26 The sailors aboard ship rose toward the sky.

They plunged into the depths.

Their courage melted in the face of disaster.

27 They reeled and staggered like drunks, and all their skills as sailors became useless.

28 In their distress they cried out to Yahweh.

He led them from their troubles.

29 He made the storm calm down, and the waves became still.

30 The sailors were glad that the storm was quiet.

He guided them to the harbor they had longed for.

31 Let them give thanks to Yahweh because of his mercy.

He performed his miracles for Adam's descendants.

32 Let them glorify him when the people are gathered for worship.

Let them praise him in the company of respected leaders.

33 He changes rivers into a desert, springs into thirsty ground, 34 and fertile ground into a layer of salt because of the wickedness of the people living there.

35 He changes deserts into lakes and dry ground into springs.

36 There he settles those who are hungry, and they build cities to live in.

37 They plant in fields and vineyards that produce crops.

38 He blesses them, and their numbers multiply, and he does not allow a shortage of cattle.

39 They became few in number and were humiliated because of oppression, disaster, and sorrow.

40 He poured contempt on their influential people and made them stumble around in a pathless desert.

41 But now he lifts needy people high above suffering and makes their families like flocks.

42 Decent people will see this and rejoice, but all the wicked people will shut their mouths.

43 Let those who think they are wise pay attention to these things so that they may understand Yahweh's blessings.

Psalm 108a A song; a psalm by David.

1 My heart is confident, O Elohim.

I want to sing and make music even with my soul.b 2 Wake up, harp and lyre!

I want to wake up at dawn.

3 I want to give thanks to you among the people, O Yahweh .

I want to make music to praise you among the nations 4 because your mercy is higher than the heavens.

Your truth reaches the skies.

5 May you be honored above the heavens, O Elohim.

Let your glory extend over the whole earth.

6 Save us with your powerful hand, and answer us so that those who are dear to you may be rescued.

7 Elohim has promised the following through his holiness: "I will triumph!

I will divide Shechem.

I will measure the valley of Succoth.

8 Gilead is mine.

Manasseh is mine.

Ephraim is the helmet on my head.

Judah is my scepter.

9 Moab is my washtub.

I will throw my shoe over Edom.

I will shout in triumph over Philistia."

10 Who will bring me into the fortified city?

Who will lead me to Edom?

11 Isn't it you, O Elohim, who rejected us?

Isn't it you, O Elohim, who refused to accompany our armies?

12 Give us help against the enemy because human assistance is worthless.

13 With Elohim we will display great strength.

He will trample our enemies.

Psalm 109 For the choir director; a psalm by David.

1 O Elohim, whom I praise, do not turn a deaf ear to me.

2 Wicked and deceitful people have opened their mouths against me.

They speak against me with lying tongues.

3 They surround me with hateful words.

They fight against me for no reason.

4 In return for my love, they accuse me, but I pray for them.a 5 They reward me with evil instead of good and with hatred instead of love.

6 I said, "Appoint the evil one to oppose him.

Let Satan stand beside him.

7 When he stands trial, let him be found guilty.

Let his prayer be considered sinful.

8 Let his days be few in number.

Let someone else take his position.

9 "Let his children become fatherless and his wife a widow.

10 Let his children wander around and beg.

Let them seek help far from their ruined homes.

11 Let a creditor take everything he owns.

Let strangers steal what he has worked for.

12 Let no one be kind to him anymore.

Let no one show any pity to his fatherless children.

13 Let his descendants be cut off and their family name be wiped out by the next generation.

14 Let Yahweh remember the guilt of his ancestors and not wipe out his mother's sin.

15 Let their guilt and sin always remain on record in front of Yahweh.

Let Yahweh remove every memory of himb from the earth, 16 because he did not remember to be kind.

"He drove oppressed, needy, and brokenhearted people to their graves.

17 He loved to put curses on others, so he, too, was cursed.

He did not like to bless others, so he never received a blessing.

18 He wore cursing as though it were clothing, so cursing entered his body like water and his bones like oil.

19 Let cursing be his clothing, a belt he always wears."

20 This is how Yahweh rewards those who accuse me, those who say evil things against me.

21 O Yahweh Adonay , deal with me out of the goodness of your name.

Rescue me because of your mercy.

22 I am oppressed and needy.

I can feel the pain in my heart.

23 I fade away like a lengthening shadow.

I have been shaken off like a grasshopper.

24 My knees give way because I have been fasting.

My body has become lean, without any fat.

25 I have become the victim of my enemies' insults.

They look at me and shake their heads.

26 Help me, O Yahweh my Elohim .

Save me because of your mercy.

27 Then they will know that this is your doing, that you, O Yahweh, are the one who saved me.

28 They may curse, but you will bless.

Let those who attack me be ashamed, but let me rejoice.

29 Let those who accuse me wear disgrace as though it were clothing.

Let them be wrapped in their shame as though it were a robe.

30 With my mouth I will give many thanks to Yahweh .

I will praise him among many people, 31 because he stands beside needy people to save them from those who would condemn them to death.

Psalm 110 A psalm by David.