PSALM 10

1 Why dost thou stand afar off, O Lord?

Why dost thou hide thyself in times of trouble?

2 In arrogance the wicked hotly pursue the poor;

let them be caught in the schemes which they have devised.

3 For the wicked boasts of the desires of his heart,

and the man greedy for gain curses and renounces the Lord.

4 In the pride of his countenance the wicked does not seek him;

all his thoughts are, “There is no God.”

5 His ways prosper at all times;

thy judgments are on high, out of his sight;

as for all his foes, he puffs at them.

6 He thinks in his heart, “I shall not be moved;

throughout all generations I shall not meet adversity.”

7 His mouth is filled with cursing and deceit and oppression;

under his tongue are mischief and iniquity.

8 He sits in ambush in the villages;

in hiding places he murders the innocent.

His eyes stealthily watch for the hapless,

9 he lurks in secret like a lion in his covert;

he lurks that he may seize the poor,

he seizes the poor when he draws him into his net.

10 The hapless is crushed, sinks down,

and falls by his might.

11 He thinks in his heart, “God has forgotten,

he has hidden his face, he will never see it.”

12 Arise, O Lord; O God, lift up thy hand;

forget not the afflicted.

13 Why does the wicked renounce God,

and say in his heart, “Thou wilt not call to account”?

14 Thou dost see; yea, thou dost note trouble and vexation,

that thou mayest take it into thy hands;

the hapless commits himself to thee;

thou hast been the helper of the fatherless.

15 Break thou the arm of the wicked and evildoer;

seek out his wickedness till thou find none.

16 The Lord is king for ever and ever;

the nations shall perish from his land.

17 O Lord, thou wilt hear the desire of the meek;

thou wilt strengthen their heart, thou wilt incline thy ear

18 to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed,

so that man who is of the earth may strike terror no more.

PSALM 19

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1 The heavens are telling the glory of God;

and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.

2 Day to day pours forth speech,

and night to night declares knowledge.

3 There is no speech, nor are there words;

their voice is not heard;

4 yet their voice* goes out through all the earth,

and their words to the end of the world.

In them he has set a tent for the sun,

5 which comes forth like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,

and like a strong man runs its course with joy.

6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens,

and its circuit to the end of them;

and there is nothing hid from its heat.

7 The law of the Lord is perfect,

reviving the soul;

the testimony of the Lord is sure,

making wise the simple;

8 the precepts of the Lord are right,

rejoicing the heart;

the commandment of the Lord is pure,

enlightening the eyes;

9 the fear of the Lord is clean,

enduring for ever;

the ordinances of the Lord are true,

and righteous altogether.

10 More to be desired are they than gold,

even much fine gold;

sweeter also than honey

and drippings of the honeycomb.

11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned;

in keeping them there is great reward.

12 But who can discern his errors?

Clear thou me from hidden faults.

13 Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins;

let them not have dominion over me!

Then I shall be blameless,

and innocent of great transgression.

14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart

be acceptable in thy sight,

O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.

PSALM 20

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.

1 The Lord answer you in the day of trouble!

The name of the God of Jacob protect you!

2 May he send you help from the sanctuary,

and give you support from Zion!

3 May he remember all your offerings,

and regard with favor your burnt sacrifices! [Selah]

4 May he grant you your heart’s desire,

and fulfil all your plans!

5 May we shout for joy over your victory,

and in the name of our God set up our banners!

May the Lord fulfil all your petitions!

6 Now I know that the Lord will help his anointed;

he will answer him from his holy heaven

with mighty victories by his right hand.

7 Some boast of chariots, and some of horses;

but we boast of the name of the Lord our God.

8 They will collapse and fall;

but we shall rise and stand upright.

9 Give victory to the king, O Lord;

answer us when we call.l