Psalm 26-27

New International Version

Psalm 26

Of David.

¹Vindicate me,^(A) Lord,
    for I have led a blameless life;^(B)
I have trusted^(C) in the Lord
    and have not faltered.^(D)
²Test me,^(E) Lord, and try me,
    examine my heart and my mind;^(F)
³for I have always been mindful of your unfailing love^(G)
    and have lived^(H) in reliance on your faithfulness.^(I)

⁴I do not sit^(J) with the deceitful,
    nor do I associate with hypocrites.^(K)
⁵I abhor^(L) the assembly of evildoers
    and refuse to sit with the wicked.
⁶I wash my hands in innocence,^(M)
    and go about your altar, Lord,
⁷proclaiming aloud your praise^(N)
    and telling of all your wonderful deeds.^(O)

⁸Lord, I love^(P) the house where you live,
    the place where your glory dwells.^(Q)
⁹Do not take away my soul along with sinners,
    my life with those who are bloodthirsty,^(R)
¹⁰in whose hands are wicked schemes,^(S)
    whose right hands are full of bribes.^(T)
¹¹I lead a blameless life;
    deliver me^(U) and be merciful to me.

¹²My feet stand on level ground;^(V)
in the great congregation^(W) I will praise the Lord.

Psalm 27

Of David.

¹The Lord is my light^(X) and my salvation^(Y)—
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold^(Z) of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?^(AA)

²When the wicked advance against me
    to devour^[a] me,
it is my enemies and my foes
    who will stumble and fall.^(AB)
³Though an army besiege me,
    my heart will not fear;^(AC)
though war break out against me,
    even then I will be confident.^(AD)

⁴One thing^(AE) I ask from the Lord,
    this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
    all the days of my life,^(AF)
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
    and to seek him in his temple.
⁵For in the day of trouble^(AG)
    he will keep me safe^(AH) in his dwelling;
he will hide me^(AI) in the shelter of his sacred tent
    and set me high upon a rock.^(AJ)

⁶Then my head will be exalted^(AK)
above the enemies who surround me;^(AL)
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice^(AM) with shouts of joy;^(AN)
I will sing^(AO) and make music^(AP) to the Lord.

⁷Hear my voice^(AQ) when I call, Lord;
    be merciful to me and answer me.^(AR)
⁸My heart says of you, “Seek his face!^(AS)”
    Your face, Lord, I will seek.
⁹Do not hide your face^(AT) from me,
    do not turn your servant away in anger;^(AU)
    you have been my helper.^(AV)
Do not reject me or forsake^(AW) me,
    God my Savior.^(AX)
¹⁰Though my father and mother forsake me,
    the Lord will receive me.
¹¹Teach me your way,^(AY) Lord;
    lead me in a straight path^(AZ)
    because of my oppressors.^(BA)
¹²Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
    for false witnesses^(BB) rise up against me,
    spouting malicious accusations.

¹³I remain confident of this:
    I will see the goodness of the Lord^(BC)
    in the land of the living.^(BD)
¹⁴Wait^(BE) for the Lord;
    be strong^(BF) and take heart
    and wait for the Lord.