The Book of Psalms

A Psalm of David, when he was in the desert of Idumea.

O God, my God: to you, I keep vigil until first light. For you, my soul has thirsted, to you my body, in so many ways.

By a deserted land, both inaccessible and waterless, so I have appeared in the sanctuary before you, in order to behold your virtue and your glory.

For your mercy is better than life itself. It is you my lips will praise.

So will I bless you in my life, and I will lift up my hands in your name.

Let my soul be filled, as if with marrow and fatness; and my mouth will give praise with exultant lips.

When I have remembered you on my bed in the morning, I will meditate on you.

For you have been my helper. And I will exult under the cover of your wings.

My soul has clung close to you. Your right hand has supported me.

Truly, these ones have sought my soul in vain. They will enter into the lower parts of the earth.

They will be delivered into the hand of the sword. They will be the portions of foxes.

Truly, the king will rejoice in God: all those who swear by him will be praised, because the mouth of those who speak iniquity has been blocked.

God, you are my God. I will earnestly seek you. My soul thirsts for you. My flesh longs for you, in a dry and weary land, where there is no water.

So I have seen you in the sanctuary, watching your power and your glory.

Because your loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise you.

So I will bless you while I live. I will lift up my hands in your name.

My soul shall be satisfied as with the richest food. My mouth shall praise you with joyful lips,

when I remember you on my bed, and think about you in the night watches.

For you have been my help. I will rejoice in the shadow of your wings.

My soul stays close to you. Your right hand holds me up.

But those who seek my soul to destroy it shall go into the lower parts of the earth.

They shall be given over to the power of the sword. They shall be jackal food.

But the king shall rejoice in God. Everyone who swears by him will praise him, for the mouth of those who speak lies shall be silenced.