1A contemplation by Ethan, the Ezrahite. 2I indeed declare, "Love stands firm forever. 3"I have made a covenant with my chosen one, 4'I will establish your seed forever, 5The heavens will praise your wonders, LORD; 6For who in the skies can be compared to the LORD? 7a very awesome God in the council of the holy ones, 8LORD, God of Hosts, who is a mighty one, like you? 9You rule the pride of the sea. 10You have broken Rahab in pieces, like one of the slain. 11The heavens are yours. 12The north and the south, you have created them. 13You have a mighty arm. 14Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne. 15Blessed are the people who learn to acclaim you. 16In your name they rejoice all day. 17For you are the glory of their strength. 18For our shield belongs to the LORD; 19Then you spoke in vision to your holy ones, 20I have found David, my servant. 21with whom my hand shall be established. 22No enemy will tax him. 23I will beat down his adversaries before him, 24But my faithfulness and my loving kindness will be with him. 25I will set his hand also on the sea, 26He will call to me, 'You are my Father, 27I will also appoint him my firstborn, 28I will keep my loving kindness for him forevermore. 29I will also make his seed endure forever, 30If his children forsake my Law, 31if they break my statutes, 32then I will punish their sin with the rod, 33But I will not completely take my loving kindness from him, 34I will not break my covenant, 35Once have I sworn by my holiness, 36His seed will endure forever, 37It will be established forever like the moon, 38But you have rejected and spurned. 39You have renounced the covenant of your servant. 40You have broken down all his hedges. 41All who pass by the way rob him. 42You have exalted the right hand of his adversaries. 43Yes, you turn back the edge of his sword, 44You have ended his splendor, 45You have shortened the days of his youth. 46How long, LORD? 47Remember how short my time is! 48What man is he who shall live and not see death, 49Lord, where are your former loving kindnesses, 50Remember, Lord, the reproach of your servants, 51With which your enemies have mocked, LORD, 52Blessed be the LORD forevermore.