1A Maskil of Ethan the Ezrachite.¶ 2The kindnesses of the Lord will I for ever sing: from generation to generation will I make known thy faithfulness with my mouth. 3For I have said, To eternity will kindness be built up: the heavens—yea, in these wilt thou establish thy faithfulness. 4"I have made a covenant with my elect, I have sworn unto David my servant, 5Unto eternity will I establish thy seed, and I will build up thy throne, from generation to generation." Selah. 6And the heavens praise thy wonder, O Lord: also thy faithfulness in the assembly of holy ones. 7For who in the sky can be compared unto the Lord? who can be likened unto the Lord among the sons of the mighty? 8God is greatly terrific in the secret council of the holy ones and fear-inspiring over all that are about him. 9O Lord God of hosts, who is powerful, like thee, Eternal! and thy faithfulness is round about thee. 10Thou rulest over the pride of the sea: when its waves are lifted up, thou assuagest them. 11Thou didst crush Rahab as one that is slain: with thy strong arm didst thou scatter thy enemies. 12Thine are the heavens, also thine is the earth: as for the world and what filleth it, thou hast founded them. 13The north and the south—these hast thou created: Tabor and Chermon shall rejoice in thy name. 14Thine is the powerful arm, with might: strong is thy hand, and exalted is thy right hand. 15Righteousness and justice are the prop of thy throne: kindness and truth precede thy presence. 16Happy is the people that know the cornet’s sound: O Lord, in the light of thy countenance will they ever walk firmly. 17In thy name will they be glad all the day, and in thy righteousness will they be exalted. 18For thou art the glory of their strength; and through thy favor will our horn be exalted. 19For of the Lord is our shield; and of the Holy One of Israel is our king. 20Then spokest thou in a vision to thy pious servant, and saidst, "I have bestowed help to one that is mighty; I have exalted a youth out of the people; 21I have found David my servant; with my holy oil have I anointed him; 22With whom my hand shall be firmly established; also my arm shall strengthen him; 23The enemy shall not exact from him like a lender: and the son of injustice shall not afflict him: 24And I will beat down before his face his assailants, and those that hate him will I plague. 25But my faithfulness and my kindness shall be with him: and through my name shall his horn be exalted. 26And I will place on the sea his hand, and on the rivers his right hand. 27He will call unto me, Thou art my father, my God, and the rock of my salvation. 28Also I will appoint my first-born, the highest among the kings of the earth. 29For evermore will I keep for him my kindness, and my covenant shall stand faithfully with him. 30And I appoint for ever his seed, and his throne as the days of heaven. 31If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my ordinances; 32If they profane my statutes, and keep not my commandments: 33Then will I visit with the rod their transgressions, and with plagues their iniquity. 34Nevertheless my kindness will I not make utterly void from him, and I will not act falsely against my faithfulness. 35I will not profane my covenant, and what is gone out of my lips will I not alter. 36One thing have I sworn by my holiness, that I will not lie unto David. 37His seed shall endure for ever, and his throne shall be like the sun before me. 38Like the moon shall it be firmly established for ever, and as this faithful witness in the sky." Selah. 39And yet thou hast east off and despised, thou hast become wroth with thy anointed. 40Thou hast made void the covenant of thy servant: thou hast profaned, down to the ground, his crown. 41Thou hast broken down all his fences: thou hast brought his strong-holds to terror. 42All that pass by the way plunder him: he is become a reproach to his neighbors. 43Thou hast raised up the right hand of his assailants: thou hast caused all his enemies to rejoice. 44Thou hast also turned the edge of his sword, and hast not let him stand erect in the battle. 45Thou hast made his brilliancy cease; and his throne hast thou thrown down to the ground. 46Thou hast shortened the days of his youth: thou hast enshrouded him with shame. Selah. 47How long, Lord, wilt thou hide thyself, continually? how long shall thy fury burn like fire? 48Remember what I am, what my duration is here, for what nothingness thou hast created all sons of men! 49What man is there that can live, and shall not see death? that can deliver his soul from the power of the nether word? Selah. 50Where are thy former kindnesses, O Lord, which thou hast sworn unto David by thy truth? 51Remember, Lord, the disgrace of thy servants; that I bear in my bosom the burden of all the many nations; 52That thy enemies have defied, O Lord; that they have defied the footsteps of thy anointed. Blessed be the Lord for evermore. Amen, and Amen.