Psalms 23-31
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 23
1The Lord is my shepherd, I will not be in need. 2He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. 3He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness For the sake of His name. 4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You have anointed my head with oil; My cup overflows. 6 Certainly goodness and faithfulness will follow me all the days of my life, And my dwelling will be in the house of the Lord forever.Chapter 24
1The earth is the Lord’S, and all it contains, The world, and those who live in it. 2For He has founded it upon the seas And established it upon the rivers. 3Who may ascend onto the hill of the Lord? And who may stand in His holy place? 4One who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to deceit And has not sworn deceitfully. 5He will receive a blessing from the Lord And righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6 This is the generation of those who seek Him, Who seek Your face— even Jacob. Selah 7Lift up your heads, you gates, And be lifted up, you ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in! 8Who is the King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle. 9Lift up your heads, you gates, And lift them up, you ancient doors, That the King of glory may come in! 10Who is this King of glory? The Lord of armies, He is the King of glory. SelahChapter 25
1To You, Lord, I lift up my soul. 2My God, in You I trust, Do not let me be ashamed; Do not let my enemies rejoice over me. 3Indeed, none of those who wait for You will be ashamed; Those who deal treacherously without cause will be ashamed. 4Make me know Your ways, Lord; Teach me Your paths. 5Lead me in Your truth and teach me, For You are the God of my salvation; For You I wait all the day. 6Remember, Lord, Your compassion and Your faithfulness, For they have been from of old. 7Do not remember the sins of my youth or my wrongdoings; Remember me according to Your faithfulness, For Your goodness’ sake, Lord. 8The Lord is good and upright; Therefore He instructs sinners in the way. 9He leads the humble in justice, And He teaches the humble His way. 10All the paths of the Lord are faithfulness and truth To those who comply with His covenant and His testimonies. 11For the sake of Your name, Lord, Forgive my wrongdoing, for it is great. 12Who is the person who fears the Lord? He will instruct him in the way he should choose. 13His soul will dwell in prosperity, And his descendants will inherit the land. 14The secret of the Lord is for those who fear Him, And He will make them know His covenant. 15My eyes are continually toward the Lord, For He will rescue my feet from the net. 16Turn to me and be gracious to me, For I am lonely and afflicted. 17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged; Bring me out of my distresses. 18Look at my misery and my trouble, And forgive all my sins. 19Look at my enemies, for they are many, And they hate me with violent hatred. 20Guard my soul and save me; Do not let me be ashamed, for I take refuge in You. 21Let integrity and uprightness protect me, For I wait for You. 22Redeem Israel, God, From all his distress.Chapter 26
1 Vindicate me, Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, And I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. 2Examine me, Lord, and put me to the test; Refine my mind and my heart. 3For Your goodness is before my eyes, And I have walked in Your truth. 4I do not sit with deceitful people, Nor will I go with pretenders. 5I hate the assembly of evildoers, And I will not sit with the wicked. 6I will wash my hands in innocence, And I will go around Your altar, Lord, 7That I may proclaim with the voice of thanksgiving And declare all Your wonders. 8Lord, I love the dwelling of Your house, And the place where Your glory remains. 9Do not take my soul away along with sinners, Nor my life with men of bloodshed, 10In whose hands is a wicked scheme, And whose right hand is full of bribes. 11But as for me, I will walk in my integrity; Redeem me, and be gracious to me. 12My foot stands on level ground; In the congregations I will bless the Lord.Chapter 27
1The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom should I fear? The Lord is the defense of my life; Whom should I dread? 2When evildoers came upon me to devour my flesh, My adversaries and my enemies, they stumbled and fell. 3If an army encamps against me, My heart will not fear; If war arises against me, In spite of this I am confident. 4One thing I have asked from the Lord, that I shall seek: That I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the Lord And to meditate in His temple. 5For on the day of trouble He will conceal me in His tabernacle; He will hide me in the secret place of His tent; He will lift me up on a rock. 6And now my head will be lifted up above my enemies around me, And I will offer sacrifices in His tent with shouts of joy; I will sing, yes, I will sing praises to the Lord. 7Hear, Lord, when I cry with my voice, And be gracious to me and answer me. 8 When You said, 'Seek My face,' my heart said to You, 'I shall seek Your face, Lord.' 9Do not hide Your face from me, Do not turn Your servant away in anger; You have been my help; Do not abandon me nor forsake me, God of my salvation! 10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me, But the Lord will take me up. 11Teach me Your way, Lord, And lead me on a level path Because of my enemies. 12Do not turn me over to the desire of my enemies, For false witnesses have risen against me, And the violent witness. 13I certainly believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord In the land of the living. 14Wait for the Lord; Be strong and let your heart take courage; Yes, wait for the Lord.Chapter 28
