Psalm 14

No One Does Good

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

1Only fools say in their hearts,

“There is no God.”

They are corrupt, and their actions are evil;

not one of them does good!

2The Lord looks down from heaven

on the entire human race;

he looks to see if anyone is truly wise,

if anyone seeks God.

3But no, all have turned away;

all have become corrupt.*14:3 Greek version reads have become useless. Compare Rom 3:12.

No one does good,

not a single one!

4Will those who do evil never learn?

They eat up my people like bread

and wouldn’t think of praying to the Lord.

5Terror will grip them,

for God is with those who obey him.

6The wicked frustrate the plans of the oppressed,

but the Lord will protect his people.

7Who will come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel?

When the Lord restores his people,

Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice.

Psalm 17

A Plea for Help and Justice

A prayer of David.

1O Lord, hear my plea for justice.

Listen to my cry for help.

Pay attention to my prayer,

for it comes from honest lips.

2Declare me innocent,

for you see those who do right.

3You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night.

You have scrutinized me and found nothing wrong.

I am determined not to sin in what I say.

4I have followed your commands,

which keep me from following cruel and evil people.

5My steps have stayed on your path;

I have not wavered from following you.

6I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God.

Bend down and listen as I pray.

7Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways.

By your mighty power you rescue

those who seek refuge from their enemies.

8Guard me as you would guard your own eyes.*17:8 Hebrew as the pupil of your eye.

Hide me in the shadow of your wings.

9Protect me from wicked people who attack me,

from murderous enemies who surround me.

10They are without pity.

Listen to their boasting!

11They track me down and surround me,

watching for the chance to throw me to the ground.

12They are like hungry lions, eager to tear me apart—

like young lions hiding in ambush.

13Arise, O Lord!

Stand against them, and bring them to their knees!

Rescue me from the wicked with your sword!

14By the power of your hand, O Lord,

destroy those who look to this world for their reward.

But satisfy the hunger of your treasured ones.

May their children have plenty,

leaving an inheritance for their descendants.

15Because I am righteous, I will see you.

When I awake, I will see you face to face and be satisfied.

Psalm 52

A Taunt against a Lying Enemy

For the choir director: A psalm*52: title Hebrew maskil. This may be a literary or musical term. of David, regarding the time Doeg the Edomite said to Saul, “David has gone to see Ahimelech.”

1Why do you boast about your crimes, great warrior?

Don’t you realize God’s justice continues forever?

2All day long you plot destruction.

Your tongue cuts like a sharp razor;

you’re an expert at telling lies.

3You love evil more than good

and lies more than truth.

Interlude

4You love to destroy others with your words,

you liar!

5But God will strike you down once and for all.

He will pull you from your home

and uproot you from the land of the living.

Interlude

6The righteous will see it and be amazed.

They will laugh and say,

7“Look what happens to mighty warriors

who do not trust in God.

They trust their wealth instead

and grow more and more bold in their wickedness.”

8But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God.

I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.

9I will praise you forever, O God,

for what you have done.

I will trust in your good name

in the presence of your faithful people.