These things I earnestly remember and pour myself out within me: how I went slowly before the throng and led them in procession to the house of the Mighty One Of Israel, like a bandmaster before his band, timing the steps to the sound of music and the chant of song, with the voice of shouting and praise, a throng keeping festival.
Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me? Hope in the Mighty One Of Israel and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, my Help and my Mighty One.
O my Master, my life is cast down upon me and I find the burden more than I can bear; therefore, will I earnestly remember You from the land of the Jordan River and the summits of Mount Hermon, from the little mountain Mizar.
Roaring deep calls to roaring deep at the thunder of Your waterspouts; all Your breakers and Your rolling waves have gone over me.
Yet my Master will command His loving-kindness in the daytime, and in the night His song shall be with me, a prayer to the Mighty One of my life.
I will say to my Master—my Rock, Why have You forgotten me? Why go I mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?
As with a sword crushing in my bones, my enemies taunt and reproach me, while they say continually to me, Where is your Mighty One?
Why are you cast down, O my inner self? And why should you moan over me and be disquieted within me?
Hope in the Mighty One Of Israel and wait expectantly for Him, for I shall yet praise Him, Who is the help of my countenance, and my Mighty One.
The Faithful Have Vanished
Psalms 12:1-8
1 To the Chief Musician; set [possibly] an octave below. A Psalm of David. HELP, MASTER! For principled and righteous people are here no more; faithfulness and the faithful vanish from among the sons of men.
To his neighbor each one speaks words without use or worth or truth; with flattering lips and double heart [deceitfully] they speak.
May the Master cut off all flattering lips and the tongues that speak proud boasting,
Those who say, With our tongues we prevail; our lips are our own [to command at our will]–who is lord and master over us?