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Psalm 26-30
Easy-to-Read Version
Psalm 26-30
Easy-to-Read Version
A song of David.
26 Lord, you be the judge and prove that I have lived a pure life.
I have depended on you, Lord, to keep me from falling.
2 Look closely at me, Lord, and test me.
Judge my deepest thoughts and emotions.
3 I always remember your faithful love.
I depend on your faithfulness.
4 I don’t run around with troublemakers.
I have nothing to do with hypocrites.
5 I hate being around evil people.
I refuse to join those gangs of crooks.
6 Lord, I wash my hands to make myself pure,
so that I can come to your altar.
7 I sing a song to give you thanks,
and I tell about all the wonderful things you have done.
8 Lord, I love the house[a] where you live,
the place where your glory is.
9 Lord, don’t treat me like one of those sinners.
Don’t kill me with those murderers.
10 They are guilty of cheating people.
They take bribes to do wrong.
11 But I am innocent,
so be kind to me and save me.
12 I am safe from all danger
as I stand here praising you, Lord, in the assembly of your people.
A song of David.
27 Lord, you are my Light and my Savior,
so why should I be afraid of anyone?
The Lord is where my life is safe,
so I will be afraid of no one!
2 Evil people might attack me.
They might try to destroy my body.
Yes, my enemies might attack me and try to destroy me,
but they will stumble and fall.
3 Even if an army surrounds me, I will not be afraid.
Even if people attack me in war, I will trust in the Lord.
4 I ask only one thing from the Lord.
This is what I want most:
Let me live in the Lord’s house all my life,
enjoying the Lord’s beauty
and spending time in his palace.[b]
5 He will protect me when I am in danger.
He will hide me in his tent.[c]
He will take me up to his place of safety.
6 If he will help me defeat the enemies around me,
I will offer sacrifices in his tent with shouts of joy.
I will sing and play songs to honor the Lord.
7 Lord, hear my voice.
Be kind and answer me.
8 My heart told me to come to you, Lord,
so I am coming to ask for your help.
9 Don’t turn away from me.
Don’t be angry with your servant.
You are the only one who can help me.
My God, don’t leave me all alone.
You are my Savior.
10 Even if my mother and father leave me,
the Lord will take me in.
11 I have enemies, Lord, so teach me your ways.
Show me the right way to live.
12 My enemies have attacked me.
They have told lies about me and have tried to hurt me.
13 But I really believe
that I will see the Lord’s goodness before I die.[d]
14 Wait for the Lord’s help.
Be strong and brave,
and wait for the Lord’s help.
A song of David.
28 Lord, you are my Rock.
I am calling to you for help.
Don’t close your ears to my prayers.
If you don’t answer me,
I will be counted among the dead.
2 I lift my hands and pray toward your Most Holy Place.
Hear me when I call to you.
Show mercy to me.
3 Don’t treat me like the evil people
who do wicked things.
They greet their neighbors like friends,
but secretly plan to hurt them.
4 They do bad things to others,
so make bad things happen to them.
Give them the punishment they deserve.
5 They don’t notice what the Lord does.
They ignore all the good things he has made.
So instead of building them up,
he will destroy them.
6 Praise the Lord!
He has heard my prayer for mercy.
7 The Lord is my strength and shield.
I trusted him with all my heart.
He helped me, so I am happy.
I sing songs of praise to him.
8 The Lord protects his chosen one.[e]
He saves him and gives him strength.
9 Save your people.
Bless those who belong to you.
Lead them and honor them[f] forever.
A song of David.
29 Praise the Lord, you heavenly angels[g]!
Praise the Lord’s glory and power.
2 Praise the Lord and honor his name!
Worship the Lord in all his holy beauty.
3 The Lord’s voice can be heard over the sea.
The voice of our glorious Lord God is like thunder over the great ocean.
4 The Lord’s voice is powerful.
It shows the Lord’s glory.
5 The Lord’s voice shatters great cedar trees.
The Lord breaks the great cedars of Lebanon.
6 He makes Lebanon shake like a young calf dancing.
Sirion[h] trembles like a young bull jumping up and down.
7 The Lord’s voice cuts the air with flashes of lightning.
8 The Lord’s voice shakes the desert.
The desert of Kadesh[i] trembles at the Lord’s voice.
9 The Lord’s voice frightens the deer.[j]
He destroys the forests.
In his temple everyone shouts, “Glory to God!”
10 The Lord ruled as king at the time of the flood,
and the Lord will rule as king forever.
11 May the Lord make his people strong.
May the Lord bless his people with peace.
A song of David for the dedication of the Temple.[k]
30 Lord, you lifted me out of my troubles.
You did not give my enemies a reason to laugh,
so I will praise you.
2 Lord my God, I prayed to you,
and you healed me.
3 Lord, you lifted me out of the grave.
I was falling into the place of death, but you saved my life.
4 Praise the Lord, you who are loyal to him!
Praise his holy name[l]!
5 His anger lasts for a little while,
but then his kindness brings life.
