Psalm 12

For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by an eight-stringed instrument.

Help, O Lord, for the godly are fast disappearing! The faithful have vanished from the earth!

Those who despise flagrant sinners, and honor the faithful followers of the Lord, and keep their promises even when it hurts.

To the faithful you show yourself faithful; to those with integrity you show integrity.

The Lord leads with unfailing love and faithfulness all who keep his covenant and obey his demands.

“What will you gain if I die, if I sink into the grave? Can my dust praise you? Can it tell of your faithfulness?

I entrust my spirit into your hand. Rescue me, Lord, for you are a faithful God.

Your unfailing love, O Lord, is as vast as the heavens; your faithfulness reaches beyond the clouds.

I have not kept the good news of your justice hidden in my heart; I have talked about your faithfulness and saving power. I have told everyone in the great assembly of your unfailing love and faithfulness.

Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me. Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me.

“Bring my faithful people to me— those who made a covenant with me by giving sacrifices.”

I will praise you forever, O God, for what you have done. I will trust in your good name in the presence of your faithful people.

He will send help from heaven to rescue me, disgracing those who hound me. Interlude My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness.

For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

May he reign under God’s protection forever. May your unfailing love and faithfulness watch over him.

You faithfully answer our prayers with awesome deeds, O God our savior. You are the hope of everyone on earth, even those who sail on distant seas.

Then I will praise you with music on the harp, because you are faithful to your promises, O my God. I will sing praises to you with a lyre, O Holy One of Israel.

They turned back and were as faithless as their parents. They were as undependable as a crooked bow.

You cried to me in trouble, and I saved you; I answered out of the thundercloud and tested your faith when there was no water at Meribah. Interlude

I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to their foolish ways.

But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.

Can those in the grave declare your unfailing love? Can they proclaim your faithfulness in the place of destruction?

Psalm 89

A psalm of Ethan the Ezrahite.

I will sing of the Lord’s unfailing love forever! Young and old will hear of your faithfulness.

Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens.

All heaven will praise your great wonders, Lord; myriads of angels will praise you for your faithfulness.

O Lord God of Heaven’s Armies! Where is there anyone as mighty as you, O Lord? You are entirely faithful.