Psalm 32

Blessed is the one
whose rebelliousness is understood,
whose sentence is commuted.

Blessed is the one
whose spirit of rejection is healed by the Holy One,
whose spirit is without deceit.

When I acted deaf
my bones wasted away,
my groaning lasted all day long.

Day and night your hand felt heavy upon me,
my vitality evaporated
as in a summer drought.

Then I admitted that I had rejected you.
I didn't hide my guilt. I said, “I confess
my faithlessness to the Holy One.”

And you carried away my guilt;

this is the reason the faithful pray to you

seeking a time to meet with you …

The flood, the great waters won't touch me.

You are my shelter, you protect me from the Adversary,

and surround me with redemption songs –

I will instruct you

and show you the way you should go;

I will counsel you with insight …

Do not be like the horse or the mule,

without understanding,

controlled only by bit and bridle;

you don't want to be like them.
 

The sorrows of wrathfulness feel endless,

but the unfailing love of the Holy One

surrounds the one who trusts Godde.

Rejoice in the Holy One and be glad, draw near

and sing, all you whose hearts are true.

Psalm 31

In you, my Protector, I have found refuge,
you would never shame me;
your integrity is my salvation.

Turn your ear to me,
come swiftly to my rescue;
be my rock of refuge, a strong, saving fortress.

My rock and my fortress, by your name lead and guard me.

Keep me free from the trap that is set for me,
for you are my refuge.

Into your hands I commit my soul;
deliver me, Holy One, my true Godde.

I hate the lies, the vanities that would ensnare;
let me trust in the Holy One.

I am glad and rejoice in your love,
for you have seen my affliction
and have known the anguish of my soul;

you have not abandoned me to the Adversary
but have established me in a spacious place.

Be merciful to me, my Guardian, for I am in distress …
My eyes are weakened by sorrow; my soul, my body by grief.

My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning;

my strength fails when I am unjust
my essence grows weak.

Even among my neighbors

– to those who despise me –
I am disgraced.

My acquaintances dread seeing me,
those who meet me on the street turn from me.

I am forgotten as though I were dead;
I am a broken vessel.

Sometimes I hear whisperings …
“Terror on every side!”

Evil conspires against me,

seeking my destruction.

But I trust in you, Holy One;
I say, “You are my Godde.”

My days are in your hands;
deliver me from the hands of the Adversary,
from all who wish me harm.

Let your face shine on your servant;
save me with your unfailing love.

You would never shame me, Holy One,
I have cried out to you,

let wickedness dissolve in shame,
silenced in the realm of the dead!

Let lying lips be silenced –

pride and contempt as well –
all that speaks arrogantly, hating integrity.

You establish abundant goodness,

you bestow bounty in the sight of all;

those who revere you find refuge in you.

In the shelter of your presence you hide
all human intrigues;

in your dwelling you keep us safe
from accusations.

Praise the Holy One,
who shows us the wonders of love
even when we are besieged ...

In my alarm I said,
“I am cut off from your sight!”

Yet you heard my cry for mercy
when I called to you for help.

Love our faithful Protector all people!
The Holy One preserves those who trust;

the proud receive just recompense.

Be strong and take heart,
all you who hope in the Holy One.

Psalm 30

I will exalt you, Holy One;

you raised me up,
you did not let arrogance overwhelm me.

Holy Guardian, my Godde,

I cried to you for help, and you healed me.

Holy One, you lifted up my soul;
you have kept me alive,

I will not be subdued by the grave. 

Sing to the Holy One, all you who trust Godde;
give thanks as a memorial to Godde's holiness.

Godde's anger flares for a moment,
but Godde's favor is life-giving;

weeping may endure for a night,
but rejoicing comes with the morning.

When I was flourishing, I said,
“I am forever unmoved.”

Holy One, by your benevolence
you have made mountains endure,

but when you concealed your presence,
I was dismayed,

I cried to you, Holy One, our Guardian;

I sought mercy,

“What profit is there

if my life is subdued in my grave?

Will the dust praise you?
Will it make known your truth?

Holy One, hear me, and be merciful;
O Guardian, be my help.”

You have transformed my wailing into dancing;
you have thrown away my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,

gloriously, I will sing your praises and not be silent.
My Guardian, my Godde, I will give thanks to you forever.

