Psalms 26; Psalms 40; Psalms 58; Psalms 61; Psalms 62; Psalms 64

1 Lord, defend me because I have lived an innocent life. I have trusted the Lord and never doubted.

2 Lord, try me and test me; look closely into my heart and mind.

3 I see your love, and I live by your truth.

4 I do not spend time with liars, nor do I make friends with those who hide their sin.

5 I hate the company of evil people, and I won't sit with the wicked.

6 I wash my hands to show I am innocent, and I come to your altar, Lord.

7 I raise my voice in praise and tell of all the miracles you have done.

8 Lord, I love the Temple where you live, where your glory is.

9 Do not kill me with those sinners or take my life with those murderers.

10 Evil is in their hands, and they do wrong for money.

11 But I have lived an innocent life, so save me and have mercy on me.

12 I stand in a safe place. Lord, I praise you in the great meeting. Of David.

1 I waited patiently for the Lord. He turned to me and heard my cry.

2 He lifted me out of the pit of destruction, out of the sticky mud. He stood me on a rock and made my feet steady.

3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many people will see this and worship him. Then they will trust the Lord.

4 Happy is the person who trusts the Lord, who doesn't turn to those who are proud or to those who worship false gods.

5 Lord my God, you have done many miracles. Your plans for us are many. If I tried to tell them all, there would be too many to count.

6 You do not want sacrifices and offerings. But you have made a hole in my ear to show that my body and life are yours. You do not ask for burnt offerings and sacrifices to take away sins.

7 Then I said, "Look, I have come. It is written about me in the book.

8 My God, I want to do what you want. Your teachings are in my heart."

9 I will tell about your goodness in the great meeting of your people. Lord, you know my lips are not silent.

10 I do not hide your goodness in my heart; I speak about your loyalty and salvation. I do not hide your love and truth from the people in the great meeting.

11 Lord, do not hold back your mercy from me; let your love and truth always protect me.

12 Troubles have surrounded me; there are too many to count. My sins have caught me so that I cannot see a way to escape. I have more sins than hairs on my head, and I have lost my courage.

13 Please, Lord, save me. Hurry, Lord, to help me.

14 People are trying to kill me. Shame them and disgrace them. People want to hurt me. Let them run away in disgrace.

15 People are making fun of me. Let them be shamed into silence.

16 But let those who follow you be happy and glad. They love you for saving them. May they always say, "Praise the Lord!"

17 Lord, because I am poor and helpless, please remember me. You are my helper and savior. My God, do not wait. For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1 Do you rulers really say what is right? Do you judge people fairly?

2 No, in your heart you plan evil; you think up violent crimes in the land.

3 From birth, evil people turn away from God; they wander off and tell lies as soon as they are born.

4 They are like poisonous snakes, like deaf cobras that stop up their ears

5 so they cannot hear the music of the snake charmer no matter how well he plays.

6 God, break the teeth in their mouths! Tear out the fangs of those lions, Lord!

7 Let them disappear like water that flows away. Let them be cut short like a broken arrow.

8 Let them be like snails that melt as they move. Let them be like a child born dead who never saw the sun.

9 His anger will blow them away alive faster than burning thorns can heat a pot.

10 Good people will be glad when they see him get even. They will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked.

11 Then people will say, "There really are rewards for doing what is right. There really is a God who judges the world."

1 God, hear my cry; listen to my prayer.

2 I call to you from the ends of the earth when I am afraid. Carry me away to a high mountain.

3 You have been my protection, like a strong tower against my enemies.

4 Let me live in your Holy Tent forever. Let me find safety in the shelter of your wings. Selah

5 God, you have heard my promises. You have given me what belongs to those who fear you.

6 Give the king a long life; let him live many years.

7 Let him rule in the presence of God forever. Protect him with your love and truth.

8 Then I will praise your name forever, and every day I will keep my promises.

1 I find rest in God; only he can save me.

2 He is my rock and my salvation. He is my defender; I will not be defeated.

3 How long will you attack someone? Will all of you kill that person? Who is like a leaning wall, like a fence ready to fall?

4 They are planning to make that person fall. They enjoy telling lies. With their mouths they bless, but in their hearts they curse.Selah

5 I find rest in God; only he gives me hope.

6 He is my rock and my salvation. He is my defender; I will not be defeated.

7 My honor and salvation come from God. He is my mighty rock and my protection.

8 People, trust God all the time. Tell him all your problems, because God is our protection.Selah

9 The least of people are only a breath, and even the greatest are just a lie. On the scales, they weigh nothing; together they are only a breath.

10 Do not trust in force. Stealing is of no use. Even if you gain more riches, don't put your trust in them.

11 God has said this, and I have heard it over and over: God is strong.

12 The Lord is loving. You reward people for what they have done. A psalm of David when he was in the desert of Judah.

1 God, listen to my complaint. I am afraid of my enemies; protect my life from them.

2 Hide me from those who plan wicked things, from that gang who does evil.

3 They sharpen their tongues like swords and shoot bitter words like arrows.

4 From their hiding places they shoot at innocent people; they shoot suddenly and are not afraid.

5 They encourage each other to do wrong. They talk about setting traps, thinking no one will see them.

6 They plan wicked things and say, "We have a perfect plan." The mind of human beings is hard to understand.

7 But God will shoot them with arrows; they will suddenly be struck down.

8 Their own words will be used against them. All who see them will shake their heads.

9 Then everyone will fear God. They will tell what God has done, and they will learn from what he has done.

10 Good people will be happy in the Lord and will find protection in him. Let everyone who is honest praise the Lord.