A Psalm of David.

1Blessed be the LORD, my rock,

who trains my hands for war,

and my fingers for battle;

2my rock144.2 With Ps 18.2, 2 Sam 22.2: Heb my steadfast love and my fortress,

my stronghold and my deliverer,

my shield and he in whom I take refuge,

who subdues the peoples under him.144.2 Another reading is my people under me

3O LORD, what is man that thou dost regard him,

or the son of man that thou dost think of him?

4Man is like a breath,

his days are like a passing shadow.

5Bow thy heavens, O LORD, and come down!

Touch the mountains that they smoke!

6Flash forth the lightning and scatter them,

send out thy arrows and rout them!

7Stretch forth thy hand from on high,

rescue me and deliver me from the many waters,

from the hand of aliens,

8whose mouths speak lies,

and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.

9I will sing a new song to thee, O God;

upon a ten-stringed harp I will play to thee,

10who givest victory to kings,

who rescuest David thy144.10 Heb his servant.

11Rescue me from the cruel sword,

and deliver me from the hand of aliens,

whose mouths speak lies,

and whose right hand is a right hand of falsehood.

12May our sons in their youth

be like plants full grown,

our daughters like corner pillars

cut for the structure of a palace;

13may our garners be full,

providing all manner of store;

may our sheep bring forth thousands

and ten thousands in our fields;

14may our cattle be heavy with young,

suffering no mischance or failure in bearing;

may there be no cry of distress in our streets!

15Happy the people to whom such blessings fall!

Happy the people whose God is the LORD!