Psalm 26–28

A David Psalm

¹26Clear my name, God;

I’ve kept an honest shop.

I’ve thrown in my lot with you, God, and

I’m not budging.

²Examine me, God, from head to foot,

order your battery of tests.

Make sure I’m fit

inside and out

³So I never lose

sight of your love,

But keep in step with you,

never missing a beat.

^4–5I don’t hang out with tricksters,

I don’t pal around with thugs;

I hate that pack of gangsters,

I don’t deal with double-dealers.

^6–7I scrub my hands with purest soap,

then join hands with the others in the great circle,

dancing around your altar, God,

Singing God-songs at the top of my lungs,

telling God-stories.

^8–10God, I love living with you;

your house glows with your glory.

When it’s time for spring cleaning,

don’t sweep me out with the quacks and crooks,

Men with bags of dirty tricks,

women with purses stuffed with bribe-money.

^11–12You know I’ve been aboveboard with you;

now be aboveboard with me.

I’m on the level with you, God;

I bless you every chance I get.

A David Psalm

¹27Light, space, zest—

that’s God!

So, with him on my side I’m fearless,

afraid of no one and nothing.

²When vandal hordes ride down

ready to eat me alive,

Those bullies and toughs

fall flat on their faces.

³When besieged,

I’m calm as a baby.

When all hell breaks loose,

I’m collected and cool.

⁴I’m asking God for one thing,

only one thing:

To live with him in his house

my whole life long.

I’ll contemplate his beauty;

I’ll study at his feet.

⁵That’s the only quiet, secure place

in a noisy world,

The perfect getaway,

far from the buzz of traffic.

⁶God holds me head and shoulders

above all who try to pull me down.

I’m headed for his place to offer anthems

that will raise the roof!

Already I’m singing God-songs;

I’m making music to God.

^7–9Listen, God, I’m calling at the top of my lungs:

“Be good to me! Answer me!”

When my heart whispered, “Seek God,”

my whole being replied,

“I’m seeking him!”

Don’t hide from me now!

^9–10You’ve always been right there for me;

don’t turn your back on me now.

Don’t throw me out, don’t abandon me;

you’ve always kept the door open.

My father and mother walked out and left me,

but God took me in.

^11–12Point me down your highway, God;

direct me along a well-lighted street;

show my enemies whose side you’re on.

Don’t throw me to the dogs,

those liars who are out to get me,

filling the air with their threats.

^13–14I’m sure now I’ll see God’s goodness

in the exuberant earth.

Stay with God!

Take heart. Don’t quit.

I’ll say it again:

Stay with God.

A David Psalm

¹28Don’t turn a deaf ear

when I call you, God.

If all I get from you is

deafening silence,

I’d be better off

in the Black Hole.

²I’m letting you know what I need,

calling out for help

And lifting my arms

toward your inner sanctum.

^3–4Don’t shove me into

the same jail cell with those crooks,

With those who are

full-time employees of evil.

They talk a good line of “peace,”

then moonlight for the Devil.

Pay them back for what they’ve done,

for how bad they’ve been.

Pay them back for their long hours

in the Devil’s workshop;

Then cap it with a huge bonus.

⁵Because they have no idea how God works

or what he is up to,

God will smash them to smithereens

and walk away from the ruins.

^6–7Blessed be God—

he heard me praying.

He proved he’s on my side;

I’ve thrown my lot in with him.

Now I’m jumping for joy,

and shouting and singing my thanks to him.

^8–9God is all strength for his people,

ample refuge for his chosen leader;

Save your people

and bless your heritage.

Care for them;

carry them like a good shepherd.