Psalm 11–13

Psalm 11

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

1 I trust in the Lord for protection.

So why do you say to me,

“Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety!

2 The wicked are stringing their bows

and fitting their arrows on the bowstrings.

They shoot from the shadows

at those whose hearts are right.

3 The foundations of law and order have collapsed.

What can the righteous do?”

4 But the Lord is in his holy Temple;

the Lord still rules from heaven.

He watches everyone closely,

examining every person on earth.

5 The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked.

He hates those who love violence.

6 He will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked,

punishing them with scorching winds.

7 For the righteous Lord loves justice.

The virtuous will see his face.

Psalm 12

For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by an eight-stringed instrument.*

1 Help, O Lord, for the godly are fast disappearing!

The faithful have vanished from the earth!

2 Neighbors lie to each other,

speaking with flattering lips and deceitful hearts.

3 May the Lord cut off their flattering lips

and silence their boastful tongues.

4 They say, “We will lie to our hearts’ content.

Our lips are our own—who can stop us?”

5 The Lord replies, “I have seen violence done to the helpless,

and I have heard the groans of the poor.

Now I will rise up to rescue them,

as they have longed for me to do.”

6 The Lord’s promises are pure,

like silver refined in a furnace,

purified seven times over.

7 Therefore, Lord, we know you will protect the oppressed,

preserving them forever from this lying generation,

8 even though the wicked strut about,

and evil is praised throughout the land.

Psalm 13

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

1 O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever?

How long will you look the other way?

2 How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul,

with sorrow in my heart every day?

How long will my enemy have the upper hand?

3 Turn and answer me, O Lord my God!

Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.

4 Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!”

Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.

5 But I trust in your unfailing love.

I will rejoice because you have rescued me.

6 I will sing to the Lord

because he is good to me.