brighten with innocence.
    You will be strong and free of fear.
¹⁶ You will forget your misery;
    it will be like water flowing away.
¹⁷ Your life will be brighter than the noonday.
    Even darkness will be as bright as morning.
¹⁸ Having hope will give you courage.
    You will be protected and will rest in safety.
¹⁹ You will lie down unafraid,
    and many will look to you for help.
²⁰ But the wicked will be blinded.
    They will have no escape.
    Their only hope is death.”