1To You, Lord, I call; My rock, do not be deaf to me, For if You are silent to me, I will become like those who go down to the pit. 2Hear the sound of my pleadings when I cry to You for help, When I raise my hands toward Your holy sanctuary. 3Do not drag me away with the wicked And with those who practice injustice, Who speak peace with their neighbors, While evil is in their hearts. 4Give back to them according to their work and according to the evil of their practices; Give back to them according to the work of their hands; Repay them what is due them. 5Because they do not regard the works of the Lord Nor the deeds of His hands, He will tear them down and not build them up. 6Blessed be the Lord, Because He has heard the sound of my pleading. 7The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped; Therefore my heart triumphs, And with my song I shall thank Him. 8The Lord is their strength, And He is a refuge of salvation to His anointed. 9Save Your people and bless Your inheritance; Be their shepherd also, and carry them forever.Chapter 29
1Ascribe to the Lord, sons of the mighty, Ascribe to the Lord glory and strength. 2Ascribe to the Lord the glory due His name; Worship the Lord in holy attire. 3The voice of the Lord is on the waters; The God of glory thunders, The Lord is over many waters. 4The voice of the Lord is powerful, The voice of the Lord is majestic. 5The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; Yes, the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon in pieces. 6He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, And Sirion like a young wild ox. 7The voice of the Lord divides flames of fire. 8The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; The Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 9The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth And strips the forests bare; And in His temple everything says, 'Glory!' 10The Lord sat as King at the flood; Yes, the Lord sits as King forever. 11 The Lord will give strength to His people; The Lord will bless His people with peace.Chapter 30
1I will exalt You, Lord, for You have lifted me up, And have not let my enemies rejoice over me. 2Lord my God, I cried to You for help, and You healed me. 3Lord, You have brought up my soul from Sheol; You have kept me alive, that I would not go down to the pit. 4Sing praise to the Lord, you His godly ones, And praise the mention of His holiness. 5For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for a lifetime; Weeping may last for the night, But a shout of joy comes in the morning. 6Now as for me, I said in my prosperity, 'I will never be moved.' 7Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain to stand strong; You hid Your face, I was dismayed. 8To You, Lord, I called, And to the Lord I pleaded for compassion: 9'What gain is there in my blood, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your faithfulness? 10'Hear, Lord, and be gracious to me; Lord, be my helper.' 11You have turned my mourning into dancing for me; You have untied my sackcloth and encircled me with joy, 12That my soul may sing praise to You and not be silent. Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.Chapter 31
1In You, Lord, I have taken refuge; Let me never be put to shame; In Your righteousness rescue me. 2Incline Your ear to me, rescue me quickly; Be a rock of strength for me, A stronghold to save me. 3For You are my rock and my fortress; For the sake of Your name You will lead me and guide me. 4You will pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, For You are my strength. 5Into Your hand I entrust my spirit; You have redeemed me, Lord, God of truth. 6I hate those who devote themselves to worthless idols, But I trust in the Lord. 7I will rejoice and be glad in Your faithfulness, Because You have seen my misery; You have known the troubles of my soul, 8And You have not handed me over to the enemy; You have set my feet in a large place. 9Be gracious to me, Lord, for I am in distress; My eye is wasted away from grief, my soul and my body too. 10For my life is spent with sorrow And my years with sighing; My strength has failed because of my guilt, And my body has wasted away. 11Because of all my adversaries, I have become a disgrace, Especially to my neighbors, And an object of dread to my acquaintances; Those who see me in the street flee from me. 12I am forgotten like a dead person, out of mind; I am like a broken vessel. 13For I have heard the slander of many, Terror is on every side; While they took counsel together against me, They schemed to take away my life. 14But as for me, I trust in You, Lord, I say, 'You are my God.' 15My times are in Your hand; Rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from those who persecute me. 16Make Your face shine upon Your servant; Save me in Your faithfulness. 17Let me not be put to shame, Lord, for I call upon You; Let the wicked be put to shame, let them be silent in Sheol. 18Let the lying lips be speechless, Which speak arrogantly against the righteous With pride and contempt. 19How great is Your goodness, Which You have stored up for those who fear You, Which You have performed for those who take refuge in You, Before the sons of mankind! 20You hide them in the secret place of Your presence from the conspiracies of mankind; You keep them secretly in a shelter from the strife of tongues. 21Blessed be the Lord, For He has shown His marvelous faithfulness to me in a besieged city. 22As for me, I said in my alarm, 'I am cut off from Your eyes'; Nevertheless You heard the sound of my pleadings When I called to You for help. 23Love the Lord, all His godly ones! The Lord watches over the faithful But fully repays the one who acts arrogantly. 24Be strong and let your heart take courage, All you who wait for the Lord.King James Version
Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 23
1A psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I have what I need. 2He lets me lie down in green pastures; he leads me beside quiet waters. 3He renews my life; he leads me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
4Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for you are with me; your rod and your staff—they comfort me.
