Psalm 23–25

Psalm 23

A psalm by David. 

¹The Lord is my shepherd. 

I am never in need. 

²He makes me lie down in green pastures. 

He leads me beside peaceful waters. 

³He renews my soul. 

He guides me along the paths of righteousness 

for the sake of his name. 

⁴Even though I walk through the dark valley of death, 

because you are with me, I fear no harm. 

Your rod and your staff give me courage. 

⁵You prepare a banquet for me while my enemies watch. 

You anoint my head with oil. 

My cup overflows. 

⁶Certainly, goodness and mercy will stay close to me all the days of my life, 

and I will remain in the Lord’s house for days without end. 

Psalm 24

A psalm by David. 

¹The earth and everything it contains are the Lord’s. 

The world and all who live in it are his. 

²He laid its foundation on the seas 

and set it firmly on the rivers. 

³Who may go up the Lord’s mountain? 

Who may stand in his holy place? 

⁴⸤The one who⸥ has clean hands and a pure heart 

and does not long for what is false 

or lie when he is under oath. 

⁵⸤This person⸥ will receive a blessing from the Lord 

and righteousness from God, his savior. 

⁶This is the person who seeks him, 

who searches for the face of the God of Jacob.^b

Selah 

⁷Lift your heads, you gates. 

Be lifted, you ancient doors, 

so that the king of glory may come in. 

⁸Who is this king of glory? 

The Lord, strong and mighty! 

The Lord, heroic in battle! 

⁹Lift your heads, you gates. 

Be lifted, you ancient doors, 

so that the king of glory may come in. 

¹⁰Who, then, is this king of glory? 

The Lord of Armies is the king of glory! 

Selah 

Psalm 25^a

By David. 

¹To you, O Lord, I lift my soul. 

²I trust you, O my God. 

Do not let me be put to shame. 

Do not let my enemies triumph over me. 

³No one who waits for you will ever be put to shame, 

but all who are unfaithful will be put to shame. 

⁴Make your ways known to me, O Lord, 

and teach me your paths. 

⁵Lead me in your truth and teach me 

because you are God, my savior. 

I wait all day long for you. 

⁶Remember, O Lord, your compassionate and merciful deeds. 

They have existed from eternity. 

⁷Do not remember the sins of my youth or my rebellious ways. 

Remember me, O Lord, in keeping with your mercy and your goodness. 

⁸The Lord is good and decent. 

That is why he teaches sinners the way they should live. 

⁹He leads humble people to do what is right, 

and he teaches them his way. 

¹⁰Every path of the Lord is ⸤one of⸥ mercy and truth 

for those who cling to his promise^band written instructions. 

¹¹For the sake of your name, O Lord, 

remove my guilt, because it is great. 

¹²Who, then, is this person that fears the Lord? 

He is the one whom the Lord will teach which path to choose. 

¹³He will enjoy good things in life, 

and his descendants will inherit the land. 

¹⁴The Lord advises those who fear him. 

He reveals to them the intent of his promise. 

¹⁵My eyes are always on the Lord. 

He removes my feet from traps. 

¹⁶Turn to me, and have pity on me. 

I am lonely and oppressed. 

¹⁷Relieve my troubled heart, 

and bring me out of my distress. 

¹⁸Look at my misery and suffering, 

and forgive all my sins. 

¹⁹See how my enemies have increased in number, 

how they have hated me with vicious hatred! 

²⁰Protect my life, and rescue me! 

Do not let me be put to shame. 

I have taken refuge in you. 

²¹Integrity and honesty will protect me because I wait for you. 

²²Rescue Israel, O God, from all its troubles!