1. BLESSED BE the Lord, my Rock and my keen and firm Strength, Who teaches my hands to war and my fingers to fight–

2. My Steadfast Love and my Fortress, my High Tower and my Deliverer, my Shield and He in Whom I trust and take refuge, Who subdues my people under me.

3. Lord, what is man that You take notice of him? Or [the] son of man that You take account of him? [Job 7:17; Ps. 8:4; Heb. 2:6.]

4. Man is like vanity and a breath; his days are as a shadow that passes away.

5. Bow Your heavens, O Lord, and come down; touch the mountains, and they shall smoke.

6. Cast forth lightning and scatter [my enemies]; send out Your arrows and embarrass and frustrate them.

7. Stretch forth Your hand from above; rescue me and deliver me out of great waters, from the hands of hostile aliens (tribes around us)

8. Whose mouths speak deceit and whose right hands are right hands [raised in taking] fraudulent oaths.

9. I will sing a new song to You, O God; upon a harp, an instrument of ten strings, will I offer praises to You.

10. You are He Who gives salvation to kings, Who rescues David His servant from the hurtful sword [of evil].

11. Rescue me and deliver me out of the power of [hostile] alien [tribes] whose mouths speak deceit and whose right hands are right hands [raised in taking] fraudulent oaths.

12. When our sons shall be as plants grown large in their youth and our daughters as sculptured corner pillars hewn like those of a palace;

13. When our garners are full, affording all manner of store, and our sheep bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our pastures;

14. When our oxen are well loaded; when there is no invasion [of hostile armies] and no going forth [against besiegers–when there is no murder or manslaughter] and no outcry in our streets;

15. Happy and blessed are the people who are in such a case; yes, happy (blessed, fortunate, prosperous, to be envied) are the people whose God is the Lord!