Psalm 85:1-88:18

Psalm 85In Hebrew texts 85:1-13 is numbered 85:2-14. 1For the director of music. Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. You, LORD, showed favor to your land; you restored the fortunes of Jacob.

2You forgave the iniquity of your people and covered all their sins. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here.

3You set aside all your wrath and turned from your fierce anger.

4Restore us again, God our Savior, and put away your displeasure toward us.

5Will you be angry with us forever? Will you prolong your anger through all generations?

6Will you not revive us again, that your people may rejoice in you?

7Show us your unfailing love, LORD, and grant us your salvation.

8I will listen to what God the LORD says; he promises peace to his people, his faithful servants— but let them not turn to folly.

9Surely his salvation is near those who fear him, that his glory may dwell in our land.

10Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.

11Faithfulness springs forth from the earth, and righteousness looks down from heaven.

12The LORD will indeed give what is good, and our land will yield its harvest. 13Righteousness goes before him and prepares the way for his steps.

Psalm 86 1A prayer of David. Hear me, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and needy.

2Guard my life, for I am faithful to you; save your servant who trusts in you. You are my God;

3have mercy on me, Lord, for I call to you all day long.

4Bring joy to your servant, Lord, for I put my trust in you.

5You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you.

6Hear my prayer, LORD ; listen to my cry for mercy.

7When I am in distress, I call to you, because you answer me.

8Among the gods there is none like you, Lord; no deeds can compare with yours.

9All the nations you have made will come and worship before you, Lord; they will bring glory to your name.

10For you are great and do marvelous deeds; you alone are God.

11Teach me your way, LORD, that I may rely on your faithfulness; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name.

12I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart; I will glorify your name forever.

13For great is your love toward me; you have delivered me from the depths, from the realm of the dead.

14Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God; ruthless people are trying to kill me— they have no regard for you.

15But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

16Turn to me and have mercy on me; show your strength in behalf of your servant; save me, because I serve you just as my mother did. 17Give me a sign of your goodness, that my enemies may see it and be put to shame, for you, LORD, have helped me and comforted me.

Psalm 87 1Of the Sons of Korah. A psalm. A song. He has founded his city on the holy mountain.

2The LORD loves the gates of Zion more than all the other dwellings of Jacob.

3Glorious things are said of you, city of God: The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 6.

4“I will record Rahab A poetic name for Egypt and Babylon among those who acknowledge me— Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush That is, the upper Nile region — and will say, ‘This one was born in Zion.’ ” Or “I will record concerning those who acknowledge me: / ‘This one was born in Zion.’ / Hear this, Rahab and Babylon, / and you too, Philistia, Tyre and Cush.”

5Indeed, of Zion it will be said, “This one and that one were born in her, and the Most High himself will establish her.”

6The LORD will write in the register of the peoples: “This one was born in Zion.” 7As they make music they will sing, “All my fountains are in you.”

Psalm 88In Hebrew texts 88:1-18 is numbered 88:2-19. 1A song. A psalm of the Sons of Korah. For the director of music. According to mahalath leannoth. Title: Possibly a tune, “The Suffering of Affliction” A maskil Title: Probably a literary or musical term of Heman the Ezrahite. LORD, you are the God who saves me; day and night I cry out to you.

2May my prayer come before you; turn your ear to my cry.

3I am overwhelmed with troubles and my life draws near to death.

4I am counted among those who go down to the pit; I am like one without strength.

5I am set apart with the dead, like the slain who lie in the grave, whom you remember no more, who are cut off from your care.

6You have put me in the lowest pit, in the darkest depths.

7Your wrath lies heavily on me; you have overwhelmed me with all your waves. The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 10.

8You have taken from me my closest friends and have made me repulsive to them. I am confined and cannot escape;

9my eyes are dim with grief. I call to you, LORD, every day; I spread out my hands to you.

10Do you show your wonders to the dead? Do their spirits rise up and praise you?

11Is your love declared in the grave, your faithfulness in Destruction Hebrew Abaddon ?

12Are your wonders known in the place of darkness, or your righteous deeds in the land of oblivion?

13But I cry to you for help, LORD ; in the morning my prayer comes before you.

14Why, LORD, do you reject me and hide your face from me?

15From my youth I have suffered and been close to death; I have borne your terrors and am in despair.

16Your wrath has swept over me; your terrors have destroyed me.

17All day long they surround me like a flood; they have completely engulfed me. 18You have taken from me friend and neighbor— darkness is my closest friend.