PSALM 31

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1 In thee, O Lord, do I seek refuge;

let me never be put to shame;

in thy righteousness deliver me!

2 Incline thy ear to me,

rescue me speedily!

Be thou a rock of refuge for me,

a strong fortress to save me!

3 Yea, thou art my rock and my fortress;

for thy name’s sake lead me and guide me,

4 take me out of the net which is hidden for me,

for thou art my refuge.

5 Into thy hand I commit my spirit;

thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, faithful God.

6 Thou hatest* those who pay regard to vain idols;

but I trust in the Lord.

7 I will rejoice and be glad for thy steadfast love,

because thou hast seen my affliction,

thou hast taken heed of my adversities,

8 and hast not delivered me into the hand of the enemy;

thou hast set my feet in a broad place.

9 Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am in distress;

my eye is wasted from grief,

my soul and my body also.

10 For my life is spent with sorrow,

and my years with sighing;

my strength fails because of my misery,l

and my bones waste away.

11 I am the scorn of all my adversaries,

a horrorm to my neighbors,

an object of dread to my acquaintances;

those who see me in the street flee from me.

12 I have passed out of mind like one who is dead;

I have become like a broken vessel.

13 Yea, I hear the whispering of many—

terror on every side!—

as they scheme together against me,

as they plot to take my life.

14 But I trust in thee, O Lord,

I say, “Thou art my God.”

15 My times are in thy hand;

deliver me from the hand of my enemies and persecutors!

16 Let thy face shine on thy servant;

save me in thy steadfast love!

17 Let me not be put to shame, O Lord,

for I call on thee;

let the wicked be put to shame,

let them go dumbfounded to Sheol.

18 Let the lying lips be dumb,

which speak insolently against the righteous

in pride and contempt.

19 O how abundant is thy goodness,

which thou hast laid up for those who fear thee,

and wrought for those who take refuge in thee,

in the sight of the sons of men!

20 In the covert of thy presence thou hidest them

from the plots of men;

thou holdest them safe under thy shelter

from the strife of tongues.

21 Blessed be the Lord,

for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me

when I was beset as in a besieged city.

22 I had said in my alarm,

“I am driven farn from thy sight.”

But thou didst hear my supplications,

when I cried to thee for help.

23 Love the Lord, all you his saints!

The Lord preserves the faithful,

but abundantly requites him who acts haughtily.

24 Be strong, and let your heart take courage,

all you who wait for the Lord!

PSALM 24

A Psalm of David.

1 The earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof,

the world and those who dwell therein;

2 for 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.

5 He will receive blessing from the Lord,

and vindication from the God of his salvation.

6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,

who seek the face of the God of Jacob.z [Selah]

7 Lift up your heads, O gates!

and be lifted up, O ancient doors!

that the King of glory may come in.

8 Who is the King of glory?

The Lord, strong and mighty,

the Lord, mighty in battle!

9 Lift up your heads, O gates!

and be lifted up,* O ancient doors!

that the King of glory may come in.

10 Who is this King of glory?

The Lord of hosts,

he is the King of glory! [Selah]

PSALM 25

A Psalm of David.

1 To thee, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

2 O my God, in thee I trust,

let me not be put to shame;

let not my enemies exult over me.

3 Yea, let none that wait for thee be put to shame;

let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

4 Make me to know thy ways, O Lord;

teach me thy paths.

5 Lead me in thy truth, and teach me,

for thou art the God of my salvation;

for thee I wait all the day long.

6 Be mindful of thy mercy, O Lord, and of thy steadfast love,

for they have been from of old.

7 Remember not the sins of my youth, or my transgressions;

according to thy steadfast love remember me,

for thy goodness’ sake, O Lord!

8 Good and upright is the Lord;

therefore he instructs sinners in the way.

9 He leads the humble in what is right,

and teaches the humble his way.

10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,

for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

11 For thy name’s sake, O Lord,

pardon my guilt, for it is great.

12 Who is the man that fears the Lord?

Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.

13 He himself shall abide in prosperity,

and his children shall possess the land.

14 The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him,

and he makes known to them his covenant.

15 My eyes are ever toward the Lord,

for he will pluck my feet out of the net.

16 Turn thou to me, and be gracious to me;

for I am lonely and afflicted.

17 Relieve the troubles of my heart,

and bring meb out of my distresses.

18 Consider my affliction and my trouble,

and forgive all my sins.

19 Consider how many are my foes,

and with what violent hatred they hate me.

20 Oh guard my life, and deliver me;

let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in thee.

21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me,

for I wait for thee.

22 Redeem Israel, O God,

out of all his troubles.