1: (A contemplation by Ethan, the Ezrahite.) I will sing of the lovingkindness of Yahweh forever. With my mouth, I will make known your faithfulness to all generations. 2: I indeed declare, "Love stands firm forever. You established the heavens. Your faithfulness is in them." 3: "I have made a covenant with my chosen one, I have sworn to David, my servant, 4: 'I will establish your seed forever, And build up your throne to all generations.'" Selah. 5: The heavens will praise your wonders, Yahweh; Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones. 6: For who in the skies can be compared to Yahweh? Who among the sons of the heavenly beings is like Yahweh, 7: A very awesome God in the council of the holy ones, To be feared above all those who are around him? 8: Yahweh, God of hosts, who is a mighty one, like you? Yah, your faithfulness is around you. 9: You rule the pride of the sea. When its waves rise up, you calm them. 10: You have broken Rahab in pieces, like one of the slain. You have scattered your enemies with your mighty arm. 11: The heavens are yours, the earth also is yours; The world and its fullness. You have founded them. 12: The north and the south, you have created them. Tabor and Hermon rejoice in your name. 13: You have a mighty arm. Your hand is strong, and your right hand is exalted. 14: Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Lovingkindness and truth go before your face. 15: Blessed are the people who learn to acclaim you. They walk in the light of your presence, Yahweh. 16: In your name do they rejoice all day. In your righteousness, they are exalted. 17: For you are the glory of their strength. In your favor, our horn will be exalted. 18: For our shield belongs to Yahweh; Our king to the Holy One of Israel. 19: Then you spoke in vision to your saints, And said, "I have bestowed strength on the warrior. I have exalted a young man from the people. 20: I have found David, my servant. I have anointed him with my holy oil, 21: With whom my hand shall be established. My arm will also strengthen him. 22: No enemy will tax him. No wicked man will oppress him. 23: I will beat down his adversaries before him, And strike those who hate him. 24: But my faithfulness and my lovingkindness will be with him. In my name, his horn will be exalted. 25: I will set his hand also on the sea, And his right hand on the rivers. 26: He will call to me, 'You are my Father, My God, and the rock of my salvation!' 27: I will also appoint him my firstborn, The highest of the kings of the earth. 28: I will keep my lovingkindness for him forevermore. My covenant will stand firm with him. 29: I will also make his seed endure forever, And his throne as the days of heaven. 30: If his children forsake my law, And don't walk in my ordinances; 31: If they break my statutes, And don't keep my commandments; 32: Then I will punish their sin with the rod, And their iniquity with stripes. 33: But I will not completely take my lovingkindness from him, Nor allow my faithfulness to fail. 34: I will not break my covenant, Nor alter what my lips have uttered. 35: Once have I sworn by my holiness, I will not lie to David. 36: His seed will endure forever, His throne like the sun before me. 37: It will be established forever like the moon, The faithful witness in the sky." Selah. 38: But you have rejected and spurned. You have been angry with your anointed. 39: You have renounced the covenant of your servant. You have defiled his crown in the dust. 40: You have broken down all his hedges. You have brought his strongholds to ruin. 41: All who pass by the way rob him. He has become a reproach to his neighbors. 42: You have exalted the right hand of his adversaries. You have made all of his enemies rejoice. 43: Yes, you turn back the edge of his sword, And haven't supported him in battle. 44: You have ended his splendor, And thrown his throne down to the ground. 45: You have shortened the days of his youth. You have covered him with shame. Selah. 46: How long, Yahweh? Will you hide yourself forever? Will your wrath burn like fire? 47: Remember how short my time is! For what vanity have you created all the children of men! 48: What man is he who shall live and not see death, Who shall deliver his soul from the power of Sheol? Selah. 49: Lord, where are your former lovingkindnesses, Which you swore to David in your faithfulness? 50: Remember, Lord, the reproach of your servants, How I bear in my heart the taunts of all the mighty peoples, 51: With which your enemies have mocked, Yahweh, With which they have mocked the footsteps of your anointed one. 52: Blessed be Yahweh forevermore. Amen, and Amen.