Psalm 26:1–28:9

¹Declare me innocent, O Lord,

for I have acted with integrity;

I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.

²Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me.

Test my motives and my heart.

³For I am always aware of your unfailing love,

and I have lived according to your truth.

⁴I do not spend time with liars

or go along with hypocrites.

⁵I hate the gatherings of those who do evil,

and I refuse to join in with the wicked.

⁶I wash my hands to declare my innocence.

I come to your altar, O Lord,

⁷singing a song of thanksgiving

and telling of all your wonders.

⁸I love your sanctuary, Lord,

the place where your glorious presence dwells.

⁹Don’t let me suffer the fate of sinners.

Don’t condemn me along with murderers.

¹⁰Their hands are dirty with evil schemes,

and they constantly take bribes.

¹¹But I am not like that; I live with integrity.

So redeem me and show me mercy.

¹²Now I stand on solid ground,

and I will publicly praise the Lord.

Psalm 27

A psalm of David.

¹The Lord is my light and my salvation—

so why should I be afraid?

The Lord is my fortress, protecting me from danger,

so why should I tremble?

²When evil people come to devour me,

when my enemies and foes attack me,

they will stumble and fall.

³Though a mighty army surrounds me,

my heart will not be afraid.

Even if I am attacked,

I will remain confident.

⁴The one thing I ask of the Lord—

the thing I seek most—

is to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life,

delighting in the Lord’s perfections

and meditating in his Temple.

⁵For he will conceal me there when troubles come;

he will hide me in his sanctuary.

He will place me out of reach on a high rock.

⁶Then I will hold my head high

above my enemies who surround me.

At his sanctuary I will offer sacrifices with shouts of joy,

singing and praising the Lord with music.

⁷Hear me as I pray, O Lord.

Be merciful and answer me!

⁸My heart has heard you say, “Come and talk with me.”

And my heart responds, “Lord, I am coming.”

⁹Do not turn your back on me.

Do not reject your servant in anger.

You have always been my helper.

Don’t leave me now; don’t abandon me,

O God of my salvation!

¹⁰Even if my father and mother abandon me,

the Lord will hold me close.

¹¹Teach me how to live, O Lord.

Lead me along the right path,

for my enemies are waiting for me.

¹²Do not let me fall into their hands.

For they accuse me of things I’ve never done;

with every breath they threaten me with violence.

¹³Yet I am confident I will see the Lord’s goodness

while I am here in the land of the living.

¹⁴Wait patiently for the Lord.

Be brave and courageous.

Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.

Psalm 28

A psalm of David.

¹I pray to you, O Lord, my rock.

Do not turn a deaf ear to me.

For if you are silent,

I might as well give up and die.

²Listen to my prayer for mercy

as I cry out to you for help,

as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary.

³Do not drag me away with the wicked—

with those who do evil—

those who speak friendly words to their neighbors

while planning evil in their hearts.

⁴Give them the punishment they so richly deserve!

Measure it out in proportion to their wickedness.

Pay them back for all their evil deeds!

Give them a taste of what they have done to others.

⁵They care nothing for what the Lord has done

or for what his hands have made.

So he will tear them down,

and they will never be rebuilt!

⁶Praise the Lord!

For he has heard my cry for mercy.

⁷The Lord is my strength and shield.

I trust him with all my heart.

He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.

I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.

⁸The Lord gives his people strength.

He is a safe fortress for his anointed king.

⁹Save your people!

Bless Israel, your special possession.

Lead them like a shepherd,

and carry them in your arms forever.