A well-written song by Ethan the Ezrachite. I will sing continually about the Lord's faithful deeds; to future generations I will proclaim your faithfulness.

Equity and justice are the foundation of your throne. Loyal love and faithfulness characterize your rule.

The Lord said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have made a promise on oath to David, my servant:

How blessed are the people who worship you! O Lord, they experience your favor.

I will not break my covenant or go back on what I promised.

Then you spoke through a vision to your faithful followers and said: "I have energized a warrior; I have raised up a young man from the people.

I will appoint him to be my firstborn son, the most exalted of the earth's kings.

I have discovered David, my servant. With my holy oil I have anointed him as king.

a God who is honored in the great angelic assembly, and more awesome than all who surround him?

For who in the skies can compare to the Lord? Who is like the Lord among the heavenly beings,

He will call out to me, 'You are my father, my God, and the protector who delivers me.'

O Lord, the heavens praise your amazing deeds, as well as your faithfulness in the angelic assembly.

The heavens belong to you, as does the earth. You made the world and all it contains.

No man can live on without experiencing death, or deliver his life from the power of Sheol. (Selah)

For I say, "Loyal love is permanently established; in the skies you set up your faithfulness."

If his sons reject my law and disobey my regulations,

O Lord, sovereign God! Who is strong like you, O Lord? Your faithfulness surrounds you.

Once and for all I have vowed by my own holiness, I will never deceive David.

You rule over the proud sea. When its waves surge, you calm them.

But you have spurned and rejected him; you are angry with your chosen king.

I will always extend my loyal love to him, and my covenant with him is secure.

Where are your earlier faithful deeds, O Lord, the ones performed in accordance with your reliable oath to David?

You crushed the Proud One and killed it; with your strong arm you scattered your enemies.

I will give you an eternal dynasty and establish your throne throughout future generations.'" (Selah)

I will give him an eternal dynasty, and make his throne as enduring as the skies above.

For our shield belongs to the Lord, our king to the Holy One of Israel.

But I will not remove my loyal love from him, nor be unfaithful to my promise.

You created the north and the south. Tabor and Hermon rejoice in your name.

His dynasty will last forever. His throne will endure before me, like the sun,

How long, O Lord, will this last? Will you remain hidden forever? Will your anger continue to burn like fire?

Your arm is powerful, your hand strong, your right hand victorious.

For you give them splendor and strength. By your favor we are victorious.

it will remain stable, like the moon, his throne will endure like the skies." (Selah)

Take note, O Lord, of the way your servants are taunted, and of how I must bear so many insults from people!

I will punish their rebellion by beating them with a club, their sin by inflicting them with bruises.

He will experience my faithfulness and loyal love, and by my name he will win victories.

Take note of my brief lifespan! Why do you make all people so mortal?

They rejoice in your name all day long, and are vindicated by your justice.

if they break my rules and do not keep my commandments,

The Lord deserves praise forevermore! We agree! We agree!

You have repudiated your covenant with your servant; you have thrown his crown to the ground.

My hand will support him, and my arm will strengthen him.

Your enemies, O Lord, hurl insults; they insult your chosen king as they dog his footsteps.

No enemy will be able to exact tribute from him; a violent oppressor will not be able to humiliate him.

I will place his hand over the sea, his right hand over the rivers.

You have broken down all his walls; you have made his strongholds a heap of ruins.

I will crush his enemies before him; I will strike down those who hate him.

You have cut short his youth, and have covered him with shame. (Selah)

All who pass by have robbed him; he has become an object of disdain to his neighbors.

You have brought to an end his splendor, and have knocked his throne to the ground.

You turn back his sword from the adversary, and have not sustained him in battle.

You have allowed his adversaries to be victorious, and all his enemies to rejoice.