The Lord Is My Strength and My Shield

Of David.

¹To you, O Lord, I call;

my rock, be not deaf to me,

lest, if you be silent to me,

I become like those who go down to the pit.

²Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy,

when I cry to you for help,

when I lift up my hands

toward your most holy sanctuary.1

³Do not drag me off with the wicked,

with the workers of evil,

who speak peace with their neighbors

while evil is in their hearts.

⁴Give to them according to their work

and according to the evil of their deeds;

give to them according to the work of their hands;

render them their due reward.

⁵Because they do not regard the works of the Lord

or the work of his hands,

he will tear them down and build them up no more.

⁶Blessed be the Lord!

For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.

⁷The Lord is my strength and my shield;

in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;

my heart exults,

and with my song I give thanks to him.

⁸The Lord is the strength of his people;2

he is the saving refuge of his anointed.

⁹Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!

Be their shepherd and carry them forever.