Psalm 59

GOD OUR STRONGHOLD
For the choir director: “Do Not Destroy.” A Miktam of David. When Saul sent agents to watch the house and kill him.

Rescue me from my enemies, my God;
protect me from those who rise up against me.
2 Rescue me from evildoers,
and save me from men of bloodshed.
3 Because look, Lord, they set an ambush for me.
Powerful men attack me,
but not because of any sin or rebellion of mine.
4 For no fault of mine,
they run and take up a position.
Awake to help me, and take notice.
5 Lord God of Armies, you are the God of Israel.
Rise up to punish all the nations;
do not show favor to any wicked traitors. Selah
6 They return at evening, snarling like dogs
and prowling around the city.
7 Look, they spew from their mouths —
sharp words from their lips.
“For who,” they say, “will hear? ”
8 But you laugh at them, Lord;
you ridicule all the nations.
9 I will keep watch for you, my strength,
because God is my stronghold.
10 My faithful God will come to meet me;
God will let me look down on my adversaries.
11 Do not kill them; otherwise, my people will forget.
By your power, make them homeless wanderers
and bring them down,
Lord, our shield.
12 For the sin of their mouths and the words of their lips,
let them be caught in their pride.
They utter curses and lies.
13 Consume them in fury;
consume them until they are gone.
Then people will know throughout the earth
that God rules over Jacob. Selah
14 And they return at evening, snarling like dogs
and prowling around the city.
15 They scavenge for food;
they growl if they are not satisfied.
16 But I will sing of your strength
and will joyfully proclaim
your faithful love in the morning.
For you have been a stronghold for me,
a refuge in my day of trouble.
17 To you, my strength, I sing praises,
because God is my stronghold —
my faithful God.

Psalm 60

PRAYER IN DIFFICULT TIMES
For the choir director: according to “The Lily of Testimony.” A Miktam of David for teaching. When he fought with Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab returned and struck Edom in Salt Valley, killing twelve thousand.

God, you have rejected us;
you have broken us down;
you have been angry. Restore us!
2 You have shaken the land and split it open.
Heal its fissures, for it shudders.
3 You have made your people suffer hardship;
you have given us wine to drink
that made us stagger.
4 You have given a signal flag to those who fear you,
so that they can flee before the archers. Selah
5 Save with your right hand, and answer me,
so that those you love may be rescued.
6 God has spoken in his sanctuary:
“I will celebrate!
I will divide up Shechem.
I will apportion the Valley of Succoth.
7 Gilead is mine, Manasseh is mine,
and Ephraim is my helmet;
Judah is my scepter.
8 Moab is my washbasin.
I throw my sandal on Edom;
I shout in triumph over Philistia.”
9 Who will bring me to the fortified city?
Who will lead me to Edom?
10 God, haven’t you rejected us?
God, you do not march out with our armies.
11 Give us aid against the foe,
for human help is worthless.
12 With God we will perform valiantly;
he will trample our foes.

Psalm 61

SECURITY IN GOD
For the choir director: on stringed instruments. Of David.

God, hear my cry;
pay attention to my prayer.
2 I call to you from the ends of the earth
when my heart is without strength.
Lead me to a rock that is high above me,
3 for you have been a refuge for me,
a strong tower in the face of the enemy.
4 I will dwell in your tent forever
and take refuge under the shelter of your wings. Selah
5 God, you have heard my vows;
you have given a heritage
to those who fear your name.
6 Add days to the king’s life;
may his years span many generations.
7 May he sit enthroned before God forever.
Appoint faithful love and truth to guard him.
8 Then I will continually sing of your name,
fulfilling my vows day by day.

Acts 28:11–31

ROME AT LAST
11 After three months we set sail in an Alexandrian ship that had wintered at the island, with the Twin Gods as its figurehead. 12 Putting in at Syracuse, we stayed three days. 13 From there, after making a circuit along the coast, we reached Rhegium. After one day a south wind sprang up, and the second day we came to Puteoli. 14 There we found brothers and sisters and were invited to stay a week with them. And so we came to Rome. 15 Now the brothers and sisters from there had heard the news about us and had come to meet us as far as the Forum of Appius and the Three Taverns. When Paul saw them, he thanked God and took courage. 16 When we entered Rome, Paul was allowed to live by himself with the soldier who guarded him.

PAUL’S FIRST INTERVIEW WITH ROMAN JEWS
17 After three days he called together the leaders of the Jews. When they had gathered he said to them, “Brothers, although I have done nothing against our people or the customs of our ancestors, I was delivered as a prisoner from Jerusalem into the hands of the Romans. 18 After they examined me, they wanted to release me, since there was no reason for the death penalty in my case. 19 Because the Jews objected, I was compelled to appeal to Caesar; even though I had no charge to bring against my people. 20 For this reason I’ve asked to see you and speak to you. In fact, it is for the hope of Israel that I’m wearing this chain.”

21 Then they said to him, “We haven’t received any letters about you from Judea. None of the brothers has come and reported or spoken anything evil about you. 22 But we want to hear what your views are, since we know that people everywhere are speaking against this sect.”

THE RESPONSE TO PAUL’S MESSAGE
23 After arranging a day with him, many came to him at his lodging. From dawn to dusk he expounded and testified about the kingdom of God. He tried to persuade them about Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets. 24 Some were persuaded by what he said, but others did not believe.

25 Disagreeing among themselves, they began to leave after Paul made one statement: “The Holy Spirit was right in saying to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah 26 when he said,

Go to these people and say:

You will always be listening,

but never understanding;

and you will always be looking,

but never perceiving.

27 For the hearts of these people

have grown callous,

their ears are hard of hearing,

and they have shut their eyes;

otherwise they might see with their eyes

and hear with their ears,

understand with their heart

and turn,

and I would heal them.

28 Therefore, let it be known to you that this salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles; they will listen.”

PAUL’S MINISTRY UNHINDERED
30 Paul stayed two whole years in his own rented house. And he welcomed all who visited him, 31 proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness and without hindrance.

— Acts 28:11-31 (CSB)