Psalm 60

 

1 O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.

2 Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh.

3 Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.

4 Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.

5 That thy beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me.

6 God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth.

7 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver;

8 Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me.

9 Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom?

10 Wilt not thou, O God, which hadst cast us off? and thou, O God, which didst not go out with our armies?

11 Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.

12 Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.

Prayer:

O God, our Rock and Redeemer, we approach You with humble hearts, reflecting on the words of Psalm 60. We acknowledge that at times, it feels as if You have cast us off and scattered us, and Your displeasure weighs upon us. Yet, we earnestly pray, "O turn thyself to us again."

The earth trembles, and breaches abound. We implore You to heal the brokenness, for the foundations shake. In the midst of hard things and the wine of astonishment, we cling to You. You have given a banner to those who fear You, a symbol of truth to be displayed. We ask for deliverance for Your beloved, saved by Your right hand.

In Your holiness, You have spoken. We rejoice in Your promises, and we look to the territories You have declared to be Yours—Shechem, the valley of Succoth, Gilead, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Judah. Over Moab, Edom, and Philistia, Your victory is declared.

We seek Your guidance into the strong city and Edom, asking, "Wilt not thou, O God, which hadst cast us off?" Give us help from trouble, for we recognize the vanity of human assistance. Through You, we shall do valiantly, for You are the One who treads down our enemies.

In the name of Jesus, our Savior and Sustainer, we pray.

Amen.

Psalm 59

 

1 Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.

2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men.

3 For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O Lord.

4 They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold.

5 Thou therefore, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.

6 They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.

7 Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?

8 But thou, O Lord, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision.

9 Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence.

10 The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.

11 Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield.

12 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak.

13 Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah.

14 And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city.

15 Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.

16 But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble.

17 Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.

Prayer:

Gracious and Almighty God, we lift our hearts to You as we read the words of Psalm 59. Deliver us from our enemies, O our God; defend us against those who rise up against us. Save us from the workers of iniquity and from those who seek to harm us with violence.

We acknowledge that our enemies lie in wait for our souls, and the mighty gather against us, not for our transgressions or sins, but out of malice. We cry out to You, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel, asking You to awake and visit all those who act wickedly. Be not merciful to those who transgress without cause.

They make noise like dogs, belching out threats with swords in their lips, but we trust in You. You, O Lord, shall laugh at them and have all the heathen in derision. We wait upon Your strength, for You are our defense.

The God of our mercy, prevent us and let us see our desire upon our enemies. Do not slay them, lest Your people forget; instead, scatter them by Your power and bring them down, O Lord our shield.

For the sin of their mouths and the words of their lips, let them be taken in their pride. Consume them in Your wrath, that they may not be, and let them know that You rule in Jacob unto the ends of the earth.

As we face challenges, we declare that we will sing of Your power and mercy in the morning. You have been our defense and refuge in the day of trouble. To You, our strength, we sing, for God is our defense and the God of our mercy.

In the name of Jesus, our Rock and Redeemer, we pray.

Amen.

Psalm 58

 

1 Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?

2 Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth.

3 The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.

4 Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear;

5 Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely.

6 Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O Lord.

7 Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bendeth his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.

8 As a snail which melteth, let every one of them pass away: like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun.

9 Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath.

10 The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.

11 So that a man shall say, Verdictly there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judgeth in the earth.

Prayer:

Righteous and just God, we come before You, acknowledging Your sovereignty and seeking Your guidance and protection. As the psalmist expressed in Psalm 58, we observe the workings of wickedness in the hearts of men and the deceitful ways that lead to violence on the earth.

The wicked seem estranged from righteousness, going astray from birth and speaking lies. Their poison is compared to that of a serpent, and they turn a deaf ear to the voice of reason and wisdom. We bring before You our concerns, O God, asking for Your intervention.

Break the teeth of those who speak deceit and wickedness; silence the roaring of the young lions. Let their schemes melt away like waters that run continually, and may their plans be thwarted when they bend their bows to shoot arrows of harm.

As a snail melts away, let every scheme of the wicked pass away. May their efforts be unfulfilled, and their pursuits come to nothing. In Your righteous judgment, swiftly and justly remove them as with a whirlwind, both in their living state and in Your wrath.

We declare our trust in Your justice, knowing that the righteous shall rejoice when they witness Your vengeance. We acknowledge that there is a reward for the righteous, and You are the God who judges in the earth.

In the name of Jesus, our Savior and Redeemer, we lift up this prayer.

Amen.

Psalm 57

 

1 Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be overpast.

2 I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me.

3 He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.

4 My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.

5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.

6 They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah.

7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.

8 Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.

9 I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.

10 For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.

11 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth.

Prayer:

Merciful and trustworthy God, we come before You with humble hearts, echoing the plea of the psalmist in Psalm 57. Be merciful unto us, O God, for our souls trust in You. In the shadow of Your wings, we find refuge, seeking solace until the calamities that surround us are overpast.

