Psalm 12

A Prayer for Protection from Lies

For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by an eight-stringed instrument.*12: title Hebrew according to the sheminith.

1Help, O Lord, for the godly are fast disappearing!

The faithful have vanished from the earth!

2Neighbors lie to each other,

speaking with flattering lips and deceitful hearts.

3May the Lord cut off their flattering lips

and silence their boastful tongues.

4They say, “We will lie to our hearts’ content.

Our lips are our own—who can stop us?”

5The Lord replies, “I have seen violence done to the helpless,

and I have heard the groans of the poor.

Now I will rise up to rescue them,

as they have longed for me to do.”

6The Lord’s promises are pure,

like silver refined in a furnace,

purified seven times over.

7Therefore, Lord, we know you will protect the oppressed,

preserving them forever from this lying generation,

8even though the wicked strut about,

and evil is praised throughout the land.

Psalm 26

A Prayer for Judgment

A psalm of David.

1Declare me innocent, O Lord,

for I have acted with integrity;

I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.

2Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me.

Test my motives and my heart.

3For I am always aware of your unfailing love,

and I have lived according to your truth.

4I do not spend time with liars

or go along with hypocrites.

5I hate the gatherings of those who do evil,

and I refuse to join in with the wicked.

6I wash my hands to declare my innocence.

I come to your altar, O Lord,

7singing a song of thanksgiving

and telling of all your wonders.

8I love your sanctuary, Lord,

the place where your glorious presence dwells.

9Don’t let me suffer the fate of sinners.

Don’t condemn me along with murderers.

10Their hands are dirty with evil schemes,

and they constantly take bribes.

11But I am not like that; I live with integrity.

So redeem me and show me mercy.

12Now I stand on solid ground,

and I will publicly praise the Lord.

Psalm 86

A Prayer of God’s Servant

A prayer of David.

1Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer;

answer me, for I need your help.

2Protect me, for I am devoted to you.

Save me, for I serve you and trust you.

You are my God.

3Be merciful to me, O Lord,

for I am calling on you constantly.

4Give me happiness, O Lord,

for I give myself to you.

5O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive,

so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help.

6Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord;

hear my urgent cry.

7I will call to you whenever I’m in trouble,

and you will answer me.

8No pagan god is like you, O Lord.

None can do what you do!

9All the nations you made

will come and bow before you, Lord;

they will praise your holy name.

10For you are great and perform wonderful deeds.

You alone are God.

11Teach me your ways, O Lord,

that I may live according to your truth!

Grant me purity of heart,

so that I may honor you.

12With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God.

I will give glory to your name forever,

13for your love for me is very great.

You have rescued me from the depths of death.*86:13 Hebrew of Sheol.

14O God, insolent people rise up against me;

a violent gang is trying to kill me.

You mean nothing to them.

15But you, O Lord,

are a God of compassion and mercy,

slow to get angry

and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.

16Look down and have mercy on me.

Give your strength to your servant;

save me, the son of your servant.

17Send me a sign of your favor.

Then those who hate me will be put to shame,

for you, O Lord, help and comfort me.