5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.
2for he laid its foundation on the seas and established it on the rivers.
3Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?
4The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not appealed to what is false, and who has not sworn deceitfully.
5He will receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6Such is the generation of those who inquire of him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah
7Lift up your heads, you gates! Rise up, ancient doors! Then the King of glory will come in.
8Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle.
9Lift up your heads, you gates! Rise up, ancient doors! Then the King of glory will come in.
Chapter 25
1Of David. Lord, I appeal to you. 2My God, I trust in you. Do not let me be disgraced; do not let my enemies gloat over me.
3No one who waits for you will be disgraced; those who act treacherously without cause will be disgraced.
4Make your ways known to me, Lord; teach me your paths.
5Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; I wait for you all day long.
6Remember, Lord, your compassion and your faithful love, for they have existed from antiquity.
7Do not remember the sins of my youth or my acts of rebellion; in keeping with your faithful love, remember me because of your goodness, Lord.
8The Lord is good and upright; therefore he shows sinners the way.
9He leads the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
10All the Lord’s ways show faithful love and truth to those who keep his covenant and decrees.
11 Lord, for the sake of your name, forgive my iniquity, for it is immense.
12Who is this person who fears the Lord? He will show him the way he should choose.
13He will live a good life, and his descendants will inherit the land.
14The secret counsel of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he reveals his covenant to them.
15My eyes are always on the Lord, for he will pull my feet out of the net.
16Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am alone and afflicted.
17The distresses of my heart increase; bring me out of my sufferings.
18Consider my affliction and trouble, and forgive all my sins.
19Consider my enemies; they are numerous, and they hate me violently.
20Guard me and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
21May integrity and what is right watch over me, for I wait for you.
22God, redeem Israel, from all its distresses.
Chapter 26
1Of David. Vindicate me, Lord, because I have lived with integrity and have trusted in the Lord without wavering. 2Test me, Lord, and try me; examine my heart and mind.
3For your faithful love guides me, and I live by your truth.
4I do not sit with the worthless or associate with hypocrites.
5I hate a crowd of evildoers, and I do not sit with the wicked.
6I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, Lord,
7raising my voice in thanksgiving and telling about your wondrous works.
8 Lord, I love the house where you dwell, the place where your glory resides.
9Do not destroy me along with sinners, or my life along with men of bloodshed
10in whose hands are evil schemes and whose right hands are filled with bribes.
11But I live with integrity; redeem me and be gracious to me.
12My foot stands on level ground; I will bless the Lord in the assemblies.
Chapter 27
1Of David. The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom should I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— whom should I dread? 2When evildoers came against me to devour my flesh, my foes and my enemies stumbled and fell.
3Though an army deploys against me, my heart will not be afraid; though a war breaks out against me, I will still be confident.
4I have asked one thing from the Lord; it is what I desire: to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, gazing on the beauty of the Lord and seeking him in his temple.
5For he will conceal me in his shelter in the day of adversity; he will hide me under the cover of his tent; he will set me high on a rock.
6Then my head will be high above my enemies around me; I will offer sacrifices in his tent with shouts of joy. I will sing and make music to the Lord.
7 Lord, hear my voice when I call; be gracious to me and answer me.
8My heart says this about you: "Seek his face." Lord, I will seek your face.