Psalm 29

Ascribe to the Holy One,

you divine beings,
ascribe to the Holy One

glory and strength.

Ascribe to the Holy One all glory;
worship Godde in the splendor of holiness.

The voice of the Holy One sounds over the waters;
the Godde of glory thunders,
the Holy One roars in the mighty waters.

The voice of Godde is power;
the voice of the Holy One is majesty.
The voice of the Holy One breaks cedars;
The Holy One shatters the cedars of Lebanon.

Godde makes Lebanon and Mount Hermon

leap like a calf, like a young wild ox.

The voice of the Holy One

kindles flames of fire …

The voice of the Holy One shakes the desert;
Godde shakes the Desert of Kadesh;

the does writhe in travail …

The voice of the Holy One strips bare the forests.

And in Godde's temple all cry, “Glory!”

The Holy One abides above the deluge
The Holy One abides as Sovereign forever.

The Holy One gives strength to the people;
The Holy One blesses the people with peace.

Psalm 28

Holy One, I call to you;

you are my strength ...

Do not go quiet on me,

if you remain silent

I will be like one

who sinks in a cistern ... 

Hear my cry for mercy,

I call to you for help

lifting up my arms toward you,

toward your Holy of Holies.

Do not let me be wicked,

do not let me do evil,

speaking peace with neighbors

while harboring malice in my heart.

We receive according to our deeds,

according to the evil done,

there is recompense for actions taken;

our hands receive what they have wrought.

When we do not consider our deeds

as undertaken for the Holy One,

our work will fail –

but Godde will break through ...

Bless the Holy One
who has heard my cry for mercy.
The Holy One is my strength and my shield;
my heart trusts in Godde who comes to my aid.

My heart rejoices,
I will praise Godde with my song.

The Holy One is the strength of the people,
a stronghold of salvation for the anointed one.

Save your people

and bless your inheritance;
feed your people

and lift them up to life everlasting.

Psalm 27

The Holy One is my light, my salvation –
whom shall I fear?
The Holy One is my guardian –
of whom shall I be afraid?

When evil advances against me to consume me,
its illusions will stumble and fall.

Though I am besieged,
my heart will not fear;
though assaulted
even then I will be confident.

One thing I ask from the Holy One,
this, alone, is what I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of Godde
all the days of my life;
to gaze on the beauty of the Holy One,
and to enjoy Godde within this Sanctuary.

For in the day of trouble
Godde will keep me safe within this holy dwelling,
Godde will grant me protection within

a sacred shelter, making me safe, secure.

I will lift my head
even as my adversaries surround me …

within Godde's sacred shelter

I offer this sacrifice of joy

singing and chanting to the Holy One.

Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
be merciful to me and answer me.

My heart speaks of you,

“Seek Godde's face! ”
Holy One, I seek your face!

Do not hide your face from me,
do not send me away in anger;
you have been my helper.

Do not reject me or forsake me,
O Godde, my redeemer.

Though my father and mother abandon me,
The Holy One will take me in.

Teach me your way, Gracious One,
lead me on your path,

my adversaries are watching.

Do not let me surrender to foolish desire,
the false voices rise up to challenge me,
breathing out cruel words …

I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Holy One
here, in the land of the living.

Hope in the Holy One;
be strong and take heart …

Hope in the Holy One!

Psalm 26

Holy One, claim me as your own
I seek to walk with integrity.

I have trusted you, my Guardian,
do not let me falter.

Examine me, Holy One, and assay me,
refine my heart and my mind;

for I am aware of your unfailing love;
I have walked in your truth.

I did not sit with those who are false

nor have I traveled with the deceitful.

I hate evil gatherings.

I refuse to condone wickedness.

Let me wash my hands in innocence,

and go to your altar, Holy One,

proclaiming with a grateful voice

all of your wondrous deeds.

I have loved the refuge of your presence
Holy One, that place where your glory dwells.

Protect my soul against transgressions,

my life from blood lust …

too many hands undertake wicked schemes

the right hand reaches for bribes, but

let me lead an innocent life;

deliver me, be merciful to me

so that my feet might stand firmly on the ground

as I praise you, Holy One, in the midst of the great congregation!

