Psalms 87; Psalms 88; Romans 13

1 The LORD has built his city on the holy mountain.

2 He loves the city of Zion more than all of the other places where the people of Jacob live.

3 City of God, the LORD says glorious things about you. "Selah"

4 He says, "I will include Egypt and Babylon in a list of those who recognize me as king. I will also include Philistia and Tyre, along with Cush. I will say about them, 'They were born in Zion.' "

5 Certainly it will be said about Zion, "This nation and that nation were born in her. The Most High God himself will make her secure."

6 Here is what the LORD will write in his list of the nations. "Each of them was born in Zion." "Selah"

7 As they make music they will sing, "Zion, all of our blessings come from you."

1 Lord, you are the God who saves me. Day and night I cry out to you.

2 Please hear my prayer. Pay attention to my cry for help.

3 I have so many troubles I'm about to die.

4 People think my life is over. I'm like someone who doesn't have any strength.

5 People treat me as if I were dead. I'm like those who have been killed and are now in the grave. You don't even remember them anymore. They are cut off from your care.

6 It seems as if you have put me deep down in the grave, that deep and dark place.

7 Your burning anger lies heavy on me. All the waves of your anger have crashed over me. "Selah"

8 You have taken my closest friends away from me. You have made me sickening to them. I feel trapped. I can't escape.

9 I'm crying so much I can't see very well. Lord, I call out to you every day. I lift up my hands to you in prayer.

10 Do you work miracles for those who are dead? Do dead people rise up and praise you? "Selah"

11 Do those who are dead speak about your love? Do those who are in the grave tell how faithful you are?

12 Are your miracles known in that dark place? Are your holy acts known in that land where the dead are forgotten?

13 Lord, I cry out to you for help. In the morning I pray to you.

14 Lord, why do you say no to me? Why do you turn your face away from me?

15 I've been in pain ever since I was young. I've been close to death. You have made me suffer terrible things. I have lost all hope.

16 Your burning anger has swept over me. Your terrors have destroyed me.

17 All day long they surround me like a flood. They have closed in all around me.

18 You have taken my companions and loved ones away from me. The darkness is my closest friend.

1 All of you must be willing to obey completely those who rule over you. There are no authorities except the ones God has chosen. Those who now rule have been chosen by God.

2 So when you oppose the authorities, you are opposing those whom God has appointed. Those who do that will be judged.

3 If you do what is right, you won't need to be afraid of your rulers. But watch out if you do what is wrong! You don't want to be afraid of those in authority, do you? Then do what is right. The one in authority will praise you.

4 He serves God and will do you good. But if you do wrong, watch out! The ruler doesn't carry a sword for no reason at all. He serves God. And God is carrying out his anger through him. The ruler punishes anyone who does wrong.

5 You must obey the authorities. Then you will not be punished. You must also obey them because you know it is right.

6 That's also why you pay taxes. The authorities serve God. Ruling takes up all their time.

7 Give to everyone what you owe. Do you owe taxes? Then pay them. Do you owe anything else to the government? Then pay it. Do you owe respect? Then give it. Do you owe honor? Then show it.

8 Pay everything you owe. But you can never pay back all the love you owe each other. Those who love others have done everything the law requires.

9 Here are some commandments to think about. "Do not commit adultery." "Do not commit murder." "Do not steal." "Do not want what belongs to others."(Exodus 20:13-15,17; Deuteronomy 5:17-19,21) These and other commandments are all included in one rule. Here's what it is. "Love your neighbor as you love yourself."(Leviticus 19:18)

10 Love does not harm its neighbor. So love does everything the law requires.

11 When you do those things, keep in mind the times we are living in. The hour has come for you to wake up from your sleep. Our full salvation is closer now than it was when we first believed in Christ.

12 The dark night of evil is nearly over. The day of Christ's return is almost here. So let us get rid of the works of darkness. Let us put on the armor of light.

13 Let us act as we should, like people living in the daytime. Have nothing to do with wild parties. Don't get drunk. Don't take part in sexual sins or evil conduct. Don't fight with each other. Don't be jealous of anyone.

14 Instead, put on the Lord Jesus Christ as your clothing. Don't think about how to satisfy what your sinful nature wants.