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.