Psalm 13-16

New Living Translation

Psalm 13

For the choir director: A psalm of David.

¹O Lord, how long will you forget me? Forever?
    How long will you look the other way?
²How long must I struggle with anguish in my soul,
    with sorrow in my heart every day?
    How long will my enemy have the upper hand?

³Turn and answer me, O Lord my God!
Restore the sparkle to my eyes, or I will die.
⁴Don’t let my enemies gloat, saying, “We have defeated him!”
Don’t let them rejoice at my downfall.

⁵But I trust in your unfailing love.
I will rejoice because you have rescued me.
⁶I will sing to the Lord
because he is good to me.

Psalm 14

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.^[a]
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 15

A psalm of David.

¹Who may worship in your sanctuary, Lord?
    Who may enter your presence on your holy hill?
²Those who lead blameless lives and do what is right,
    speaking the truth from sincere hearts.
³Those who refuse to gossip
    or harm their neighbors
    or speak evil of their friends.
⁴Those who despise flagrant sinners,
    and honor the faithful followers of the Lord,
    and keep their promises even when it hurts.
⁵Those who lend money without charging interest,
    and who cannot be bribed to lie about the innocent.
Such people will stand firm forever.

Psalm 16

A psalm^[b] of David.

¹Keep me safe, O God,
for I have come to you for refuge.

²I said to the Lord, “You are my Master!
    Every good thing I have comes from you.”
³The godly people in the land
    are my true heroes!
    I take pleasure in them!
⁴Troubles multiply for those who chase after other gods.
    I will not take part in their sacrifices of blood
    or even speak the names of their gods.

⁵Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing.
You guard all that is mine.
⁶The land you have given me is a pleasant land.
What a wonderful inheritance!

⁷I will bless the Lord who guides me;
even at night my heart instructs me.
⁸I know the Lord is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.

⁹No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.^[c]
    My body rests in safety.
¹⁰For you will not leave my soul among the dead^[d]
    or allow your holy one^[e] to rot in the grave.
¹¹You will show me the way of life,
    granting me the joy of your presence
    and the pleasures of living with you forever.^[f]

Footnotes

14:3 Greek version reads have become useless. Compare Rom 3:12.
16:Title Hebrew miktam. This may be a literary or musical term.
16:9 Greek version reads and my tongue shouts his praises. Compare Acts 2:26.
16:10a Hebrew in Sheol.
16:10b Or your Holy One.
16:11 Greek version reads You have shown me the way of life, / and you will fill me with the joy of your presence. Compare Acts 2:28.