Psalm 23–25

Psalm 23

A psalm of David.

¹The Lord is my shepherd;

I have all that I need.

²He lets me rest in green meadows;

he leads me beside peaceful streams.

³He renews my strength.

He guides me along right paths,

bringing honor to his name.

⁴Even when I walk

through the darkest valley,

I will not be afraid,

for you are close beside me.

Your rod and your staff

protect and comfort me.

⁵You prepare a feast for me

in the presence of my enemies.

You honor me by anointing my head with oil.

My cup overflows with blessings.

⁶Surely your goodness and unfailing love will pursue me

all the days of my life,

and I will live in the house of the Lord

forever.

Psalm 24

A psalm of David.

¹The earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it.

The world and all its people belong to him.

²For he laid the earth’s foundation on the seas

and built it on the ocean depths.

³Who may climb the mountain of the Lord?

Who may stand in his holy place?

⁴Only those whose hands and hearts are pure,

who do not worship idols

and never tell lies.

⁵They will receive the Lord’s blessing

and have a right relationship with God their savior.

⁶Such people may seek you

and worship in your presence, O God of Jacob.

Interlude

⁷Open up, ancient gates!

Open up, ancient doors,

and let the King of glory enter.

⁸Who is the King of glory?

The Lord, strong and mighty;

the Lord, invincible in battle.

⁹Open up, ancient gates!

Open up, ancient doors,

and let the King of glory enter.

¹⁰Who is the King of glory?

The Lord of Heaven’s Armies—

he is the King of glory.

Interlude

Psalm 25

A psalm of David.

¹O Lord, I give my life to you.

²I trust in you, my God!

Do not let me be disgraced,

or let my enemies rejoice in my defeat.

³No one who trusts in you will ever be disgraced,

but disgrace comes to those who try to deceive others.

⁴Show me the right path, O Lord;

point out the road for me to follow.

⁵Lead me by your truth and teach me,

for you are the God who saves me.

All day long I put my hope in you.

⁶Remember, O Lord, your compassion and unfailing love,

which you have shown from long ages past.

⁷Do not remember the rebellious sins of my youth.

Remember me in the light of your unfailing love,

for you are merciful, O Lord.

⁸The Lord is good and does what is right;

he shows the proper path to those who go astray.

⁹He leads the humble in doing right,

teaching them his way.

¹⁰The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness

all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.

¹¹For the honor of your name, O Lord,

forgive my many, many sins.

¹²Who are those who fear the Lord?

He will show them the path they should choose.

¹³They will live in prosperity,

and their children will inherit the land.

¹⁴The Lord is a friend to those who fear him.

He teaches them his covenant.

¹⁵My eyes are always on the Lord,

for he rescues me from the traps of my enemies.

¹⁶Turn to me and have mercy,

for I am alone and in deep distress.

¹⁷My problems go from bad to worse.

Oh, save me from them all!

¹⁸Feel my pain and see my trouble.

Forgive all my sins.

¹⁹See how many enemies I have

and how viciously they hate me!

²⁰Protect me! Rescue my life from them!

Do not let me be disgraced, for in you I take refuge.

²¹May integrity and honesty protect me,

for I put my hope in you.

²²O God, ransom Israel

from all its troubles.