Psalms 43; Psalms 44; Psalms 45

1 God, defend me. Argue my case against those who don't follow you. Save me from liars and those who do evil.

2 God, you are my strength. Why have you rejected me? Why am I sad and troubled by my enemies?

3 Send me your light and truth to guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to where you live.

4 Then I will go to the altar of God, to God who is my joy and happiness. I will praise you with a harp, God, my God.

5 Why am I so sad? Why am I so upset? and keep praising him, my Savior and my God.

1 God, we have heard about you. Our ancestors told us what you did in their days, in days long ago.

2 With your power you forced the nations out of the land and placed our ancestors here. You destroyed those other nations, but you made our ancestors grow strong.

3 It wasn't their swords that took the land. It wasn't their power that gave them victory. But it was your great power and strength. You were with them because you loved them.

4 My God, you are my King. Your commands led Jacob's people to victory.

5 With your help we pushed back our enemies. In your name we trampled those who came against us.

6 I don't trust my bow to help me, and my sword can't save me.

7 You saved us from our foes, and you made our enemies ashamed.

8 We will praise God every day; we will praise your name forever.Selah

9 But you have rejected us and shamed us. You don't march with our armies anymore.

10 You let our enemies push us back, and those who hate us have taken our wealth.

11 You gave us away like sheep to be eaten and have scattered us among the nations.

12 You sold your people for nothing and made no profit on the sale.

13 You made us a joke to our neighbors; those around us laugh and make fun of us.

14 You made us a joke to the other nations; people shake their heads.

15 I am always in disgrace, and I am covered with shame.

16 My enemy is getting even with insults and curses.

17 All these things have happened to us, but we have not forgotten you or failed to keep our agreement with you.

18 Our hearts haven't turned away from you, and we haven't stopped following you.

19 But you crushed us in this place where wild dogs live, and you covered us with deep darkness.

20 If we had forgotten our God or lifted our hands in prayer to foreign gods,

21 God would have known, because he knows what is in our hearts.

22 But for you we are in danger of death all the time. People think we are worth no more than sheep to be killed.

23 Wake up, Lord! Why are you sleeping? Get up! Don't reject us forever.

24 Why do you hide from us? Have you forgotten our pain and troubles?

25 We have been pushed down into the dirt; we are flat on the ground.

26 Get up and help us. Because of your love, save us.

1 Beautiful words fill my mind. I am speaking of royal things. My tongue is like the pen of a skilled writer.

2 You are more handsome than anyone, and you are an excellent speaker, so God has blessed you forever.

3 Put on your sword, powerful warrior. Show your glory and majesty.

4 In your majesty win the victory for what is true and right. Your power will do amazing things.

5 Your sharp arrows will enter the hearts of the king's enemies. Nations will be defeated before you.

6 God, your throne will last forever and ever. You will rule your kingdom with fairness.

7 You love right and hate evil, so God has chosen you from among your friends; he has set you apart with much joy.

8 Your clothes smell like myrrh, aloes, and cassia. From palaces of ivory music comes to make you happy.

9 Kings' daughters are among your honored women. Your bride stands at your right side wearing gold from Ophir.

10 Listen to me, daughter; look and pay attention. Forget your people and your father's family.

11 The king loves your beauty. Because he is your master, you should obey him.

12 People from the city of Tyre have brought a gift. Wealthy people will want to meet you.

13 The princess is very beautiful. Her gown is woven with gold.

14 In her beautiful clothes she is brought to the king. Her bridesmaids follow behind her, and they are also brought to him.

15 They come with happiness and joy; they enter the king's palace.

16 You will have sons to replace your fathers. You will make them rulers through all the land.

17 I will make your name famous from now on, so people will praise you forever and ever.