Behold the power of God in the Psalms!

The future proves the past.

Psalm 82:

A Plea for Justice

A Psalm of Asaph.

82 God has taken his place in the divine council;

in the midst of the gods he holds judgment:

2 “How long will you judge unjustly

and show partiality to the wicked? Selah

3 Give justice to the weak and the fatherless;

maintain the right of the afflicted and the destitute.

4 Rescue the weak and the needy;

deliver them from the hand of the wicked.”

5 They have neither knowledge nor understanding,

they walk about in darkness;

all the foundations of the earth are shaken.

6 I say, “You are gods,

sons of the Most High, all of you;

7 nevertheless, you shall die like men,

and fall like any prince.”

8 Arise, O God, judge the earth;

for to thee belong all the nations!

Behold the power of God in the Psalms!

The future proves the past.

Psalm 86:

Supplication for Help against Enemies

A Prayer of David.

86 Incline thy ear, O Lord, and answer me,

for I am poor and needy.

2 Preserve my life, for I am godly;

save thy servant who trusts in thee.

Thou art my God; 3 have mercy on me, O Lord,

for to thee do I cry all the day.

4 Gladden the soul of thy servant,

for to thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.

5 For thou, O Lord, art good and forgiving,

abounding in mercy to all who call on thee.

6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer;

hearken to my cry of supplication.

7 In the day of my trouble I call on thee,

for thou dost answer me.

8 There is none like thee among the gods, O Lord,

nor are there any works like thine.

9 All the nations thou hast made shall come

and bow down before thee, O Lord,

and shall glorify thy name.

10 For thou art great and doest wondrous things,

thou alone art God.

11 Teach me thy way, O Lord,

that I may walk in thy truth;

unite my heart to fear thy name.

12 I give thanks to thee, O Lord my God, with my whole heart,

and I will glorify thy name for ever.

13 For great is thy merciful love toward me;

thou hast delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.

14 O God, insolent men have risen up against me;

a band of ruthless men seek my life,

and they do not set thee before them.

15 But thou, O Lord, art a God merciful and gracious,

slow to anger and abounding in mercy and faithfulness.

16 Turn to me and take pity on me;

give thy strength to thy servant,

and save the son of thy handmaid.

17 Show me a sign of thy favor,

that those who hate me may see and be put to shame

because thou, Lord, hast helped me and comforted me.