Psalm 25

א All-gracious One, I set my hope on you;

ב Beloved, I trust you;

don't disappoint me,

don't let my shadow-self exult over me.

ג Grant blessing to all who look to you;

faithlessness brings disappointment and emptiness.

ד Direct me along your path, O Holy One;

teach me your ways

ה Help me stay on your true way – and teach me,

for you are ו Wondrous,

my deliverer, I look to you at all times.

ז Zealous Godde, be mindful of your compassion

and your faithfulness;

they are as old as time.

ח Holy One, be not mindful of my youthful sins

and transgressions.

In keeping with your goodness and faithfulness

consider those things that are in my favor.

ט Tender and righteous is the Holy One;

therefore Godde shows transgressors the way.

י Yes, Godde guides the modest on the right path;

Teaching the humble Godde's way,

כ Constant love paves all the paths of the Holy One,

leading those who honor Godde's covenant.

ל Love is your name, O Holy One,

therefore I ask you to pardon my great iniquity.

מ Modesty offers reverence to Godde

who then reveals which path to choose.

נ Now the faithful live a happy life

and their children inherit the land.

ס Secrets of the Holy One are for those who revere Godde;

to them the Covenant is revealed.

ע Eyes ever directed toward you, Godde,

you free me from that which binds me.

פ Please turn to me, have mercy on me,

for I am alone and afflicted.

צ Save me from these dire straits;

my heart is deeply distressed.

ר Release me from my affliction and suffering;

forgive all my sins.

I am overwhelmed by injustice and hatred!

ש Show you are my protection; don't disappoint me

for you are my refuge.

ת Towers of integrity and righteousness watch over me;

for I look to you, O Godde,

you redeem your people from all their distress.

Psalm 24

The earth belongs to the Holy Guardian,

as well as everything in it;

the world and all who live upon it.

For the Holy One founded the earth upon the seas;

established it upon the undercurrents.

Who may ascend the Holy One's mountain?

Who may stand in Godde's holy place?

Those who are poor in spirit, whose singleness of heart

will not trust in another; who will not swear by a false god.

They receive blessings from the Holy One.

They are vindicated by Godde their Deliverer.

These are the generations who seek Godde,

who seek your face, O Godde of our ancestors.

Be lifted up, you gates!

Be raised high, you everlasting doors

so that the glorious Sovereign may come in.

Who is this glorious Sovereign?

Our Protector, strong and powerful,

our Guardian, a powerful ally.

Be lifted up, you gates!

Be raised high, you everlasting doors,

so that the glorious Sovereign may come in.

Who is this glorious Sovereign?

Our powerful Protector,

our Guardian is the glorious Sovereign!

Psalm 23

My Guardian guides me;

I lack nothing.

Godde invites me to rest on the verdant land;

            leads me to quiet waters –

            renews my life.

Godde guides me on the paths

that reveal Godde's integrity.

Even when I walk through a valley

darkened by death's shadow

I fear no harm, for you are with me;

I am comforted by your support.

You spread a table for me

in full view of my enemies;

you anoint my head with blessing,

I drink abundance …

Only goodness and steadfast love pursue me

all the days of my life,

I shall dwell in the house of my Guardian

forever.

Psalm 22

My Godde, my Godde,

why have you abandoned me?

… so far from saving me,
so far from my anguished roaring …

My Godde,

I cry by day,

you do not answer –
by night,

I find no respite.

But you are the Holy One

enthroned on Israel's praise …

In you our ancestors trusted;

they trusted and your delivered them.

To you they cried

and were saved;

they trusted

and were not disappointed.

But I am a worm,

less than human;

scorned, despised …

All who see me mock me –

their lips curl in a sneer

they shake their heads –

“Commit yourself to the Holy One.

Let Godde rescue you.
Let Godde deliver you,
since Godde delights in you.”

Yet you drew me from the womb;
made me secure at my mother’s breast.
You were my Guardian from birth,
from my mother’s womb you have been my Godde.

Do not be far from me,
trouble is near
there is no one to help.

Idols surround me;
the mighty encircle me.
Like roaring lions that tear their prey
they open their mouths against me.

I am poured out like water,
all my bones are out of joint.

My heart is wax,
melting within me.

