Study Desk

A psalm of the sons of Korah. A song.

His foundation is on the holy mountains.^(a)

The Lord loves the gates of Zion more than all the dwellings of Jacob.^(b)

Glorious things are said about you, city of God.^(c) Selah

"I will mention those who know Me: Rahab, Babylon, Philistia, Tyre, and Cush— each one was born there."^(d)

And it will be said of Zion, "This one and that one were born in her." The Most High Himself will establish her.^(e)

When He registers the peoples, the Lord will record, "This one was born there."^(f) Selah

Singers and dancers alike will say, "My whole source of joy is^[a] in you."^(g)

A song. A psalm of the sons of Korah. For the choir director: according to Mahalath Leannoth. A Maskil of Heman the Ezrahite.^(a)

Lord , God of my salvation, I cry out before You day and night.^(b)

May my prayer reach Your presence; listen to my cry.^(c)

For I have had enough troubles, and my life is near Sheol.^(d)

I am counted among those going down to the Pit.^(e) I am like a man without strength,^(f)

abandoned^[a] among the dead. I am like the slain lying in the grave,^(g) whom You no longer remember, and who are cut off from Your care.^[b](h)

You have put me in the lowest part of the Pit, in the darkest places, in the depths.⁽ⁱ⁾

Your wrath weighs heavily on me;^(j) You have overwhelmed me with all Your waves.^(k) Selah

You have distanced my friends from me; You have made me repulsive to them.^(l) I am shut in and cannot go out.

My eyes are worn out from crying.^(m) Lord , I cry out to You all day long;⁽ⁿ⁾ I spread out my hands to You.^(o)

Do You work wonders for the dead? Do departed spirits rise up to praise You?^(p) Selah

Will Your faithful love be declared in the grave, Your faithfulness in Abaddon?^(q)

Will Your wonders be known in the darkness or Your righteousness in the land of oblivion?^(r)

But I call to You for help, Lord ; in the morning my prayer meets You.^(s)

Lord , why do You reject me?^(t) Why do You hide Your face from me?^(u)

From my youth, I have been afflicted and near death. I suffer Your horrors; I am desperate.^(v)

Your wrath sweeps over me; Your terrors destroy me.^(w)

They surround me like water all day long; they close in on me from every side.^(x)

You have distanced loved one and neighbor from me; darkness is my only friend.^[c](y)