Psalms 26; Psalms 27; Psalms 28

1 Judge me favorably, O LORD, because I have walked with integrity and I have trusted you without wavering.

2 Examine me, O LORD, and test me. Look closely into my heart and mind.

3 I see your mercy in front of me. I walk in the light of your truth.

4 I did not sit with liars, and I will not be found among hypocrites.

5 I have hated the mob of evildoers and will not sit with wicked people.

6 I will wash my hands in innocence. I will walk around your altar, O LORD,

7 so that I may loudly sing a hymn of thanksgiving and tell about all your miracles.

8 O LORD, I love the house where you live, the place where your glory dwells.

9 Do not sweep away my soul along with hardened sinners or my life along with bloodthirsty people.

10 Evil schemes are in their hands. Their right hands are full of bribes.

11 But I walk with integrity. Rescue me, and have pity on me.

12 My feet stand on level ground. I will praise the LORD with the choirs in worship.

1 The LORD is my light and my salvation. Who is there to fear? The LORD is my life's fortress. Who is there to be afraid of?

2 Evildoers closed in on me to tear me to pieces. My opponents and enemies stumbled and fell.

3 Even though an army sets up camp against me, my heart will not be afraid. Even though a war breaks out against me, I will still have confidence [in the LORD].

4 I have asked one thing from the LORD. This I will seek: to remain in the LORD's house all the days of my life in order to gaze at the LORD's beauty and to search for an answer in his temple.

5 He hides me in his shelter when there is trouble. He keeps me hidden in his tent. He sets me high on a rock.

6 Now my head will be raised above my enemies who surround me. I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy in his tent. I will sing and make music to praise the LORD.

7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry aloud. Have pity on me, and answer me.

8 [When you said,] "Seek my face," my heart said to you, "O LORD, I will seek your face."

9 Do not hide your face from me. Do not angrily turn me away. You have been my help. Do not leave me! Do not abandon me, O God, my savior!

10 Even if my father and mother abandon me, the LORD will take care of me.

11 Teach me your way, O LORD. Lead me on a level path because I have enemies who spy on me.

12 Do not surrender me to the will of my opponents. False witnesses have risen against me. They breathe out violence.

13 I believe that I will see the goodness of the LORD in this world of the living.

14 Wait with hope for the LORD. Be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Yes, wait with hope for the LORD.

1 O LORD, I call to you. O my rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me. If you remain silent, I will be like those who go into the pit.

2 Hear my prayer for mercy when I call to you for help, when I lift my hands toward your most holy place.

3 Do not drag me away with wicked people, with troublemakers who speak of peace with their neighbors but have evil in their hearts.

4 Pay them back for what they have done, for their evil deeds. Pay them back for what their hands have done, and give them what they deserve.

5 The LORD will tear them down and never build them up again, because they never consider what he has done or what his hands have made.

6 Thank the LORD! He has heard my prayer for mercy!

7 The LORD is my strength and my shield. My heart trusted him, so I received help. My heart is triumphant; I give thanks to him with my song.

8 The LORD is the strength of his people and a fortress for the victory of his Messiah.

9 Save your people, and bless those who belong to you. Be their shepherd, and carry them forever.