Psalms 123; Psalms 124; Psalms 125

1 I look up and pray to you. Your throne is in heaven.

2 Slaves depend on their masters. Maids depend on the women they work for. In the same way, we depend on the LORD our God. We wait for him to show us his favor.

3 Lord, show us your favor. Show us your favor, because people have made so much fun of us.

4 We have had to put up with a lot from those who are proud. They were always laughing at us.

1 Here is what Israel should say. Suppose the LORD had not been on our side.

2 Suppose the LORD had not been on our side when our enemies attacked us.

3 Suppose he had not been on our side when their anger blazed out against us. Then they would have swallowed us alive.

4 They would have been like a flood that drowned us. They would have swept over us like a rushing river.

5 They would have washed us away like a swollen stream.

6 Give praise to the Lord. He has not let our enemies chew us up.

7 We have escaped like a bird from a hunter's trap. The trap has been broken, and we have escaped.

8 Our help comes from the Lord. He is the Maker of heaven and earth.

1 Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion. They will always be secure. They will last forever.

2 Like the mountains around Jerusalem, the LORD is all around his people both now and forever.

3 Evil people will not always rule the land the LORD gave to those who do right. If they did, those who do right might do what is evil.

4 Lord, do good to those who are good. Do good to those whose hearts are honest.

5 But what about those who have taken paths that are crooked? The LORD will drive them out, along with those who do what is evil. May Israel enjoy peace.