1A thoughtful song by Ethan, the Ezrahite. I will sing about Yahweh's faithful love forever. With my mouth, I will tell everyone about your faithfulness for all generations.
2Indeed, I declare, “Love stands firm forever. You created the heavens, and your faithfulness is established in them.”
3“I have made an agreement with my chosen one; I have promised David, my servant,”
4“‘I will make your family last forever, and build up your kingdom through all generations.’” (Pause and think about that.)
5The heavens will praise your wonders, Yahweh; your faithfulness will also be praised in the gathering of your holy ones.
6Who in the heavens can compare to Yahweh? Who among the heavenly beings is like Yahweh,
7a God greatly feared in the council of the holy ones, more awe-inspiring than all those around him?
8Yahweh, God of Armies, who is as mighty as you? Your faithfulness surrounds you.
9You rule the raging sea. When its waves rise, you calm them.
10You crushed Rahab like someone who was killed. You scattered your enemies with your powerful arm.
11The heavens belong to you. The earth also belongs to you; the world and everything in it. You created them.
12You created the north and the south. Mount Tabor and Mount Hermon joyfully praise your name.
13You have a mighty arm. Your hand is strong, and your right hand is lifted high.
14Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. Your unfailing love and truth go before you.
15Blessed are the people who know how to celebrate you. They live in the light of your presence, Yahweh.
16They rejoice in your name all day long. They are honored through your righteousness.
17For you are the source of their glorious strength. By your favor, we are honored.
18Our shield belongs to Yahweh; our king belongs to the Holy One of Israel.
19Then you spoke in a vision to your faithful people and said, "I have given strength to a warrior. I have honored a young man from the people."
20"I have found my servant David. I have anointed him with my sacred oil."
21"My hand will support him, and my arm will strengthen him."
22"No enemy will defeat him. No wicked person will oppress him."
23"I will defeat his foes before him and strike down those who hate him."
24"But my faithfulness and my unfailing love will be with him. Through my power, he will be honored."
25I will give him power over the sea and the rivers.
26He will call to me, ‘You are my Father, my God, and the rock who saves me!’
27I will name him my firstborn, the most important of all the kings on earth.
28I will always show him my loyal love, and my agreement with him will stand firm.
29I will make his descendants last forever, and his throne will be as lasting as the heavens.
30If his children abandon my law and do not live by my rules,
31if they break my directions and do not obey my commands,
32then I will punish their sin with a rod, and their wrongdoing with blows.
33But I will not completely take my loyal love away from him, nor will I let my faithfulness fail.
34I will not break my agreement, nor change what I have promised.
35I have sworn once by my holiness, and I will not lie to David.
36His descendants will last forever, and his throne will be like the sun before me.
37It will be established forever like the moon, the faithful witness in the sky. (Selah)
38But you have rejected and scorned. You have been angry with your chosen king.
39You have canceled the agreement with your servant. You have disgraced his crown by throwing it in the dirt.
40You have broken down all his protective walls. You have ruined his strongholds.
41Everyone who passes by robs him. He has become an object of shame to his neighbors.
42You have given power to his opponents. You have made all his enemies happy.
43Yes, you have turned back the blade of his sword, and have not supported him in battle.
44You have ended his glory and thrown his throne to the ground.
45You have cut short his youth and covered him with shame. (Selah)
46How long, Yahweh? Will you hide forever? Will your anger burn like fire?
47Remember how short my life is! You created all people for such a short time!
48Who can live and not experience death? Who can escape the power of the grave? (Selah)
49Lord, where are your past acts of loyal love, which you promised to David with an oath?
50Remember, Lord, the insults your servants endure, how I carry in my heart the taunts of all the powerful nations.
51Your enemies have mocked you, Yahweh; they have mocked your anointed one's every step.
52May Yahweh be praised forever! Amen and Amen.