They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

Submit to God’s royal son, or he will become angry, and you will be destroyed in the midst of all your activities— for his anger flares up in an instant. But what joy for all who take refuge in him!

Arise, O Lord! Rescue me, my God! Slap all my enemies in the face! Shatter the teeth of the wicked!

Therefore, the proud may not stand in your presence, for you hate all who do evil.

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy.

I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears.

My vision is blurred by grief; my eyes are worn out because of all my enemies.

Go away, all you who do evil, for the Lord has heard my weeping.

May all my enemies be disgraced and terrified. May they suddenly turn back in shame.

You have taught children and infants to tell of your strength, silencing your enemies and all who oppose you.

You gave them charge of everything you made, putting all things under their authority—

the flocks and the herds and all the wild animals,

Psalm 9

For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be sung to the tune “Death of the Son.”

I will praise you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all the marvelous things you have done.

The wicked will go down to the grave. This is the fate of all the nations who ignore God.

Yet they succeed in everything they do. They do not see your punishment awaiting them. They sneer at all their enemies.

But no, all have turned away; all have become corrupt. No one does good, not a single one!

Lord, you alone are my inheritance, my cup of blessing. You guard all that is mine.

For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.

Psalm 18

For the choir director: A psalm of David, the servant of the Lord. He sang this song to the Lord on the day the Lord rescued him from all his enemies and from Saul. He sang:

I love you, Lord; you are my strength.

I have followed all his regulations; I have never abandoned his decrees.

God’s way is perfect. All the Lord’s promises prove true. He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.

You placed my foot on their necks. I have destroyed all who hated me.

They all lose their courage and come trembling from their strongholds.

You give great victories to your king; you show unfailing love to your anointed, to David and all his descendants forever.

Yet their message has gone throughout the earth, and their words to all the world. God has made a home in the heavens for the sun.