The priests and Levites carried the ark, the tent where God appeared to his people, ¹  and all the holy items in the tent. ² 

Night and day may you watch over this temple, the place where you promised you would live. ¹  May you answer your servant’s prayer for this place. ² 

When Jeroboam son of Nebat heard the news, he was still in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon. Jeroboam returned from Egypt.

I passed on to the Gate of the Well and the King’s Pool, where there was not enough room for my animal to pass with me.

Then King Ahasuerus responded ¹  to Queen Esther, “Who is this individual? Where is this person to be found who is presumptuous enough ²  to act in this way?”

His children are far ¹  from safety, and they are crushed ²  at the place where judgment is rendered, ³  nor is there anyone to deliver them. ⁴ 

to the land of utter darkness, like the deepest darkness, and the deepest shadow and disorder, ¹  where even the light ²  is like darkness.” ³ 

People ¹  who had seen him will not see him again, and the place where he was will recognize him no longer.

Far from where people live ¹  he sinks a shaft, in places travelers have long forgotten, ²  far from other people he dangles and sways. ³ 

The Lord’s words are absolutely reliable. ¹  They are as untainted as silver purified in a furnace on the ground, where it is thoroughly refined. ² 

Where would I be if I did not believe I would experience the Lord’s favor in the land of the living? ¹ 

My enemies’ taunts cut into me to the bone, ¹  as they say to me all day long, “Where is your God?” ² 

Reveal ¹  your light ²  and your faithfulness! They will lead me, ³  they will escort ⁴  me back to your holy hill, ⁵  and to the place where you live. ⁶ 

Why do you look with envy, ¹  O mountains ²  with many peaks, at the mountain where God has decided to live? ³  Indeed ⁴  the Lord will live there ⁵  permanently!

I sink into the deep mire where there is no solid ground; ¹  I am in ²  deep water, and the current overpowers me.

Be my protector and refuge, ¹  a stronghold where I can be safe! ²  For you are my high ridge ³  and my stronghold.

Remember your people ¹  whom you acquired in ancient times, whom you rescued ²  so they could be your very own nation, ³  as well as Mount Zion, where you dwell!

They say to themselves, ¹  “We will oppress all of them.” ²  They burn down all the places where people worship God in the land. ³ 

Why should the nations say, “Where is their God?” Before our very eyes may the shed blood of your servants be avenged among the nations! ¹ 

but when the hot wind ¹  blows by, it disappears, and one can no longer even spot the place where it once grew.