9Do not hide your face from me; do not turn your servant away in anger. You have been my helper; do not leave me or abandon me, God of my salvation.
10Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord cares for me.
11Because of my adversaries, show me your way, Lord, and lead me on a level path.
12Do not give me over to the will of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing violence.
13I am certain that I will see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living.
14Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart be courageous. Wait for the Lord.
2Listen to the sound of my pleading when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands toward your holy sanctuary.
3Do not drag me away with the wicked, with the evildoers, who speak in friendly ways with their neighbors while malice is in their hearts.
4Repay them according to what they have done— according to the evil of their deeds. Repay them according to the work of their hands; give them back what they deserve.
5Because they do not consider what the Lord has done or the work of his hands, he will tear them down and not rebuild them.
6Blessed be the Lord, for he has heard the sound of my pleading.
7The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart celebrates, and I give thanks to him with my song.
8The Lord is the strength of his people; he is a stronghold of salvation for his anointed.
9Save your people, bless your possession, shepherd them, and carry them forever.
Chapter 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 holiness.
3The voice of the Lord is above the waters. The God of glory thunders— the Lord, above the vast water,
4the voice of the Lord in power, the voice of the Lord in splendor.
5The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon.
6He makes Lebanon skip like a calf, and Sirion, like a young wild ox.
7The voice of the Lord flashes flames of fire.
8The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
9The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth and strips the woodlands bare. In his temple all cry, "Glory!"
10The Lord sits enthroned over the flood; the Lord sits enthroned, King forever.
11The Lord gives his people strength; the Lord blesses his people with peace.
Chapter 30
1A psalm; a dedication song for the house. Of David. I will exalt you, Lord, because you have lifted me up and have not allowed my enemies to triumph over me. 2 Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you healed me.
3 Lord, you brought me up from Sheol; you spared me from among those going down to the Pit.
4Sing to the Lord, you his faithful ones, and praise his holy name.
5For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor, a lifetime. Weeping may stay overnight, but there is joy in the morning.
6When I was secure, I said, "I will never be shaken."
7 Lord, when you showed your favor, you made me stand like a strong mountain; when you hid your face, I was terrified.
8 Lord, I called to you; I sought favor from my Lord:
9"What gain is there in my death, if I go down to the Pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it proclaim your truth?
10 Lord, listen and be gracious to me; Lord, be my helper."
11You turned my lament into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,
12so that I can sing to you and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.
Chapter 31
1For the choir director. A psalm of David. Lord, I seek refuge in you; let me never be disgraced. Save me by your righteousness. 2Listen closely to me; rescue me quickly. Be a rock of refuge for me, a mountain fortress to save me. 3For you are my rock and my fortress; you lead and guide me for your name’s sake. 4You will free me from the net that is secretly set for me, for you are my refuge.
5Into your hand I entrust my spirit; you have redeemed me, Lord, God of truth.
6I hate those who are devoted to worthless idols, but I trust in the Lord.
7I will rejoice and be glad in your faithful love because you have seen my affliction. You know the troubles of my soul
8and have not handed me over to the enemy. You have set my feet in a spacious place.
9Be gracious to me, Lord, because I am in distress; my eyes are worn out from frustration— my whole being as well.
10Indeed, my life is consumed with grief and my years with groaning; my strength has failed because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away.
11I am ridiculed by all my adversaries and even by my neighbors. I am dreaded by my acquaintances; those who see me in the street run from me.
12I am forgotten: gone from memory like a dead person—like broken pottery.
13I have heard the gossip of many; terror is on every side. When they conspired against me, they plotted to take my life.
14But I trust in you, Lord; I say, "You are my God."
15The course of my life is in your power; rescue me from the power of my enemies and from my persecutors.
16Make your face shine on your servant; save me by your faithful love.
17 Lord, do not let me be disgraced when I call on you. Let the wicked be disgraced; let them be quiet in Sheol.
18Let lying lips that arrogantly speak against the righteous in proud contempt be silenced.
19How great is your goodness that you have stored up for those who fear you and accomplished in the sight of everyone for those who take refuge in you.
20You hide them in the protection of your presence; you conceal them in a shelter from human schemes, from quarrelsome tongues.
21Blessed be the Lord, for he has wondrously shown his faithful love to me in a city under siege.
22In my alarm I said, "I am cut off from your sight." But you heard the sound of my pleading when I cried to you for help.
