Psalm 144 - Contemporary English Version Interconfessional Edition

A Prayer for the Nation

(By David.)

¹ I praise you, Lord! You are my mighty rock, and you teach me how to fight my battles.

² You are my friend, 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 never 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 never 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.