ISV(i)
1 To the Director: An instruction of the Sons of Korah.
A Prayer in Times of Defeat God, we heard it with our ears; our ancestors told us about what you did in their day— a long time ago.
2 With your hand you expelled the nations and established our ancestors. You afflicted nations and cast them out.
3 It was not with their sword that they inherited the land, nor did their own arm deliver them. But it was by your power, your strength, and by the light of your face; because you were pleased with them.
4 You are my king, God, command victories for Jacob.
5 Through you we will knock down our oppressors; through your name we will tread down those who rise up against us.
6 For I place no confidence in my bow, nor will my sword deliver me.
7 For you delivered us from our oppressors and put to shame those who hate us.
8 We will praise God all day long; and to your name we will give thanks forever. Interlude
9 However, you cast us off and made us ashamed! You did not even march with our armies!
10 You made us retreat from our oppressors. Our enemies ransacked us.
11 You handed us over to be slaughtered like sheep and you scattered us among the nations.
12 You sold out your people for nothing, and made no profit at that price.
13 You made us a laughing stock to our neighbors, a source of mockery and derision to those around us.
14 You made us an object lesson among the nations; people shake their heads at us.
15 My dishonor tortures me continuously; the shame on my face overwhelms me
16 because of the voice of the one who mocks and reviles, because of the enemy and the avenger.
17 All this came upon us, yet we did not forsake you, and we have not dealt falsely with your covenant;
18 Our hearts have not turned away; our steps have not swerved from your path.
19 Nevertheless, you crushed us in the lair of jackals, and covered us in deep darkness.
20 If we had forgotten the name of our God or lifted our hands to a foreign god,
21 wouldn’t God find out since he knows the secrets of the heart?
22 For your sake we are being killed all day long. We are thought of as sheep to be slaughtered.
23 Wake up! Why are you asleep, Lord? Get up! Don’t cast us off forever!
24 Why are you hiding your face? Why are you ignoring our affliction and oppression?
25 For we have collapsed in the dust; our bodies cling to the ground.
26 Arise! Deliver us! Redeem us according to your gracious love!
45 1To the Director: An instruction by the Sons of Korah. A love song to the tune of “Lilies”.
A Royal Wedding Song My heart is overflowing with good news; I speak what I have composed to the king; my tongue is like the pen of an articulate scribe.
2 You are the most handsome of Adam’s descendants; grace has anointed your lips; therefore God has blessed you forever.
3 Strap your sword to your side, mighty warrior, along with your honor and majesty.
4 In your majesty ride forth for the cause of truth, humility, and righteousness; and your strong right hand will teach you awesome things.
5 Your arrows are sharpened to penetrate the hearts of the king’s enemies. People will fall under you.
6 Your throne, God, exists forever and ever, and the scepter of your kingdom is a righteous scepter.
7 You love justice and hate wickedness. That is why God, even your God, has anointed you rather than your companions with the oil of gladness.
8 All your clothes are scented with myrrh, aloes, and cassia. From ivory palaces stringed instruments have made you glad.
9 The king’s daughters are among your honorable women; the queen, dressed in gold from Ophir, has taken her place at your right hand.”
10 Listen, daughter! Consider and pay attention. Forget your people and your father’s house,
11 and the king will greatly desire your beauty. Because he is your lord, you should bow in respect before him.
12 The daughter of Tyre will come with a wedding gift; wealthy people will entreat your favor.
13 In her chamber, the king’s daughter is glorious; her clothing is embroidered with gold thread.
14 In embroidered garments she is presented to the king. Her virgin companions who follow her train will be presented to you.
15 Filled with joy and gladness, they are presented when they enter the king’s palace.
16 Your sons will take the place of your ancestors, and you will set them up as princes in all the earth.
17 From generation to generation, I will cause your name to be remembered. Therefore people will thank you forever and ever.
46 1To the Director: A song by the Sons of Korah, to the tune of “The Maidens”.
God is the Refuge of His People God is our refuge and strength, a great help in times of distress.
2 Therefore we will not be frightened when the earth roars, when the mountains shake in the depths of the seas,
3 when its waters roar and rage, when the mountains tremble despite their pride. Interlude
4 Look! There is a river whose streams make the city of God rejoice, even the Holy Place of the Most High.
5 Since God is in her midst, she will not be shaken. God will help her at the break of dawn.
6 The nations roared; the kingdoms were shaken.
A Prayer in Times of Defeat
45 1
A Royal Wedding Song
46 1
God is the Refuge of His People