23Love the Lord, all his faithful ones. The Lord protects the loyal, but fully repays the arrogant.
24Be strong, and let your heart be courageous, all you who put your hope in the Lord.
New Living Translation
Chapter 23
1The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need. 2He lets me rest in green meadows; he leads me beside peaceful streams. 3He renews my strength. He guides me along right paths, bringing honor to his name. 4Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me. 5You prepare a feast for me in the presence of my enemies. You honor me by anointing my head with oil. My cup overflows with blessings. 6Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will live in the house of the Lord forever.Chapter 24
1The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it. The world and all its people belong to him. 2For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas and built it on the ocean depths.
3Who may climb the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?
4Only those whose hands and hearts are pure, who do not worship idols and never tell lies.
5They will receive the Lord’s blessing and have a right relationship with God their savior.
7Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter.
8Who is the King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty; the Lord, invincible in battle.
9Open up, ancient gates! Open up, ancient doors, and let the King of glory enter.
Chapter 25
1 O Lord, I give my life to you. 2I trust in you, my God! Do not let me be disgraced, or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat. 3No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced, but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.
4Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.
5Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me. All day long I put my hope in you.
6Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love, which you have shown from long ages past.
7Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth. Remember me in the light of your unfailing love, for you are merciful, O Lord.
8The Lord is good and does what is right; he shows the proper path to those who go astray.
9He leads the humble in doing right, teaching them his way.
10The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.
11For the honor of your name, O Lord, forgive my many, many sins.
12Who are those who fear the Lord? He will show them the path they should choose.
13They will live in prosperity, and their children will inherit the land.
14The Lord is a friend to those who fear him. He teaches them his covenant.
15My eyes are always on the Lord, for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies.
16Turn to me and have mercy, for I am alone and in deep distress.
17My problems go from bad to worse. Oh, save me from them all!
18Feel my pain and see my trouble. Forgive all my sins.
19See how many enemies I have and how viciously they hate me!
20Protect me! Rescue my life from them! Do not let me be disgraced, for in you I take refuge.
21May integrity and honesty protect me, for I put my hope in you.
Chapter 26
1Declare me innocent, O Lord, for I have acted with integrity; I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. 2Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart. 3For I am always aware of your unfailing love, and I have lived according to your truth. 4I do not spend time with liars or go along with hypocrites. 5I hate the gatherings of those who do evil, and I refuse to join in with the wicked. 6I wash my hands to declare my innocence. I come to your altar, O Lord, 7singing a song of thanksgiving and telling of all your wonders. 8I love your sanctuary, Lord, the place where your glorious presence dwells.
9Don’t let me suffer the fate of sinners. Don’t condemn me along with murderers.
10Their hands are dirty with evil schemes, and they constantly take bribes.
11But I am not like that; I live with integrity. So redeem me and show me mercy.
12Now I stand on solid ground, and I will publicly praise the Lord.
Chapter 27
1The Lord is my light and my salvation — so why should I be afraid? The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger, so why should I tremble? 2When evil people come to devour me, when my enemies and foes attack me, they will stumble and fall. 3Though a mighty army surrounds me, my heart will not be afraid. Even if I am attacked, I will remain confident.
4The one thing I ask of the Lord — the thing I seek most — is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, delighting in the Lord’s perfections and meditating in his Temple.
5For he will conceal me there when troubles come; he will hide me in his sanctuary. He will place me out of reach on a high rock.
6Then I will hold my head high above my enemies who surround me. At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy, singing and praising the Lord with music.
7Hear me as I pray, O Lord. Be merciful and answer me!
8My heart has heard you say, 'Come and talk with me.' And my heart responds, 'Lord, I am coming.'
9Do not turn your back on me. Do not reject your servant in anger. You have always been my helper. Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me, O God of my salvation!
10Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.
11Teach me how to live, O Lord. Lead me along the right path, for my enemies are waiting for me.
12Do not let me fall into their hands. For they accuse me of things I’ve never done; with every breath they threaten me with violence.
13Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness while I am here in the land of the living.
Chapter 28
1I pray to you, O Lord, my rock. Do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you are silent, I might as well give up and die. 2Listen to my prayer for mercy as I cry out to you for help, as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary.
3Do not drag me away with the wicked — with those who do evil — those who speak friendly words to their neighbors while planning evil in their hearts.
