1[A [maskil] by Ethan the Ezrahite.] I will sing forever about the evidence of your mercy, O LORD. I will tell about your faithfulness to every generation.

2I said, "Your mercy will last forever. Your faithfulness stands firm in the heavens."

3[You said,] "I have made a promise to my chosen one. I swore this oath to my servant David:

4'I will make your dynasty continue forever. I built your throne to last throughout every generation.' " [Selah]

5O LORD, the heavens praise your miracles and your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones.

6Who in the skies can compare with the LORD? Who among the heavenly beings is like the LORD?

7God is terrifying in the council of the holy ones. He is greater and more awe-inspiring than those who surround him.

8O LORD God of Armies, who is like you? Mighty LORD, even your faithfulness surrounds you.

9You rule the raging sea. When its waves rise, you quiet them.

10You crushed Rahab; it was like a corpse. With your strong arm you scattered your enemies.

11The heavens are yours. The earth is also yours. You made the world and everything in it.

12You created north and south. Mount Tabor and Mount Hermon sing your name joyfully.

13Your arm is mighty. Your hand is strong. Your right hand is lifted high.

14Righteousness and justice are the foundations of your throne. Mercy and truth stand in front of you.

15Blessed are the people who know how to praise you. They walk in the light of your presence, O LORD.

16They find joy in your name all day long. They are joyful in your righteousness

17because you are the glory of their strength. By your favor you give us victory.

18Our shield belongs to the LORD. Our king belongs to the Holy One of Israel.

19Once in a vision you said to your faithful ones: "I set a boy above warriors. I have raised up one chosen from the people.

20I found my servant David. I anointed him with my holy oil.

21My hand is ready to help him. My arm will also give him strength.

22No enemy will take him by surprise. No wicked person will mistreat him.

23I will crush his enemies in front of him and defeat those who hate him.

24My faithfulness and mercy will be with him, and in my name he will be victorious.

25I will put his [left] hand on the sea and his right hand on the rivers.

26He will call out to me, 'You are my Father, my God, and the rock of my salvation.'

27Yes, I will make him the firstborn. He will be the Most High to the kings of the earth.

28My mercy will stay with him forever. My promise to him is unbreakable.

29I will make his dynasty endure forever and his throne like the days of heaven.

30"If his descendants abandon my teachings and do not live by my rules,

31if they violate my laws and do not obey my commandments,

32then with a rod I will punish their rebellion and their crimes with beatings.

33But I will not take my mercy away from him or allow my truth to become a lie.

34I will not dishonor my promise or alter my own agreement.

35On my holiness I have taken an oath once and for all: I will not lie to David.

36His dynasty will last forever. His throne will be in my presence like the sun.

37Like the moon his throne will stand firm forever. It will be like a faithful witness in heaven."

38But you have despised, rejected, and become angry with your anointed one.

39You have refused to recognize the promise to your servant and have thrown his crown into the dirt.

40You have broken through all his walls and have laid his fortified cities in ruins.

41(Everyone who passed by robbed him. He has become the object of his neighbors' scorn.)

42You held the right hand of his enemies high and made all of his adversaries rejoice.

43You even took his sword out of his hand and failed to support him in battle.

44You put an end to his splendor and hurled his throne to the ground.

45You cut short the days of his youth and covered him with shame. [Selah]

46How long, O LORD? Will you hide yourself forever? How long will your anger continue to burn like fire?

47Remember how short my life is! Have you created Adam's descendants for no reason?

48Can a mortal go on living and never see death? Who can set himself free from the power of the grave? [Selah]

49Where is the evidence of your mercy, Lord? You swore an oath to David on [the basis of] your faithfulness.

50Remember, O LORD, how your servant has been insulted. Remember how I have carried in my heart [the insults] from so many people.

51Your enemies insulted [me]. They insulted your Messiah every step he took.

52Thank the LORD forever. Amen and amen!