PSALM 2

1 Why do the nations conspire,

and the peoples plot in vain?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves,

and the rulers take counsel together,

against the Lord and his anointed, saying,

3 “Let us burst their bonds asunder,

and cast their cords from us.”

4 He who sits in the heavens laughs;

the Lord has them in derision.

5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath,

and terrify them in his fury, saying,

6 “I have set my king

on Zion, my holy hill.”

7 I will tell of the decree of the Lord:

He said to me, “You are my son,

today I have begotten you.

8 Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage,

and the ends of the earth your possession.

9 You shall break them with a rod of iron,

and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.”

10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise;

be warned, O rulers of the earth.

11 Serve the Lord with fear,

with trembling 12 kiss his feet,*

lest he be angry, and you perish in the way;

for his wrath is quickly kindled.

Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

PSALM 3

A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son.

1 O Lord, how many are my foes!

Many are rising against me;

2 many are saying of me,

there is no help for him in God. [Selah]

3 But thou, O Lord, art a shield about me,

my glory, and the lifter of my head.

4 I cry aloud to the Lord,

and he answers me from his holy hill. [Selah]

5 I lie down and sleep;

I wake again, for the Lord sustains me.

6 I am not afraid of ten thousands of people

who have set themselves against me round about.

7 Arise, O Lord!

Deliver me, O my God!

For thou dost smite all my enemies on the cheek,

thou dost break the teeth of the wicked.

8 Deliverance belongs to the Lord;

thy blessing be upon thy people! [Selah]

PSALM 4

To the choirmaster: with stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

1 Answer me when I call, O God of my right!

Thou hast given me room when I was in distress.

Be gracious to me, and hear my prayer.

2 O men, how long shall my honor suffer shame?

How long will you love vain words, and seek after lies? [Selah]

3 But know that the Lord has set apart the godly for himself;

the Lord hears when I call to him.

4 Be angry, but sin not;

commune with your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. [Selah]

5 Offer right sacrifices,

and put your trust in the Lord.

6 There are many who say, “O that we might see some good!

Lift up the light of thy countenance upon us, O Lord!”

7 Thou hast put more joy in my heart

than they have when their grain and wine abound.

8 In peace I will both lie down and sleep;

for thou alone, O Lord, makest me dwell in safety.

PSALM 5

To the choirmaster: for the flutes. A Psalm of David.

1 Give ear to my words, O Lord;

give heed to my groaning.

2 Hearken to the sound of my cry,

my King and my God,

for to thee do I pray.

3 O Lord, in the morning thou dost hear my voice;

in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for thee, and watch.

4 For thou art not a God who delights in wickedness;

evil may not sojourn with thee.

5 The boastful may not stand before thy eyes;

thou hatest all evildoers.

6 Thou destroyest those who speak lies;

the Lord abhors bloodthirsty and deceitful men.

7 But I through the abundance of thy steadfast love

will enter thy house,

I will worship toward thy holy temple

in the fear of thee.

8 Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness

because of my enemies;

make thy way straight before me.

9 For there is no truth in their mouth;

their heart is destruction,

their throat is an open sepulchre,

they flatter with their tongue.

10 Make them bear their guilt, O God;

let them fall by their own counsels;

because of their many transgressions cast them out,

for they have rebelled against thee.

11 But let all who take refuge in thee rejoice,

let them ever sing for joy;

and do thou defend them,

that those who love thy name may exult in thee.

12 For thou dost bless the righteous, O Lord;

thou dost cover him with favor as with a shield.