Psalm 26-30

Psalm 26 1Of David. Vindicate me, LORD, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the LORD and have not faltered.

2Test me, LORD, and try me, examine my heart and my mind;

3for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love and have lived in reliance on your faithfulness.

4I do not sit with the deceitful, nor do I associate with hypocrites.

5I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked.

6I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, LORD,

7proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds.

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

9Do not take away my soul along with sinners, my life with those who are bloodthirsty,

10in whose hands are wicked schemes, whose right hands are full of bribes.

11I lead a blameless life; deliver me and be merciful to me. 12My feet stand on level ground; in the great congregation I will praise the LORD .

Psalm 27 1Of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

2When the wicked advance against me to devour Or slander me, it is my enemies and my foes who will stumble and fall.

3Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident.

4One thing I ask from the LORD, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.

5For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent and set me high upon a rock.

6Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD .

7Hear my voice when I call, LORD ; be merciful to me and answer me.

8My heart says of you, “Seek his face!” Your face, LORD, I will seek.

9Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, God my Savior.

10Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.

11Teach me your way, LORD ; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.

12Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, spouting malicious accusations.

13I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. 14Wait for the LORD ; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD .

Psalm 28 1Of David. To you, LORD, I call; you are my Rock, do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who go down to the pit.

2Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.

3Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts.

4Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done and bring back on them what they deserve.

5Because they have no regard for the deeds of the LORD and what his hands have done, he will tear them down and never build them up again.

6Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy.

7The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy, and with my song I praise him.

8The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one. 9Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.

Psalm 29 1A psalm of David. Ascribe to the LORD, you heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

2Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of his Or Lord with the splendor of holiness.

3The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD thunders over the mighty waters.

4The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic.

5The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.

6He makes Lebanon leap like a calf, Sirion That is, Mount Hermon like a young wild ox.

7The voice of the LORD strikes with flashes of lightning.

8The voice of the LORD shakes the desert; the LORD shakes the Desert of Kadesh.

9The voice of the LORD twists the oaks Or Lord makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare. And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”

10The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD is enthroned as King forever. 11The LORD gives strength to his people; the LORD blesses his people with peace.

Psalm 30In Hebrew texts 30:1-12 is numbered 30:2-13. 1A psalm. A song. For the dedication of the temple. Title: Or palace Of David. I will exalt you, LORD, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me.

2LORD my God, I called to you for help, and you healed me.

3You, LORD, brought me up from the realm of the dead; you spared me from going down to the pit.

4Sing the praises of the LORD, you his faithful people; praise his holy name.

5For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

6When I felt secure, I said, “I will never be shaken.”

7LORD, when you favored me, you made my royal mountain That is, Mount Zion stand firm; but when you hid your face, I was dismayed.

8To you, LORD, I called; to the Lord I cried for mercy:

9“What is gained if I am silenced, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your faithfulness?

10Hear, LORD, and be merciful to me; LORD, be my help.”

11You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, 12that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. LORD my God, I will praise you forever.