4Give them the punishment they so richly deserve! Measure it out in proportion to their wickedness. Pay them back for all their evil deeds! Give them a taste of what they have done to others.
5They care nothing for what the Lord has done or for what his hands have made. So he will tear them down, and they will never be rebuilt!
6Praise the Lord! For he has heard my cry for mercy.
7The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him with all my heart. He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy. I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.
8The Lord gives his people strength. He is a safe fortress for his anointed king.
9Save your people! Bless Israel, your special possession. Lead them like a shepherd, and carry them in your arms forever.
Chapter 29
1Honor the Lord, you heavenly beings ; honor the Lord for his glory and strength. 2Honor the Lord for the glory of his name. Worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
3The voice of the Lord echoes above the sea. The God of glory thunders. The Lord thunders over the mighty sea.
4The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is majestic.
5The voice of the Lord splits the mighty cedars; the Lord shatters the cedars of Lebanon.
6He makes Lebanon’s mountains skip like a calf; he makes Mount Hermon leap like a young wild ox.
7The voice of the Lord strikes with bolts of lightning.
8The voice of the Lord makes the barren wilderness quake; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.
9The voice of the Lord twists mighty oaks and strips the forests bare. In his Temple everyone shouts, 'Glory!'
10The Lord rules over the floodwaters. The Lord reigns as king forever.
11The Lord gives his people strength. The Lord blesses them with peace.
Chapter 30
1I will exalt you, Lord, for you rescued me. You refused to let my enemies triumph over me. 2O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you restored my health. 3You brought me up from the grave, O Lord. You kept me from falling into the pit of death.
4Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones! Praise his holy name.
5For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning.
6When I was prosperous, I said, 'Nothing can stop me now!'
7Your favor, O Lord, made me as secure as a mountain. Then you turned away from me, and I was shattered.
8I cried out to you, O Lord. I begged the Lord for mercy, saying,
9'What will you gain if I die, if I sink into the grave? Can my dust praise you? Can it tell of your faithfulness?
10Hear me, Lord, and have mercy on me. Help me, O Lord.'
11You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,
12that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!
Chapter 31
1O Lord, I have come to you for protection; don’t let me be disgraced. Save me, for you do what is right. 2Turn your ear to listen to me; rescue me quickly. Be my rock of protection, a fortress where I will be safe. 3You are my rock and my fortress. For the honor of your name, lead me out of this danger. 4Pull me from the trap my enemies set for me, for I find protection in you alone. 5I entrust my spirit into your hand. Rescue me, Lord, for you are a faithful God.
6I hate those who worship worthless idols. I trust in the Lord.
7I will be glad and rejoice in your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul.
8You have not handed me over to my enemies but have set me in a safe place.
9Have mercy on me, Lord, for I am in distress. Tears blur my eyes. My body and soul are withering away.
10I am dying from grief; my years are shortened by sadness. Sin has drained my strength; I am wasting away from within.
11I am scorned by all my enemies and despised by my neighbors — even my friends are afraid to come near me. When they see me on the street, they run the other way.
12I am ignored as if I were dead, as if I were a broken pot.
13I have heard the many rumors about me, and I am surrounded by terror. My enemies conspire against me, plotting to take my life.
14But I am trusting you, O Lord, saying, 'You are my God!'
15My future is in your hands. Rescue me from those who hunt me down relentlessly.
16Let your favor shine on your servant. In your unfailing love, rescue me.
17Don’t let me be disgraced, O Lord, for I call out to you for help. Let the wicked be disgraced; let them lie silent in the grave.
18Silence their lying lips — those proud and arrogant lips that accuse the godly.
19How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world.
20You hide them in the shelter of your presence, safe from those who conspire against them. You shelter them in your presence, far from accusing tongues.