My vigor dries up like a potsherd,
my tongue cleaves to my palate.

You will lay me in the dust of death.

Dogs surround me,
an evil pack encircles me;
they maul my hands and my feet.

I take count of all my bones
while they look on and gloat.

They divide my clothes among themselves;
casting lots for my garment.

But you, my Guardian,

don't be far off;
my Strength, hasten to my aid.

Save me from the sword; my precious life

from the powerful dogs.

Deliver me from the lion's mouth;

from the horns of the wild oxen rescue me,

And I will proclaim your glory to my people;
praise you in the assembly.

You who revere the Holy One, praise Godde!
All you descendants of Jacob, honor Godde!

Venerate Godde, all you children of Israel!

For Godde did not scorn,

Godde did not despise,

the plight of the afflicted.

Godde's face is not hidden,

Godde has listened to this cry for help.

You inspire my praise in the great assembly;
I fulfill my vows in the presence of those who revere you.

Let the lowly eat and be satisfied;
let all who seek the Holy One praise Godde—

and be of good cheer!

Let all the ends of the earth
remember and turn to the Holy One –

and all the people of all nations
bow down before Godde –
the Holy One, the Sovereign
who rules the nations.

The vigorous will feast and prostrate themselves;
those barely alive, languishing in the dust

will kneel before Godde—

Posterity will serve Godde;
Godde's glory will be proclaimed

among generations to come;

to a people yet unborn
they shall tell of Godde's kindness

Ours is a Godde of action!

Psalm 21

I rejoice in your strength, Holy One;

overjoyed by the victories you grant!

You have given me my heart's desire,

and you have never refused my requests.

You greet me with rich blessings

and crown me with pure gold.

I ask you for life, and you grant it;

length of days, and you give me life everlasting …

You glorify me by granting victory;

you bestow splendor and majesty.

You grant endless blessings:

the joy of your presence.

I trust you, my Guardian;

the steadfast love of the Most High

is the ground of my being.

Your hand will encircle all of your adversaries;

your right hand will possess your opponents …

When you prepare the final battle

you will refine us as precious metal in a blazing furnace.

The Holy One swallows profound sorrow.

Godde's burning desire will consume

the legacy of enmity; hostility will disappear.

Evil plots and wicked schemes cannot succeed.

Yet we turn our backs to you;
ignoring your signs of displeasure.

Let us exalt your strength, Holy One;
let us sing and praise you for your power.

Psalm 20

In the day of adversity, the Holy One answers you;

the name of the Godde-of-our-ancestors protects you.

Godde sends you help from the sanctuary –

and support from the holy mountain.

Godde remembers all your offerings

and accepts your sacrifices.

Godde offers you gifts for your heart

and blesses your counsel.

We sing of your salvation,

and lift up banners celebrating Godde's name;

Godde fulfills our desires.

This I know:

Our Guardian brings salvation through the anointed.

Godde answers the anointed from the heavenly sanctuary

with the saving grace of a powerful right hand.

Some trust in chariots, others trust in horses,

but we trust in the name of our Guardian and Godde.

Those whose trust is misplaced fall to their knees

but we rise and stand steadfast.

Holy One, give victory to the anointed!

Answer us when we call!

Psalm 18

You are my strength, Holy One,

I adore you.

The Holy One is my Ground of Being,

my Stronghold, my Rescuer.

Godde, my Strength and Refuge,

you shield me, you sound my salvation,

you are my safe haven …

Praise the Holy One, my Savior!

Nearly entangled in death's bonds,

destructive torrents threatened me,

the grave's tentacles encircled me

deathlike paralysis nearly finished me -

In distress, I called to the Holy One;

I cried to my Godde for help.

Within the holy sanctuary,

Godde heard my voice.

The earth trembled, it quaked,

the foundations of the mountains shook

with Godde's emotion …

Godde's exhalation was smoke,

Godde's breath, a devouring flame ...

As fiercely as a dragon, Godde parted the heavens

and descended, dark clouds beneath -

Godde rode the cheribim,

soaring, wings on the wind ... 

Godde made darkness a screen;

dark thunderclouds were Godde's pavillion.

Then Godde's blazing presence pierced the clouds

with lightning, and hailstones.

