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(By David.)

The Prayer of an Innocent Person

Show that I am right, Lord!
    I stay true to myself,
and I have trusted you
    without doubting.
Test my thoughts and find out
    what I am like.
I never forget your kindness,
and I am always faithful
    to you.[a]
I don't spend my time
with worthless liars
    or go with evil crowds.

I wash my hands, Lord,
    to show my innocence,
and I worship at your altar,
while gratefully singing
    about your wonders.
I love the temple
where you live, and where
    your glory shines.
Don't sweep me away,
    as you do sinners.
Don't punish me with death
as you do those people
    who are brutal
10     or full of meanness
    or who bribe others.
11 I stay true to myself.
    Be kind and rescue me.

12 Now I stand on solid ground!
And when your people meet,
    I will praise you, Lord.

(By David.)

A Prayer of Praise

You, Lord, are the light
    that keeps me safe.
I am not afraid of anyone.
You protect me,
    and I have no fears.
Brutal people may attack
and try to kill me,
    but they will stumble.
Fierce enemies may attack,
    but they will fall.
Armies may surround me,
    but I won't be afraid;
war may break out,
    but I will trust you.

I ask only one thing, Lord:
Let me live in your house
    every day of my life
to see how wonderful you are
    and to pray in your temple.

In times of trouble, Lord,
    you will protect me.
You will hide me in your tent
and keep me safe
    on top of a mighty rock.[b]
You will let me defeat
    all my enemies.
Then I will celebrate,
    as I enter your tent
with animal sacrifices
    and songs of praise.

Please listen when I pray!
    Have pity. Answer my prayer.
My heart tells me to pray.
I am eager to see your face,
    so don't hide from me.
I am your servant, Lord,
and you have helped me.
    Don't turn from me in anger.
You alone keep me safe.
    Don't reject or desert me.
10 Even if my father and mother
should desert me,
    you will take care of me.

11 Teach me to follow, Lord,
and lead me on the right path
    because of my enemies.
12 Don't let them do to me
    what they want.
People tell lies about me
    and make violent threats,
13 but I know I will live
    to see how kind you are.

14 Trust the Lord!
Be brave and strong
    and trust the Lord.

Footnotes

  1. 26.3 I am … to you: Or “I trust your faithfulness.”
  2. 27.5 mighty rock: See the note at 18.2.

Psalm 26

Of David.

Vindicate me,(A) Lord,
    for I have led a blameless life;(B)
I have trusted(C) in the Lord
    and have not faltered.(D)
Test me,(E) Lord, and try me,
    examine my heart and my mind;(F)
for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love(G)
    and have lived(H) in reliance on your faithfulness.(I)

I do not sit(J) with the deceitful,
    nor do I associate with hypocrites.(K)
I abhor(L) the assembly of evildoers
    and refuse to sit with the wicked.
I wash my hands in innocence,(M)
    and go about your altar, Lord,
proclaiming aloud your praise(N)
    and telling of all your wonderful deeds.(O)

Lord, I love(P) the house where you live,
    the place where your glory dwells.(Q)
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.

12 My feet stand on level ground;(V)
    in the great congregation(W) I will praise the Lord.

Psalm 27

Of David.

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)

When the wicked advance against me
    to devour[a] me,
it is my enemies and my foes
    who will stumble and fall.(AB)
Though an army besiege me,
    my heart will not fear;(AC)
though war break out against me,
    even then I will be confident.(AD)

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.
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)

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.

Hear my voice(AQ) when I call, Lord;
    be merciful to me and answer me.(AR)
My heart says of you, “Seek his face!(AS)
    Your face, Lord, I will seek.
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.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 27:2 Or slander