Psalm 28–29

A Prayer for Help^u

28 O Lord, my defender, I call to you.

Listen to my cry!

If you do not answer me,

I will be among those who go down to the world of the dead.

²Hear me when I cry to you for help,

when I lift my hands towards your holy Temple.

³Do not condemn me with the wicked,

with those who do evil—

those whose words are friendly,

but who have hatred in their hearts.

^4*Punish them for what they have done,

for the evil they have committed.

Punish them for all their deeds;

give them what they deserve!

⁵They take no notice of what the Lord has done

or of what he has made;

so he will punish them

and destroy them for ever.

⁶Give praise to the Lord;

he has heard my cry for help.

⁷The Lord protects and defends me;

I trust in him.

He gives me help and makes me glad;

I praise him with joyful songs.

⁸The Lord protects his people;

he defends and saves his chosen king.

⁹Save your people, Lord,

and bless those who are yours.

Be their shepherd,

and take care of them for ever.

The Voice of the Lord in the Storm^v

29^* Praise the Lord, you heavenly beings;

praise his glory and power.

^2*Praise the Lord’s glorious name;

bow down before the Holy One when he appears.^w

³The voice of the Lord is heard on the seas;

the glorious God thunders,

and his voice echoes over the ocean.

⁴The voice of the Lord is heard

in all its might and majesty.

⁵The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars,

even the cedars of Lebanon.

⁶He makes the mountains of Lebanon jump like calves

and makes Mount Hermon leap like a young bull.

⁷The voice of the Lord makes the lightning flash.

⁸His voice makes the desert shake;

he shakes the desert of Kadesh.

⁹The Lord’s voice shakes the oaks^x

and strips the leaves from the trees

while everyone in his Temple shouts, “Glory to God!”

¹⁰The Lord rules over the deep waters;

he rules as king for ever.

¹¹The Lord gives strength to his people

and blesses them with peace.