The Holy One thundered from heaven;

it was the voice of the Most High,

whose javelins scattered - 

whose lightning broke the ranks -

Valleys in the sea were exposed,

earth's foundations were laid bare

by your rebuke, Holy One,

blasted by your exhalation - 

Godde reached for me;

Godde drew me out of the tumult,

rescued me from destructive powers,

from oppression too strong for me.

Confronted, in the day of my disaster,

the Holy One was my support.

Godde brought me out into the open ... 

Godde rescued me ... 

Godde delights in me ... 

The Holy One grants me integrity;

Godde sees my spiritual poverty and takes notice.

I have kept the ways of the Holy One ...

I am not guilty of turning away from Godde

whose teachings are always before me;

Let me not turn away from Godde's instruction.

Blameless before Godde, I am protected from sin.

The Holy One alone is my righteousness,

Godde sees my poverty of spirit.

The kind see your kindness,

you reveal your perfection to the perceptive,

your purity is seen by those who are single-hearted,

the rebellious wrestle with you.

You lift up the humble,

but lower the gaze of those who are proud ... 

O my Guardian, you keep my lamp kindled,

you turn darkness into light;

with your help I could move past obstacles

with you I could circumvent any barrier ... 

Your way, O Godde, is perfect.

Our Guardian's word is flawless …

Godde shields all who seek refuge ... 

Is there a god beside our Guardian?

Isn't Godde our Ground of Being?

It is Godde who clothes me with strength

and keeps me surefooted.

Godde makes my feet as agile as a deer's,

enabling me to stand upon the heights.

Godde trains my hands ... 

my arms could bend bronze

because your saving help is my shield

and your right hand sustains me;

your humility creates greatness ... 

You provide a safe path for me

so that my ankles do not give way.

Pursue my inner enemies, overtake them –

and transform me.

They fall and cannot rise

when I try to overcome them

...  clothed in your strength

that which withstands me will yield ...

You transform these internal enemies.

If my inner enemies cry out to you,

O Holy One, you need not answer,

they are dust before the wind

that blows down a street.

You deliver me from striving,

you place me within the nations

among people I have not known

and they serve me ... 

Strangers bend down for me,

from afar they hear, they attend to my needs …

They lose heart;

tormented in their homelands.

But our Guardian lives!

Praise be to the Ground of our Being!

Exalt Godde our Savior!

It is this Godde who lays claim upon us

who seduces the faithless,

who saves us from hostility,

who lifts us above our Adversary,

who rescues us from violence.

Therefore, O Godde, my Guardian,

I will praise you

... among the nations

I shall live the praises of your name.

Your sovereign will is victorious

as you show your inexhaustible love

to your Beloved –

and your Beloved's descendants forever.

sorry to have missed a whole month.  lots going on ... still working on the project.
blessings.

Psalm 17

Holy One, hear me,

listen to my plea. Hear this prayer

that forms on my lips,

you alone are my righteousness.

Help me to see as you see, help me

to see and discern …

As you visit me in the night

examine my mind;

allow me to hold steadfast in silence

unless you command me to speak.

I have seen the fate of those

who journey away from you,

ignoring your commands.

My feet seek your path,

don't let me falter on the way.

My Godde, I call on you,

trusting you to answer me;

incline your ear to me,

hear my words.

You demonstrate your faithfulness

with wondrous deeds; Your right hand

saves those who are afflicted.

Guard me as if I brought delight to your eyes,

shelter me within your embrace,

guard me from that which would destroy,

from that which would encircle me with mortal danger.

Heal the scars, the self-conceit

of wounded hearts;

callous arrogance tracks me down,

surrounds me, and ever alert, prepares

to throw me to the ground,

a ravenous beast in search of prey,

a fierce creature crouching in ambush. 

Rise up, O Holy One,

confront wickedness, rescue me from evil.

Reach your hand to save me, O Godde, my Protector.

Our share in this life is fleeting

but you treasure us, and fill our bellies;

our children, too, are satisfied, and their children as well.

And I, justified by your grace, will behold your face;

I am awakened, fulfilled by the vision of you.

Psalm 16

You are my safety, O Godde,

I can trust you.

I say to you, my Guardian, “You are my Protector;

you are the source of all that is good.”

