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Psalm 15

A psalm of David.

15 Who can live in your tent, Lord?
    Who can dwell on your holy mountain?
The person who
    lives free of blame,
    does what is right,
        and speaks the truth sincerely;
    who does no damage with their talk,
    does no harm to a friend,
    doesn’t insult a neighbor;
    someone who despises
        those who act wickedly,
        but who honors those
        who honor the Lord;
    someone who keeps their promise even when it hurts;
    someone who doesn’t lend money with interest,
    who won’t accept a bribe against any innocent person.
Whoever does these things will never stumble.

Psalm 16

A miktam[a] of David.

16 Protect me, God, because I take refuge in you.
I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord.
    Apart from you, I have nothing good.”
Now as for the “holy ones” in the land,
    the “magnificent ones” that I was so happy about;
    let their suffering increase because
        they hurried after a different god.[b]
I won’t participate in their blood offerings;
    I won’t let their names cross my lips.
You, Lord, are my portion, my cup;
    you control my destiny.
The property lines have fallen beautifully for me;
    yes, I have a lovely home.

I will bless the Lord who advises me;
    even at night I am instructed
    in the depths of my mind.
I always put the Lord in front of me;
    I will not stumble because he is on my right side.
That’s why my heart celebrates and my mood is joyous;
    yes, my whole body will rest in safety
10     because you won’t abandon my life[c] to the grave;[d]
    you won’t let your faithful follower see the pit.

11 You teach me the way of life.
    In your presence is total celebration.
Beautiful things are always in your right hand.

Psalm 17

A prayer of David.

17 Listen to what’s right, Lord;
    pay attention to my cry!
Listen closely to my prayer;
    it’s spoken by lips that don’t lie!
My justice comes from you;
    let your eyes see what is right!
You have examined my heart,
    testing me at night.
You’ve looked me over closely,
    but haven’t found anything wrong.
    My mouth doesn’t sin.
But these other people’s deeds?
    I have avoided such violent ways
    by the command from your lips.
My steps are set firmly on your paths;
    my feet haven’t slipped.

I cry out to you because you answer me.
    So tilt your ears toward me now—
    listen to what I’m saying!
Manifest your faithful love in amazing ways
    because you are the one
    who saves those who take refuge in you,
    saving them from their attackers
    by your strong hand.
Watch me with the very pupil of your eye!
    Hide me in the protection of your wings,
        away from the wicked
            who are out to get me,
        away from my deadly enemies
            who are all around me!
10 They have no pity;[e]
    their mouths speak arrogantly.
11 They track me down—
    suddenly, they surround me!
    They make their plans to put me in the dirt.
12 They are like a lion eager to rip its prey;
    they are like a strong young lion lying in wait.

13 Get up, Lord!
    Confront them!
    Bring them down!
Rescue my life from the wicked—
    use your sword!
14 Rescue me from these people—
    use your own hands, Lord!
Rescue me from these people
    whose only possession is their fleeting life.[f]
But fill the stomachs of your cherished ones;
    let their children be filled full
    so that they have leftovers enough for their babies.

15 But me? I will see your face in righteousness;
    when I awake, I will be filled full by seeing your image.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 16:1 Perhaps inscription
  2. Psalm 16:4 Heb uncertain in 16:3-4; Heb lacks because and god in 16:4.
  3. Psalm 16:10 Or my soul
  4. Psalm 16:10 Heb Sheol
  5. Psalm 17:10 Heb uncertain
  6. Psalm 17:14 Heb uncertain

Psalm 15

A psalm of David.

Lord, who may dwell(A) in your sacred tent?(B)
    Who may live on your holy mountain?(C)

The one whose walk is blameless,(D)
    who does what is righteous,
    who speaks the truth(E) from their heart;
whose tongue utters no slander,(F)
    who does no wrong to a neighbor,
    and casts no slur on others;
who despises a vile person
    but honors(G) those who fear the Lord;
who keeps an oath(H) even when it hurts,
    and does not change their mind;
who lends money to the poor without interest;(I)
    who does not accept a bribe(J) against the innocent.

Whoever does these things
    will never be shaken.(K)

Psalm 16

A miktam[a] of David.

Keep me safe,(L) my God,
    for in you I take refuge.(M)

I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord;(N)
    apart from you I have no good thing.”(O)
I say of the holy people(P) who are in the land,(Q)
    “They are the noble ones in whom is all my delight.”
Those who run after other gods(R) will suffer(S) more and more.
    I will not pour out libations of blood to such gods
    or take up their names(T) on my lips.

Lord, you alone are my portion(U) and my cup;(V)
    you make my lot(W) secure.
The boundary lines(X) have fallen for me in pleasant places;
    surely I have a delightful inheritance.(Y)
I will praise the Lord, who counsels me;(Z)
    even at night(AA) my heart instructs me.
I keep my eyes always on the Lord.
    With him at my right hand,(AB) I will not be shaken.(AC)

Therefore my heart is glad(AD) and my tongue rejoices;
    my body also will rest secure,(AE)
10 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,(AF)
    nor will you let your faithful[b] one(AG) see decay.(AH)
11 You make known to me the path of life;(AI)
    you will fill me with joy in your presence,(AJ)
    with eternal pleasures(AK) at your right hand.(AL)

Psalm 17

A prayer of David.

Hear me,(AM) Lord, my plea is just;
    listen to my cry.(AN)
Hear(AO) my prayer—
    it does not rise from deceitful lips.(AP)
Let my vindication(AQ) come from you;
    may your eyes see what is right.(AR)

Though you probe my heart,(AS)
    though you examine me at night and test me,(AT)
you will find that I have planned no evil;(AU)
    my mouth has not transgressed.(AV)
Though people tried to bribe me,
    I have kept myself from the ways of the violent
    through what your lips have commanded.
My steps have held to your paths;(AW)
    my feet have not stumbled.(AX)

I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;(AY)
    turn your ear to me(AZ) and hear my prayer.(BA)
Show me the wonders of your great love,(BB)
    you who save by your right hand(BC)
    those who take refuge(BD) in you from their foes.
Keep me(BE) as the apple of your eye;(BF)
    hide me(BG) in the shadow of your wings(BH)
from the wicked who are out to destroy me,
    from my mortal enemies who surround me.(BI)

10 They close up their callous hearts,(BJ)
    and their mouths speak with arrogance.(BK)
11 They have tracked me down, they now surround me,(BL)
    with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.
12 They are like a lion(BM) hungry for prey,(BN)
    like a fierce lion crouching in cover.

13 Rise up,(BO) Lord, confront them, bring them down;(BP)
    with your sword rescue me from the wicked.
14 By your hand save me from such people, Lord,
    from those of this world(BQ) whose reward is in this life.(BR)
May what you have stored up for the wicked fill their bellies;
    may their children gorge themselves on it,
    and may there be leftovers(BS) for their little ones.

15 As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face;
    when I awake,(BT) I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.(BU)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 16:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  2. Psalm 16:10 Or holy