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!