The high and holy ones bear witness,

you delight in their integrity …

Those who seek other gods suffer –

I will not pour out libations to idols;

their names have no place on my lips.

Holy One, you alone receive my portion, my lifted cup;

you alone make me secure.

You have created a pleasant boundary around me,

you have granted me a delightful inheritance.

I praise you, Holy One, as you counsel me;

at night you speak to my inmost being.

I will always keep my eyes on you, the Holy One,

with you at my side I will not collapse …

My heart rejoices, my soul exults

and my body rests secure …

You will not abandon me to Sheol,

nor let your faithful one be broken to pieces.

You guide me on the path of life,

you fill me with the joy of your presence;

your right hand offers eternal delight.

Psalm 15

Holy Guardian,

who sojourns with you?

Who lives with you on your holy mountain?

It is the one walking with you,

whose heart is honest, who trusts

your presence will redeem us.

Walking with you, we can not utter slander …

We can neither do wrong to a neighbor

nor defame our friends …

How can we despise a person

if we are to honor and reverence you, the Holy One?

We learn to honor our word even when it hurts;

we remain steadfast,

learning from you to be generous

we would never sell our word to harm the innocent.

Walking with you, we discover our resolve.

Psalm 14

The inattentive heart says “There is no god.”

This is the corrupted heart, incapable of love,

incapable of gracious action.

The Heavenly One studies mortals

looking to find wisdom; The Holy One is attentive

to those who seek Godde.

All have turned aside. All are contaminated.

There is not one who does good deeds, not even one.

Isn't this the height of ignorance?

We consume bread

which comes from the One we have not called upon.

We live in fear, yet Godde draws near even in this generation.

Our callous attitudes toward the afflicted stink ...

The Holy One is a refuge.

Contemplate the salvation that comes from Mount Zion!

When Godde redeems the people, we rejoice and are glad!

Psalm 13

Holy One, are you forgetting about me?

For how long? Forever?

How long will you hide your face from me?

How long must I examine my soul?
How long will sorrow fill my heart?
How long will this alienation last?

Examine me.

Answer me.

O Holy One, my Godde,
Show me your presence
or I will sleep in death.

I am overcome,

I am undone.

How does joy exist within pain?

...I trust in your kindness.

My heart rejoices in your salvation.

I sing to the Holy One, for Godde blesses me!

Psalm 11

The Holy One is my safety.

Why then do you question me,

why do you say,

“Fly like a bird to your mountain!

See how your shadow-self bends back the bow,

knocking the arrow against the string

taking aim against your heart of hearts …

If the foundations are being destroyed

what can the faithful do?”

Our Protector occupies the Sanctuary.

Our Guardian is enthroned in Heaven

and observes everyone on earth;

the eye of Godde studies mortals.

Godde notices those who draw near,

even as Godde sees our violence

and responds to evil with passion and compassion.

Wielding fiery coals and burning sulfur,

sending the scorching wind,

Godde will transform wickedness,

for our Protector draws near

to create a just love.

Raise your eyes to see Godde's face.

Psalm 10

Holy One, why are you so far away?
Why are you hidden from me during times of adversity?

Prideful weakness gives way to wickedness

and thus I am ensnared by devices of my own design.

A greedy soul is boastful, desiring much

while despising you, the Holy One.

When I stand tall and solitary
there is no awareness of Godde;
by all appearances one can prosper without Godde.

And even as you draw near, your presence a judgment,
there is a wicked voice that says with a sneer

“Nothing will ever shake me;

No one can harm me.”

The mouth is often full of lies, and threats;

trouble and unkindness lie beneath the tongue.

How easy to wait in in secret places

to ambush and destroy the innocent.

See, the eye keeps watch for the outsider;

how like a crouching lion one can become

catching the vulnerable, dragging them in a net.

In our thoughts they collapse and are crushed;

we think, they fall because of our strength,

and we whisper to our reproving hearts,

“Godde won't notice, Godde is hidden and won't see.”

Arise, O Holy One! Raise your hand, O Godde.

Before you I am humbled. Let me remember this.

Why must I revile you? Why do I lie to my heart

and say, “Godde won't call me to account?”

But, Godde, you see the trouble of the lost, the least;

you hold their suffering in your hand as you consider them.

