then let my enemy pursue and overtake me; let him trample my life to the ground and make me sleep in the dust.

You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

By your hand save me from such people, Lord, from those of this world whose reward is in this life. May what you have stored up for the wicked fill their bellies; may their children gorge themselves on it, and may there be leftovers for their little ones.

He asked you for life, and you gave it to him— length of days, for ever and ever.

Deliver me from the sword, my precious life from the power of the dogs.

Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

Guard my life and rescue me; do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.

Psalm 26

Of David.

Vindicate me, Lord, for I have led a blameless life; I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered.

Do not take away my soul along with sinners, my life with those who are bloodthirsty,

I lead a blameless life; deliver me and be merciful to me.

Psalm 27

Of David.

The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?

One thing 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, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple.

For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may stay for the night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.

My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak.

For I hear many whispering, “Terror on every side!” They conspire against me and plot to take my life.

Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,

May those who seek my life be disgraced and put to shame; may those who plot my ruin be turned back in dismay.

How long, Lord, will you look on? Rescue me from their ravages, my precious life from these lions.

For with you is the fountain of life; in your light we see light.

“Show me, Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is.

Look away from me, that I may enjoy life again before I depart and am no more.”

May all who want to take my life be put to shame and confusion; may all who desire my ruin be turned back in disgrace.

By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life.

No one can redeem the life of another or give to God a ransom for them—

the ransom for a life is costly, no payment is ever enough—