The night may be filled with tears,
but in the morning we can sing for joy!
6 When I was safe and secure,
I thought nothing could hurt me.
7 Yes, Lord, while you were kind to me,
I felt that nothing could defeat me.[m]
But when you turned away from me,
I was filled with fear.
8 So, Lord, I turned and prayed to you.
I asked you, Lord, to show me mercy.
9 I said, “What good is it if I die
and go down to the grave?
The dead just lie in the dirt.
They cannot praise you.
They cannot tell anyone how faithful you are.
10 Lord, hear my prayer, and be kind to me.
Lord, help me!”
11 You have changed my sorrow into dancing.
You have taken away my sackcloth
and clothed me with joy.
12 You wanted me to praise you and not be silent.
Lord my God, I will praise you forever!
Footnotes
- Psalm 26:8 house Or “Temple.” See “Temple” in the Word List.
- Psalm 27:4 palace A large house built for a king. Here, it is the Temple. See “Temple” in the Word List.
- Psalm 27:5 tent The place where God lives among his people. Here, it is the Temple in Jerusalem. See “Holy Tent” and “Temple” in the Word List.
- Psalm 27:13 before I die Literally, “in the land of the living.”
- Psalm 28:8 his chosen one Or “his anointed one.” This might be anyone God chose to serve in a special way, but it is usually the king he has chosen.
- Psalm 28:9 honor them Or “forgive them.” Literally, “lift them up.”
- Psalm 29:1 heavenly angels Literally, “sons of gods.” This probably means God’s angels who are pictured here as priests worshiping him in heaven.
- Psalm 29:6 Sirion Or “Mount Hermon.”
- Psalm 29:8 desert of Kadesh A desert in Syria. This might also mean “the holy desert.”
- Psalm 29:9 deer Or “oak trees.”
- Psalm 30:1 Psalm 30 A song … Temple Or “A psalm. The song for the dedication of the house. Dedicated to David.”
- Psalm 30:4 name Literally, “memory” or “memorial.”
- Psalm 30:7 I felt … defeat me Literally, “You placed me on the strong mountains.”
Psalm 26-30
New International Version
Psalm 26-30
New International Version
Psalm 26
Of David.
1 Vindicate me,(A) Lord,
for I have led a blameless life;(B)
I have trusted(C) in the Lord
and have not faltered.(D)
2 Test me,(E) Lord, and try me,
examine my heart and my mind;(F)
3 for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love(G)
and have lived(H) in reliance on your faithfulness.(I)
4 I do not sit(J) with the deceitful,
nor do I associate with hypocrites.(K)
5 I abhor(L) the assembly of evildoers
and refuse to sit with the wicked.
6 I wash my hands in innocence,(M)
and go about your altar, Lord,
7 proclaiming aloud your praise(N)
and telling of all your wonderful deeds.(O)
8 Lord, I love(P) the house where you live,
the place where your glory dwells.(Q)
9 Do not take away my soul along with sinners,
my life with those who are bloodthirsty,(R)
10 in whose hands are wicked schemes,(S)
whose right hands are full of bribes.(T)
11 I lead a blameless life;
deliver me(U) and be merciful to me.
Psalm 27
Of David.
1 The Lord is my light(X) and my salvation(Y)—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold(Z) of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?(AA)
2 When the wicked advance against me
to devour[a] me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.(AB)
3 Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;(AC)
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.(AD)
4 One thing(AE) I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,(AF)
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
5 For in the day of trouble(AG)
he will keep me safe(AH) in his dwelling;
he will hide me(AI) in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.(AJ)
6 Then my head will be exalted(AK)
above the enemies who surround me;(AL)
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice(AM) with shouts of joy;(AN)
I will sing(AO) and make music(AP) to the Lord.
7 Hear my voice(AQ) when I call, Lord;
be merciful to me and answer me.(AR)
8 My heart says of you, “Seek his face!(AS)”
Your face, Lord, I will seek.
9 Do not hide your face(AT) from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;(AU)
you have been my helper.(AV)
Do not reject me or forsake(AW) me,
God my Savior.(AX)
10 Though my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me.
11 Teach me your way,(AY) Lord;
lead me in a straight path(AZ)
because of my oppressors.(BA)
12 Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses(BB) rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.
13 I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord(BC)
in the land of the living.(BD)
14 Wait(BE) for the Lord;
be strong(BF) and take heart
and wait for the Lord.
Psalm 28
Of David.
1 To you, Lord, I call;
you are my Rock,
do not turn a deaf ear(BG) to me.
For if you remain silent,(BH)
I will be like those who go down to the pit.(BI)
2 Hear my cry for mercy(BJ)
as I call to you for help,
as I lift up my hands(BK)
toward your Most Holy Place.(BL)
3 Do not drag me away with the wicked,
with those who do evil,
who speak cordially with their neighbors
but harbor malice in their hearts.(BM)
4 Repay them for their deeds
and for their evil work;
repay them for what their hands have done(BN)
and bring back on them what they deserve.(BO)
5 Because they have no regard for the deeds of the Lord
and what his hands have done,(BP)
he will tear them down
and never build them up again.
