Psalms 29-32

1Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

2Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name; worship the LORD in the splendor of His holiness.

3The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders; the LORD is heard over many waters.

4The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.

5The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD shatters the cedars of Lebanon.

6He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.

7The voice of the LORD strikes with flames of fire.

8The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh.

9The voice of the LORD twists the oaks and strips the forests bare. And in His temple all cry, “Glory!”

10The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever.

11The LORD gives His people strength; the LORD blesses His people with peace.

1I will exalt You, O LORD, for You have lifted me up and have not allowed my foes to rejoice over me.

2O LORD my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me.

3O LORD, You pulled me up from Sheol; You spared me from descending into the Pit.

4Sing to the LORD, O you His saints, and praise His holy name.

5For His anger is fleeting, but His favor lasts a lifetime. Weeping may stay the night, but joy comes in the morning.

6In prosperity I said, “I will never be shaken.”

7O LORD, You favored me; You made my mountain stand strong. When You hid Your face, I was dismayed.

8To You, O LORD, I called, and I begged my Lord for mercy:

9“What gain is there in my bloodshed, in my descent to the Pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it proclaim Your faithfulness?

10Hear me, O LORD, and have mercy; O LORD, be my helper.”

11You turned my mourning into dancing; You peeled off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

12that my heart may sing Your praises and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks forever.

1In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; save me by Your righteousness.

2Incline Your ear to me; come quickly to my rescue. Be my rock of refuge, the stronghold of my deliverance.

3For You are my rock and my fortress; lead me and guide me for the sake of Your name.

4You free me from the net laid out for me, for You are my refuge.

5Into Your hands I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O LORD, God of truth.

6I hate those who cling to worthless idols, but in the LORD I trust.

7I will be glad and rejoice in Your loving devotion, for You have seen my affliction; You have known the anguish of my soul.

8You have not delivered me to the enemy; You have set my feet in the open.

9Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes fail from sorrow, my soul and body as well.

10For my life is consumed with grief and my years with groaning; my iniquity has drained my strength, and my bones are wasting away.

11Among all my enemies I am a disgrace, and among my neighbors even more. I am dreaded by my friends— they flee when they see me on the street.

12I am forgotten like a dead man, out of mind. I am like a broken vessel.

13For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side. They conspire against me and plot to take my life.

14But I trust in You, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”

15My times are in Your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.

16Make Your face shine on Your servant; save me by Your loving devotion.

17O LORD, let me not be ashamed, for I have called on You. Let the wicked be put to shame; let them lie silent in Sheol.

18May lying lips be silenced— lips that speak with arrogance against the righteous, full of pride and contempt.

19How great is Your goodness which You have laid up for those who fear You, which You have bestowed before the sons of men on those who take refuge in You!

20You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the schemes of men. You conceal them in Your shelter from accusing tongues.

21Blessed be the LORD, for He has shown me His loving devotion in a city under siege.

22In my alarm I said, “I am cut off from Your sight!” But You heard my plea for mercy when I called to You for help.

23Love the LORD, all His saints. The LORD preserves the faithful, but fully repays the arrogant.

24Be strong and courageous, all you who hope in the LORD.

1Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

2Blessed is the man whose iniquity the LORD does not count against him, in whose spirit there is no deceit.

3When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long.

4For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was drained as in the summer heat. Selah

5Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah

6Therefore let all the godly pray to You while You may be found. Surely when great waters rise, they will not come near.

7You are my hiding place. You protect me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

8I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you.

9Do not be like the horse or mule, which have no understanding; they must be controlled with bit and bridle to make them come to you.

10Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but loving devotion surrounds him who trusts in the LORD.

11Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous ones; shout for joy, all you upright in heart.