Therefore we can commit ourselves to you,

you are the helper of the abandoned.

Break the reach of wickedness

bring evil to account before the whole world.

The Holy One is Sovereign for ever and ever;

unbelievers will be scattered

as you, Holy One, hear the desire

of those who live with humility;

you hear our cry and encourage us

defending the vulnerable

so that these mortal oppressors,

also formed from earth,

will no longer terrify us all!

Psalm 9

Holy Guardian,

with all my heart,

I make my confession to you;

I speak of the wonder you inspire.

I rejoice in you, I am jubilant as I praise your Name, O Most High.

Turning from my waywardness I return to you

the false road of stumbling disappears...

From the throne of Judgment, you have drawn near

and have accomplished my redemption.

You have rebuked my willfulness, you transform

my wickedness, blotting out my failures in love forever.

Endless ruin would have overtaken me

but you have uprooted the dwelling-place of my sins;

now no one will remember them.

The Holy Guardian reigns forever,

The Guardian establishes justice.

This Sovereign judges the world,

knowing intimately that which is good.

This Holy Sovereign judges the peoples with equity.

The Holy One is a watchtower for the wounded,
a sanctuary in times of trouble.

Those who know your name trust in you,
for you, Holy One, have never forsaken those who seek you.

Sing, and praise the One enthroned in holiness;
proclaim Godde's deeds throughout the nations.

In our blood we remember: the Holy One seeks us;
the faithful One never ignores the cries of the vulnerable.

My Guardian, see how I am afflicted!

Have mercy! Lift me up from the gates of death,
that I may declare your praises
at the gates of the holy habitation;
and rejoice in your salvation.

We dig pits

and fall into them
our feet are caught in the nets that we have hidden.

But you, Holy One, are known by your acts of justice;

our wickedness is ensnared by the work of our hands.

Let us pause and ponder these things.

Evil deeds sink down to the realm of the dead,
where souls try to forget Godde.

But Godde will never forget those in need;
the hope of the humble will never perish.

Arise, O Holy One,

mortals have no strength without you;
your presence judges us …

Direct us, O Holy One,
You remind us that we are mortal.

Let us pause and ponder these things.

Psalm 8

Holy One, our Guardian,

Your name is revered in all the earth.

You have established your majesty in the heavens.

You establish your strength

in the new born and the nursing child.

Your glory shines through them

to silence your adversaries;

this glory stills any impulses of self-deceit …

Yes, I see your heavens, the work of your fingers

the moon and the stars which you have established

and I think, what are mortals that you remember us?

What are our children that you are mindful of them?

You have not withheld your divine breath from us,

you offer us dignity and greatness.

You call us to be your partners in caring for Creation;

the work of your hands spreads out before us:

sheep and oxen, all the creatures of the fields ....

birds soaring in the heavens .... 

fish in the sea, traversing the paths of the oceans!

Holy One, our Guardian,

we revere your name throughout the earth!

Psalm 7

O Holy One, my Godde,

I have trusted you, save me, deliver me

from things that would consume me,

from thoughts that would destroy my soul,

ripping me apart just as a lion tears its prey;

no deliverer in sight.

Holy One, my Godde,

it is difficult to admit that I have done this,

it is hard to say there is iniquity on my hands.

Have I done evil to a well-wisher, have I

created adversarial relationships?

What inner enemy pursues my soul,

threatening to overwhelm me?

Which enemy trips me, grinds my honor into the dust?

Rebuke these, my adversaries.

Waken me, O Holy One.

Proclaim Judgment, witnesses surround you –

from your vantage point, turn back to judge us.

Judge me, O Holy One, according to our relationship,

according to the integrity by which I seek to live.

Let violence cease, establish our bonds of intimacy,

O Godde of Presence, you know my heart of hearts.

You, Saving Godde, are the shield of those who draw near to you!

You, Godde, judge by intimate knowledge, you are not always angry.

If I do not turn back to you, your words are like sharpened swords,

If I do not turn to you, my actions

are like the readied bow and

bend toward me

these deadly weapons, these burning arrows

which conceive mischief, gestate evil,

and give birth to deceit …

My falseness prepares a pit,

I scoop out a hole and then fall in.

Trouble falls upon the head of the troubler;

and violence returns from whence it came.

