Psalms for Israel: Prayers for Protection & Peace

For the Chief Musician. By David. The fool has said in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt. They have done abominable deeds. There is no one who does good.

The LORD looked down from heaven on the children of men, to see if there were any who understood, who sought after God.

They have all gone aside. They have together become corrupt. There is no one who does good, no, not one.

Have all the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and don’t call on the LORD?

There they were in great fear, for God is in the generation of the righteous.

You frustrate the plan of the poor, because the LORD is his refuge.

Oh that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, then Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.

For the Chief Musician. For a stringed instrument. By David. Hear my cry, God. Listen to my prayer.

From the end of the earth, I will call to you when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

For you have been a refuge for me, a strong tower from the enemy.

I will dwell in your tent forever. I will take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Selah.

For you, God, have heard my vows. You have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

You will prolong the king’s life. His years will be for generations.

He shall be enthroned in God’s presence forever. Appoint your loving kindness and truth, that they may preserve him.

So I will sing praise to your name forever, that I may fulfill my vows daily.

A Psalm by Asaph. Surely God is good to Israel, to those who are pure in heart.

But as for me, my feet were almost gone. My steps had nearly slipped.

For I was envious of the arrogant, when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.

For there are no struggles in their death, but their strength is firm.

They are free from burdens of men, neither are they plagued like other men.

Therefore pride is like a chain around their neck. Violence covers them like a garment.

Their eyes bulge with fat. Their minds pass the limits of conceit.

They scoff and speak with malice. In arrogance, they threaten oppression.

They have set their mouth in the heavens. Their tongue walks through the earth.

Therefore their people return to them, and they drink up waters of abundance.

They say, “How does God know? Is there knowledge in the Most High?”

Behold, these are the wicked. Being always at ease, they increase in riches.

Surely I have cleansed my heart in vain, and washed my hands in innocence,

For all day long I have been plagued, and punished every morning.

If I had said, “I will speak thus”, behold, I would have betrayed the generation of your children.

When I tried to understand this, it was too painful for me—

until I entered God’s sanctuary, and considered their latter end.

Surely you set them in slippery places. You throw them down to destruction.

How they are suddenly destroyed! They are completely swept away with terrors.

As a dream when one wakes up, so, Lord, when you awake, you will despise their fantasies.

For my soul was grieved. I was embittered in my heart.

I was so senseless and ignorant. I was a brute beast before you.

Nevertheless, I am continually with you. You have held my right hand.

You will guide me with your counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

Whom do I have in heaven? There is no one on earth whom I desire besides you.

My flesh and my heart fails, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

For, behold, those who are far from you shall perish. You have destroyed all those who are unfaithful to you.

But it is good for me to come close to God. I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, that I may tell of all your works.

A praise psalm by David. I will exalt you, my God, the King. I will praise your name forever and ever.

Every day I will praise you. I will extol your name forever and ever.

Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised! His greatness is unsearchable.

One generation will commend your works to another, and will declare your mighty acts.

I will meditate on the glorious majesty of your honor, on your wondrous works.

Men will speak of the might of your awesome acts. I will declare your greatness.

They will utter the memory of your great goodness, and will sing of your righteousness.

The LORD is gracious, merciful, slow to anger, and of great loving kindness.

The LORD is good to all. His tender mercies are over all his works.

All your works will give thanks to you, LORD. Your saints will extol you.

They will speak of the glory of your kingdom, and talk about your power,

to make known to the sons of men his mighty acts, the glory of the majesty of his kingdom.

Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom. Your dominion endures throughout all generations. The LORD is faithful in all his words, and loving in all his deeds.

The LORD upholds all who fall, and raises up all those who are bowed down.

The eyes of all wait for you. You give them their food in due season.

You open your hand, and satisfy the desire of every living thing.

The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and gracious in all his works.

The LORD is near to all those who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.

He will fulfill the desire of those who fear him. He also will hear their cry, and will save them.

The LORD preserves all those who love him, but he will destroy all the wicked.

My mouth will speak the praise of the LORD. Let all flesh bless his holy name forever and ever.