A Prayer for Help, and Joy in Its Answer

A psalm of David.

1 To you, O Yahweh, I call.

O my rock, do not be deaf to me.

Or else, if you are silent to me,

then I will become like those descending to the pit.

2 Hear the voice of my supplications

when I cry to you for help,

when I lift up my hands

toward your holy inner sanctuary.

3 Do not drag me away with the wicked

or with the workers of evil,

who speak of peace with their neighbors,

while evil is in their heart.

4 Give to them according to their work,

even according to the evil of their deeds.

Give to them according to the work of their hands;

repay them their rightful due.

5 Because they do not regard the works of Yahweh,

nor the work of his hands,

he will destroy them

and not rebuild them.

6 Blessed is Yahweh,

because he has heard the voice of my supplications.

7 Yahweh is my strength and my shield.

My heart trusts him and I am helped.

So my heart rejoices,

and with my song I will give thanks to him.

8 Yahweh is their strength,

and he is the refuge for the salvation of his anointed one.

9 Save your people

and bless your heritage.

Shepherd them also and carry them always.