Psalm 15–16

What God Requires^u

15 Lord, who may enter your Temple?

Who may worship on Zion, your sacred hill?^v

²Those who obey God in everything

and always do what is right,

whose words are true and sincere,

³and who do not slander others.

They do no wrong to their friends

nor spread rumours about their neighbours.

⁴They despise those whom God rejects,

but honour those who obey the Lord.

They always do what they promise,

no matter how much it may cost.

⁵They make loans without charging interest

and cannot be bribed to testify against the innocent.

Whoever does these things will always be secure.

A Prayer of Confidence^w

16 Protect me, O God; I trust in you for safety.

²I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;

all the good things I have come from you.”

³How excellent are the Lord’s faithful people!

My greatest pleasure is to be with them.

⁴Those who rush to other gods

bring many troubles on themselves.^x I will not take part in their sacrifices;

I will not worship their gods.

⁵You, Lord, are all I have,

and you give me all I need;

my future is in your hands.

⁶How wonderful are your gifts to me;

how good they are!

⁷I praise the Lord, because he guides me,

and in the night my conscience warns me.

^8*I am always aware of the Lord’s presence;

he is near, and nothing can shake me.

^9*And so I am thankful and glad,

and I feel completely secure,

^10*because you protect me from the power of death.

I have served you faithfully,

and you will not abandon me to the world of the dead.

^11*You will show me the path that leads to life;

your presence fills me with joy

and brings me pleasure for ever.