English Standard Version
Chapter 23
1The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name 's sake. 4Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.Chapter 24
1 The earth is the Lord 's and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, 2for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. 3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord? And who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to what is false and does not swear deceitfully. 5He will receive blessing from the Lord and righteousness from the God of his salvation. 6Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah 7 Lift up your heads, O gates! And be lifted up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 8Who is this King of glory? The Lord, strong and mighty, the Lord, mighty in battle! 9Lift up your heads, O gates! And lift them up, O ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. 10Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, he is the King of glory! SelahChapter 25
1 To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul. 2O my God, in you I trust; let me not be put to shame; let not my enemies exult over me. 3Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame; they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous. 4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord; teach me your paths. 5Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long. 6Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love, for they have been from of old. 7Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions; according to your steadfast love remember me, for the sake of your goodness, O Lord! 8 Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in the way. 9He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way. 10All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness, for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies. 11For your name 's sake, O Lord, pardon my guilt, for it is great. 12Who is the man who fears the Lord? Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose. 13His soul shall abide in well-being, and his offspring shall inherit the land. 14 The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him, and he makes known to them his covenant. 15My eyes are ever toward the Lord, for he will pluck my feet out of the net. 16 Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted. 17The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distresses. 18 Consider my affliction and my trouble, and forgive all my sins. 19Consider how many are my foes, and with what violent hatred they hate me. 20Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me! Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you. 21May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you. 22 Redeem Israel, O God, out of all his troubles.Chapter 26
1 Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering. 2 Prove me, O Lord, and try me; test my heart and my mind. 3For your steadfast love is before my eyes, and I walk in your faithfulness. 4I do not sit with men of falsehood, nor do I consort with hypocrites. 5I hate the assembly of evildoers, and I will not sit with the wicked. 6I wash my hands in innocence and go around your altar, O Lord, 7proclaiming thanksgiving aloud, and telling all your wondrous deeds. 8O Lord, I love the habitation of your house and the place where your glory dwells. 9 Do not sweep my soul away with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, 10in whose hands are evil devices, and whose right hands are full of bribes. 11But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity; redeem me, and be gracious to me. 12My foot stands on level ground; in the great assembly I will bless the Lord.Chapter 27
1The 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 evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. 3 Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. 4 One thing have I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord and to inquire in his temple. 5For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. 6And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the Lord. 7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud; be gracious to me and answer me! 8You have said, "Seek my face." My heart says to you, "Your face, Lord, do I seek." 9 Hide not your face from me. Turn not your servant away in anger, O you who have been my help. Cast me not off; forsake me not, O God of my salvation! 10For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in. 11 Teach me your way, O Lord, and lead me on a level path because of my enemies. 12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries; for false witnesses have risen against me, and they breathe out violence. 13I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living! 14 Wait for the Lord; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the Lord!Chapter 28
1To you, O Lord, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me, lest, if you be silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit. 2 Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary. 3Do not drag me off with the wicked, with the workers of evil, who speak peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts. 4 Give to them according to their work and according to the evil of their deeds; give to them according to the work of their hands; render them their due reward. 5Because they do not regard the works of the Lord or the work of his hands, he will tear them down and build them up no more. 6Blessed be the Lord! For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. 7The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him. 8The Lord is the strength of his people; he is the saving refuge of his anointed. 9Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever.Chapter 29
1Ascribe to the Lord, O 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 holiness. 3The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the Lord, over many waters. 4The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. 5The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars; the Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon. 6He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox. 7The voice of the Lord flashes forth flames of fire. 8The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the wilderness of Kadesh. 9The voice of the 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 sits enthroned as king forever. 11May the Lord give strength to his people! May the Lord bless his people with peace!Chapter 30
1 I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me up and have not let my foes rejoice over me. 2O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. 3O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit. 4Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints, and give thanks to his holy name. 5 For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning. 6As for me, I said in my prosperity, "I shall never be moved." 7By your favor, O Lord, you made my mountain stand strong; you hid your face; I was dismayed. 8To you, O Lord, I cry, and to the Lord I plead for mercy: 9"What profit is there in my death, if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you? Will it tell of your faithfulness? 10 Hear, O Lord, and be merciful to me! O Lord, be my helper!" 11You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, 12that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!Chapter 31
1 In you, O Lord, do I take refuge; let me never be put to shame; in your righteousness deliver me! 2Incline your ear to me; rescue me speedily! Be a rock of refuge for me, a strong fortress to save me! 3For you are my rock and my fortress; and for your name 's sake you lead me and guide me; 4you take me out of the net they have hidden for me, for you are my refuge. 5 Into your hand I commit my spirit; you have redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God. 6I hate those who pay regard to worthless idols, but I trust in the Lord. 7I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul, 8and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place. 9Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also. 10For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away. 11Because of all my adversaries I have become a reproach, especially to my neighbors, and an object of dread to my acquaintances; those who see me in the street flee from me. 12I have been forgotten like one who is dead; I have become like a broken vessel. 13For I hear the whispering of many — terror on every side! — as they scheme together against me, as they plot to take my life. 14But I trust in you, O Lord; I say, "You are my God." 15My times are in your hand; rescue me from the hand of my enemies and from my persecutors! 16 Make your face shine on your servant; save me in your steadfast love! 17O Lord, let me not be put to shame, for I call upon you; let the wicked be put to shame; let them go silently to Sheol. 18Let the lying lips be mute, which speak insolently against the righteous in pride and contempt. 19Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! 20In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues. 21Blessed be the Lord, for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me when I was in a besieged city. 22I had said in my alarm, "I am cut off from your sight." But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy when I cried to you for help. 23Love the Lord, all you his saints! The Lord preserves the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. 24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!New International Version
Chapter 23
1A psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. 2He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, 3he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.
4Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
6Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.
2for he founded it on the seas and established it on the waters.
3Who may ascend the mountain of the Lord? Who may stand in his holy place?
4The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not trust in an idol or swear by a false god.
5They will receive blessing from the Lord and vindication from God their Savior.
6Such is the generation of those who seek him, who seek your face, God of Jacob.
7Lift up your heads, you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
8Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.
9Lift up your heads, you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in.
10Who is he, this King of glory? The Lord Almighty— he is the King of glory.
Chapter 25
1Of David. In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. 2I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me.
3No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.
4Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths.
5Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.
6Remember, Lord, your great mercy and love, for they are from of old.
7Do not remember the sins of my youth and my rebellious ways; according to your love remember me, for you, Lord, are good.
8Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways.
9He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way.
10All the ways of the Lord are loving and faithful toward those who keep the demands of his covenant.
11For the sake of your name, Lord, forgive my iniquity, though it is great.
12Who, then, are those who fear the Lord? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose.
13They will spend their days in prosperity, and their descendants will inherit the land.
14The Lord confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.
15My eyes are ever on the Lord, for only he will release my feet from the snare.
16Turn to me and be gracious to me, for I am lonely and afflicted.
17Relieve the troubles of my heart and free me from my anguish.
18Look on my affliction and my distress and take away all my sins.
19See how numerous are my enemies and how fiercely they hate me!
20Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
21May integrity and uprightness protect me, because my hope, Lord, is in you.
22Deliver Israel, O God, from all their troubles!
Chapter 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.
8 Lord, 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.
Chapter 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
Chapter 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 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 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 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.
Chapter 30
1A psalm. A song. For the dedication of the temple. Of David. I will exalt you, Lord, for you lifted me out of the depths and did not let my enemies gloat over me. 2 Lord 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."
7 Lord, when you favored me, you made my royal mountain 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.
Chapter 31
1For the director of music. A psalm of David. In you, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness. 2Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. 3Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me. 4Keep me free from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.
5Into your hands I commit my spirit; deliver me, Lord, my faithful God.
6I hate those who cling to worthless idols; as for me, I trust in the Lord.
7I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.
8You have not given me into the hands of the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.
9Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and body with grief.
10My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak.
11Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors and an object of dread to my closest friends— those who see me on the street flee from me.
12I am forgotten as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery.
13For I hear many whispering, "Terror on every side!" They conspire against me and plot to take my life.
14But I trust in you, Lord; I say, "You are my God."
15My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.
16Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.
17Let me not be put to shame, Lord, for I have cried out to you; but let the wicked be put to shame and be silent in the realm of the dead.
18Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous.
19How abundant are the good things that you have stored up for those who fear you, that you bestow in the sight of all, on those who take refuge in you.
New King James Version
Chapter 23
1{A Psalm of David.} The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. 3He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. 4Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. 5You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. 6Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the Lord Forever.Chapter 24
1{A Psalm of David.} The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, The world and those who dwell therein. 2For He has founded it upon the seas, And established it upon the waters. 3 Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? 4He who has clean hands and a pure heart, Who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, Nor sworn deceitfully. 5He shall receive blessing from the Lord, And righteousness from the God of his salvation.
7 Lift up your heads, O you gates! And be lifted up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.
8Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, The Lord mighty in battle.
9Lift up your heads, O you gates! Lift up, you everlasting doors! And the King of glory shall come in.