Holy One, I thank you for setting me right.

I sing this hymn to the Most High and Holy One.

Psalm 6

Holy One, do not test me in anger,

do not purify me with the heat of your fury.

Have mercy, Holy One, I am weak.

Heal me, Holy One, I ache to the bone

and my soul is greatly troubled.

Holy One, when?

Repent, O Holy One, deliver my soul.

In your kindness, save me.

The dead can not testify to your deeds.

Who could give thanks to you among the dead?

Weary, sighing, I meditate upon my bed

throughout the night

my mattress is soaked with wasted tears.

In my mind's eye I am provoked by images of my struggles

Turn my iniquities away from me …

The Holy One has heard my weeping,

the Living One has heard my plea.

Holy One, you have accepted my prayer.

In a moment you turn back my enemies, shame and trouble!

Psalm 5

Hear me, Holy One, consider my meditations.

Attend to my voice,

hear my cry, my Sovereign, my Godde,

You are the One to whom I pray.

Holy One, morning comes, you hear my voice;

morning, I sit, waiting for you, watching …

You, Godde, have no wicked desires;

there is no evil in you.

The arrogant can not stand before you …

You hate whatever destroys relationship with you,

you obliterate lies,

you abhor spilled blood and deceit …

but, because of your extravagant kindness,

I enter your dwelling-place, and I am humbled,

awed by your willingness to dwell among us.

Holy One, keep me close to you ... 

as others watch, lead me straight

upon your path.

It is easy to mis-speak, hearts can be full of mischief.

The words rising in one's throat can be deadly;

It is so easy to speak glibly,

but you reveal our guilt, O Godde.

We fall by attending to our own counsels,

we have transgressed, rebelling against you …

you should drive us away … but

those who trust you rejoice

and sing throughout the ages,

and your protection shelters them …

All who love your name glory in you.

For you bless those who draw near to you, O Holy One,

Your grace encompasses your beloved.

Psalm 4

Godde, answer me when I call –

I trust your integrity.

You liberated me during my time of trouble

O Merciful One, help me once again.

How long must I be confronted by my shame?

Mortals! We love trifles, we embrace lies,

the Holy One embraces faithfulness.

The Gracious One hears me when I call,

and speaks to my heart, “tremble … ”

You say, “Do not leave me.”

We share my bed as you search my heart.

There is silence.

What shall I sacrifice

in order to be close to you?

I know. I will give my self to you.

Holy One, how can they demand,

“Who shows us goodness?”

while the light of your face shines on us?

Fill me with joy …

the joy of feasting, the joy of your good gifts.

Your peace surrounds me as I lie down and sleep …

You alone, O Holy One,

make it possible for me to dwell in safety.

Psalm 3

Merciful One,

my thoughts are my foes

they rise up and cloud my mind;

they taunt me, saying,

“Godde doesn't care about you.”

But I know,

somewhere in the heart of me, I know

that you are my protection, you are my glory –

my hidden self communes with you.

I call out to you, O Holy One,

you answer me from your sacred dwelling.

I lie down and sleep; I wake again

because you sustain me.

Though I am overcome by a thousand

anxious thoughts, I will not fear.

You rise up within me,

Gracious One, you deliver me,

scattering oppressive thoughts

breaking the power of doubt.

From you, Holy One, comes deliverance

May you always bless your people with your presence.

Psalm 2

Why does my mind rage,

why do I create these vain plots?

My thoughts rebel against Godde

and the Anointed.

I don't want to be a creature,

limited by laws of nature.

Godde laughs, rebukes my pride

I am overcome with awe

as Godde speaks:

“I present the Anointed One to you.”

When I listen and obey,

I proclaim Godde's grace ...

I hear, “You are my beloved child;

this day I have begotten you.”

You say, “Ask me,  

I will give you

the nations as your home ...

the ends of the earth 

will delight you. 

                                          

Thoughts that drag you down will shatter;

false pride will crumble like pottery fragments.

 

Be wise, take heed – revere me, your Creator.

Celebrate my divine presence –

tremble with reverence and delight.

Accept this kiss of peace.

Don't journey from me to your destruction –

if you turn away you will feel my great sorrow.

Don't you know?

Blessings come

from bringing your thoughts to me, your Godde.”