A Psalm of David. O LORD, hear my prayer. In Your faithfulness, give ear to my plea; in Your righteousness, answer me.

For the enemy has pursued my soul, crushing my life to the ground, making me dwell in darkness like those long since dead.

My spirit grows faint within me; my heart is dismayed inside me.

I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I consider the work of Your hands.

I stretch out my hands to You; my soul thirsts for You like a parched land. Selah

Answer me quickly, O LORD; my spirit fails. Do not hide Your face from me, or I will be like those who descend to the Pit.

… for I have put my trust in You. Teach me the way I should walk, for to You I lift up my soul.

Deliver me from my enemies, O LORD; I flee to You for refuge.

For the sake of Your name, O LORD, revive me. In Your righteousness, bring my soul out of trouble.

And in Your loving devotion, cut off my enemies. Destroy all who afflict me, for I am Your servant.

The LORD upholds all who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.

He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.

in turn I will mock your calamity; I will sneer when terror strikes you,

They accepted none of my counsel; they despised all my reproof.

So they will eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices.

My son, do not reject the discipline of the LORD, and do not loathe His rebuke;

for the LORD disciplines the one He loves, as does a father the son in whom he delights.

for the LORD will be your confidence and will keep your foot from the snare.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but desire fulfilled is a tree of life.

The heart knows its own bitterness, and no stranger shares in its joy.

Even in laughter the heart may ache, and joy may end in sorrow.

A joyful heart makes a cheerful countenance, but sorrow of the heart crushes the spirit.

A crucible for silver and a furnace for gold, but the LORD is the tester of hearts.

He who mocks the poor insults their Maker; whoever gloats over calamity will not go unpunished.

If you faint in the day of distress, how small is your strength!