Psalm 26:title–28:9

The Prayer of a Good Man^q

26 Declare me innocent, O Lord,

because I do what is right

and trust you completely.

²Examine me and test me, Lord;

judge my desires and thoughts.

³Your constant love is my guide;

your faithfulness always leads me.^r

⁴I do not keep company with worthless people;

I have nothing to do with hypocrites.

⁵I hate the company of the evil

and avoid the wicked.

⁶Lord, I wash my hands to show that I am innocent

and march in worship round your altar.

⁷I sing a hymn of thanksgiving

and tell of all your wonderful deeds.

⁸I love the house where you live, O Lord,

the place where your glory dwells.

⁹Do not destroy me with the sinners;

spare me from the fate of murderers-

¹⁰those who do evil all the time

and are always ready to take bribes.

¹¹As for me, I do what is right;

be merciful to me and save me!

¹²I am safe from all dangers;

in the assembly of his people I praise the Lord.

A Prayer of Praise^s

27 The Lord is my light and my salvation;

I will fear no one. The Lord protects me from all danger;

I will never be afraid.

²When evil people attack me and try to kill me,

they stumble and fall.

³Even if a whole army surrounds me,

I will not be afraid;

even if enemies attack me,

I will still trust God.^t

⁴I have asked the Lord for one thing;

one thing only do I want: to live in the Lord’s house all my life,

to marvel there at his goodness,

and to ask for his guidance.

⁵In times of trouble he will shelter me;

he will keep me safe in his Temple

and make me secure on a high rock.

⁶So I will triumph over my enemies around me.

With shouts of joy I will offer sacrifices in his Temple;

I will sing, I will praise the Lord.

⁷Hear me, Lord, when I call to you!

Be merciful and answer me!

⁸When you said, “Come and worship me,”

I answered, “I will come, Lord;

⁹don’t hide yourself from me!”

Don’t be angry with me;

don’t turn your servant away.

You have been my help;

don’t leave me, don’t abandon me,

O God, my saviour.

¹⁰My father and mother may abandon me,

but the Lord will take care of me.

¹¹Teach me, Lord, what you want me to do,

and lead me along a safe path,

because I have many enemies.

¹²Don’t abandon me to my enemies,

who attack me with lies and threats.

¹³I know that I will live to see

the Lord’s goodness in this present life.

¹⁴Trust in the Lord.

Have faith, do not despair.

Trust in the Lord.

A Prayer for Help^u

28 O Lord, my defender, I call to you.

Listen to my cry!

If you do not answer me,

I will be among those who go down to the world of the dead.

²Hear me when I cry to you for help,

when I lift my hands towards your holy Temple.

³Do not condemn me with the wicked,

with those who do evil—

those whose words are friendly,

but who have hatred in their hearts.

^4*Punish them for what they have done,

for the evil they have committed.

Punish them for all their deeds;

give them what they deserve!

⁵They take no notice of what the Lord has done

or of what he has made;

so he will punish them

and destroy them for ever.

⁶Give praise to the Lord;

he has heard my cry for help.

⁷The Lord protects and defends me;

I trust in him.

He gives me help and makes me glad;

I praise him with joyful songs.

⁸The Lord protects his people;

he defends and saves his chosen king.

⁹Save your people, Lord,

and bless those who are yours.

Be their shepherd,

and take care of them for ever.