We cry out to God most high, the One who performs all things for us. Send forth Your heavenly deliverance and save us from the reproach of those who seek to harm us. Let Your mercy and truth prevail.

Our souls feel surrounded by lions, and we lie among those set on fire, whose weapons are like spears and arrows, and their words a sharp sword. Yet, we declare, "Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth."

In the face of schemes and pitfalls prepared for us, we find comfort in the knowledge that those who dig a pit for us may fall into it themselves. Our hearts are fixed on You, O God; we will sing and give praise. We awaken our instruments of worship, and early in the morning, we lift our voices in gratitude.

We praise You, O Lord, among the people, and we sing unto You among the nations. Your mercy reaches to the heavens, and Your truth extends to the clouds. With hearts full of adoration, we declare, "Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth."

In the name of Jesus, our Redeemer, we pray.

Amen.

Psalm 56

 

1 Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me.

2 Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.

3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.

4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.

5 Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.

6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.

7 Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God.

8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?

9 When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.

10 In God will I praise his word: in the Lord will I praise his word.

11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

12 Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.

13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

Prayer:

Merciful Father, we come before You with hearts that long for Your compassion and grace, just as the psalmist did in Psalm 56. We acknowledge that adversaries surround us, seeking to swallow us up and oppress us daily. Many are the challenges we face, O Most High God.

In moments of fear, we choose to trust in You, recognizing that You are our refuge and strength. In You, we find praise for Your steadfast word, and we declare our trust in You, refusing to fear the actions of mere mortals.

Lord, our words are wrested, and thoughts are plotted against us for evil. Enemies gather, hide, and mark our steps, waiting for our souls. We appeal to Your righteous anger, asking that those who seek to harm us may be cast down by their iniquity.

You, O God, know our wanderings and collect our tears in Your bottle. Nothing is hidden from Your sight; our struggles and sorrows are recorded in Your book. When we cry out to You, we trust that our enemies will turn back, for You are for us.

In You, we put our trust and praise Your word. We declare our commitment to fearlessly face what man may do, knowing that You are with us. Our vows are upon You, O God, and we render praises unto You.

For You have delivered our souls from death, and we trust that You will continue to deliver our feet from falling. Enable us to walk before You in the light of the living, as we place our faith in You.

In the name of Jesus, our Redeemer, we pray.

Amen.

Psalm 55

1 Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication. 2 Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise; 3 Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me. 4 My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me. 5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me. 6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest. 7 Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah. 8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest. 9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city. 10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it. 11 Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets. 12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: 13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. 14 We took sweet counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. 15 Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them. 16 As for me, I will call upon God, and the Lord shall save me. 17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice. 18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me. 19 God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abideth of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God. 20 He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant. 21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords. 22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. 23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, we lift our voices to You, as the psalmist did in Psalm 55, seeking Your attentive ear to our prayers and supplications. We are in a place of mourning, making a noise because of the voices of the enemy and the oppression that surrounds us. Iniquity is cast upon us, and wrath is directed at us, causing our hearts to be sorely pained.

As fearfulness, trembling, and horror overwhelm us, we long for the wings of a dove to fly away and find rest. We yearn to wander far off, seeking refuge in the wilderness of Your love. Deliver us from the windy storms and tempests that assail us, granting us a place of safety.

Lord, we see violence and strife in the city, and the wickedness, deceit, and guile that do not depart from the streets. Even those close to us, our equals and acquaintances, have turned against us. We cry out for justice, asking that those who engage in wickedness face the consequences.

In the midst of our trials, we declare that we will call upon You, and You will save us. We commit to pray day and night, knowing that You hear our voices. You have delivered our souls in peace from battles, and we trust in Your sustaining power.

As we cast our burdens upon You, we trust that You will sustain us and keep the righteous from being moved. We declare our trust in You, O God, despite the deceitful and violent acts of others. Bring down those who oppose righteousness, and let Your justice prevail.

In the name of Jesus, our Lord and Savior, we place our trust and confidence in You.

Amen.

Psalm 54

 

1 Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength. 2 Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth. 3 For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah. 4 Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul. 5 He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in thy truth. 6 I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O Lord; for it is good. 7 For he hath[] delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon mine enemies. Prayer:

Abba Father, in the name of Jesus, as we turn to You, we echo the words of Psalm 54, seeking Your help and trusting in Your strength. Save us, O God, by Your name, and judge us by Your mighty power. Hear our prayers, and incline Your ear to the words of our mouths.

We find ourselves surrounded by strangers and oppressors who rise against us. They do not set You before them, but we declare that You are our helper. Lord, be with those who uphold our souls, and let Your presence be our shield.

In Your truth, reward evil to our enemies, and cut off their plans against us. We trust in Your justice and righteousness. As a response to Your deliverance, we freely sacrifice our gratitude and praise. Your name is good, and we lift it up in worship.

You have been our deliverer from trouble, and we have witnessed Your desires upon our enemies. With hearts full of thanksgiving, we place our trust in You, knowing that You are our refuge and strength.

In the name of Jesus, our Savior, we pray.

Amen.