6 Praise be to the Lord,(BQ)
for he has heard my cry for mercy.(BR)
7 The Lord is my strength(BS) and my shield;
my heart trusts(BT) in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,(BU)
and with my song I praise him.(BV)
8 The Lord is the strength(BW) of his people,
a fortress of salvation(BX) for his anointed one.(BY)
9 Save your people(BZ) and bless your inheritance;(CA)
be their shepherd(CB) and carry them(CC) forever.
Psalm 29
A psalm of David.
1 Ascribe to the Lord,(CD) you heavenly beings,(CE)
ascribe to the Lord glory(CF) and strength.
2 Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;
worship the Lord in the splendor of his[b] holiness.(CG)
3 The voice(CH) of the Lord is over the waters;
the God of glory(CI) thunders,(CJ)
the Lord thunders over the mighty waters.(CK)
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful;(CL)
the voice of the Lord is majestic.
5 The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars;
the Lord breaks in pieces the cedars of Lebanon.(CM)
6 He makes Lebanon leap(CN) like a calf,
Sirion[c](CO) like a young wild ox.(CP)
7 The voice of the Lord strikes
with flashes of lightning.(CQ)
8 The voice of the Lord shakes the desert;
the Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh.(CR)
9 The voice of the Lord twists the oaks[d](CS)
and strips the forests bare.
And in his temple all cry, “Glory!”(CT)
10 The Lord sits enthroned over the flood;(CU)
the Lord is enthroned as King forever.(CV)
11 The Lord gives strength to his people;(CW)
the Lord blesses his people with peace.(CX)
Psalm 30[e]
A psalm. A song. For the dedication of the temple.[f] Of David.
1 I will exalt(CY) you, Lord,
for you lifted me out of the depths(CZ)
and did not let my enemies gloat over me.(DA)
2 Lord my God, I called to you for help,(DB)
and you healed me.(DC)
3 You, Lord, brought me up from the realm of the dead;(DD)
you spared me from going down to the pit.(DE)
4 Sing(DF) the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;(DG)
praise his holy name.(DH)
5 For his anger(DI) lasts only a moment,(DJ)
but his favor lasts a lifetime;(DK)
weeping(DL) may stay for the night,
but rejoicing comes in the morning.(DM)
6 When I felt secure, I said,
“I will never be shaken.”(DN)
7 Lord, when you favored me,
you made my royal mountain[g] stand firm;
but when you hid your face,(DO)
I was dismayed.
Footnotes
- Psalm 27:2 Or slander
- Psalm 29:2 Or Lord with the splendor of
- Psalm 29:6 That is, Mount Hermon
- Psalm 29:9 Or Lord makes the deer give birth
- Psalm 30:1 In Hebrew texts 30:1-12 is numbered 30:2-13.
- Psalm 30:1 Title: Or palace
- Psalm 30:7 That is, Mount Zion
Psalm 26-30
King James Version
Psalm 26-30
King James Version
26 Judge me, O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the Lord; therefore I shall not slide.
2 Examine me, O Lord, and prove me; try my reins and my heart.
3 For thy lovingkindness is before mine eyes: and I have walked in thy truth.
4 I have not sat with vain persons, neither will I go in with dissemblers.
5 I have hated the congregation of evil doers; and will not sit with the wicked.
6 I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O Lord:
7 That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works.
8 Lord, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth.
9 Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men:
10 In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.
11 But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me.
12 My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the Lord.
27 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3 Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
4 One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple.
5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.
7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8 When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, Lord, will I seek.
9 Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up.
11 Teach me thy way, O Lord, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies.
12 Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.
14 Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.
28 Unto thee will I cry, O Lord my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit.
2 Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle.
3 Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts.
4 Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert.
5 Because they regard not the works of the Lord, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.
6 Blessed be the Lord, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications.
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.
8 The Lord is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed.
9 Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.
29 Give unto the Lord, O ye mighty, give unto the Lord glory and strength.
2 Give unto the Lord the glory due unto his name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.
3 The voice of the Lord is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the Lord is upon many waters.
4 The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty.
5 The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars; yea, the Lord breaketh the cedars of Lebanon.
6 He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn.
7 The voice of the Lord divideth the flames of fire.
8 The voice of the Lord shaketh the wilderness; the Lord shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh.
9 The voice of the Lord maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory.
10 The Lord sitteth upon the flood; yea, the Lord sitteth King for ever.
11 The Lord will give strength unto his people; the Lord will bless his people with peace.
30 I will extol thee, O Lord; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me.
2 O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.
3 O Lord, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.
4 Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
5 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.
6 And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.
7 Lord, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled.
8 I cried to thee, O Lord; and unto the Lord I made supplication.
9 What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth?
10 Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me: Lord, be thou my helper.
11 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness;
12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.
Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
Copyright © 2006 by Bible League International
New International Version (NIV) 
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