[1] I praise you, LORD! You are my mighty rock, and you teach me how to fight my battles. [2] You are my friend, and you are my fortress where I am safe. You are my shield, and you made me the ruler of our people. [3] Why do we humans mean anything to you, our LORD? Why do you care about us? [4] We disappear like a breath; we last no longer than a faint shadow. [5] Open the heavens like a curtain and come down, LORD. Touch the mountains and make them send up smoke. [6] Use your lightning as arrows to scatter my enemies and make them run away. [7] Reach down from heaven and set me free. Save me from the mighty flood [8] of those lying foreigners who can't tell the truth. [9] In praise of you, our God, I will sing a new song, while playing my harp. [10] By your power, kings win wars, and your servant David is saved from deadly swords. [11] Won't you keep me safe from those lying foreigners who can't tell the truth? [12] Let's pray that our young sons will grow like strong plants and that our daughters will be as lovely as columns in the corner of a palace. [13] May our barns be filled with all kinds of crops. May our fields be covered with sheep by the thousands, [14] and every cow have calves. Don't let our city be captured or any of us be taken away, and don't let cries of sorrow be heard in our streets. [15] Our LORD and our God, you give these blessings to all who worship you.
