Psalm 13–15

Psalm 13

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

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

How long will you look the other way?

²How 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?

³Turn and answer me, O Lord my God!

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

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

Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.

⁵But I trust in your unfailing love.

I will rejoice because you have rescued me.

⁶I will sing to the Lord

because he is good to me.

Psalm 14

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

¹Only fools say in their hearts,

“There is no God.”

They are corrupt, and their actions are evil;

not one of them does good!

²The Lord looks down from heaven

on the entire human race;

he looks to see if anyone is truly wise,

if anyone seeks God.

³But no, all have turned away;

all have become corrupt.

No one does good,

not a single one!

⁴Will those who do evil never learn?

They eat up my people like bread

and wouldn’t think of praying to the Lord.

⁵Terror will grip them,

for God is with those who obey him.

⁶The wicked frustrate the plans of the oppressed,

but the Lord will protect his people.

⁷Who will come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel?

When the Lord restores his people,

Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice.

Psalm 15

A psalm of David.

¹Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord?

Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?

²Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right,

speaking the truth from sincere hearts.

³Those who refuse to gossip

or harm their neighbors

or speak evil of their friends.

⁴Those who despise flagrant sinners,

and honor the faithful followers of the Lord,

and keep their promises even when it hurts.

⁵Those who lend money without charging interest,

and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent.

Such people will stand firm forever.