Revised Common Lectionary (Complementary)
Psalm 140
Prayer for Rescue
For the choir director. A psalm of David.
1 Rescue me, Lord, from evil men.
Keep me safe from violent men(A)
2 who plan evil in their hearts.
They stir up wars all day long.(B)
3 They make their tongues
as sharp as a snake’s bite;
viper’s venom is under their lips.(C)Selah
4 Protect me, Lord,
from the power of the wicked.(D)
Keep me safe from violent men
who plan to make me stumble.[a](E)
5 The proud hide a trap with ropes for me;
they spread a net along the path
and set snares for me.(F)Selah
6 I say to the Lord, “You are my God.”
Listen, Lord, to my cry for help.(G)
7 Lord, my Lord, my strong Savior,
you shield my head on the day of battle.(H)
8 Lord, do not grant the desires of the wicked;
do not let them achieve their goals.
Otherwise, they will become proud.(I)Selah
15 I will give you shepherds who are loyal to me,[a](A) and they will shepherd you with knowledge and skill. 16 When you multiply and increase in the land,(B) in those days—this is the Lord’s declaration—no one will say again, “The ark of the Lord’s covenant.”(C) It will never come to mind, and no one will remember or miss it. Another one will not be made.[b] 17 At that time Jerusalem will be called The Lord’s Throne,(D) and all the nations will be gathered to it,(E) to the name of the Lord in Jerusalem.(F) They will cease to follow the stubbornness of their evil hearts. 18 In those days the house of Judah will join with the house of Israel,(G) and they will come together from the land of the north to the land I have given your ancestors to inherit.’”(H)
Light versus Darkness
6 Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath(A) is coming on the disobedient[a] because of these things. 7 Therefore, do not become their partners. 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light(B) in the Lord. Walk as children of light(C)— 9 for the fruit of the light[b] consists of all goodness, righteousness, and truth(D)— 10 testing(E) what is pleasing(F) to the Lord. 11 Don’t participate in the fruitless(G) works of darkness, but instead expose them. 12 For it is shameful even to mention what is done by them in secret. 13 Everything exposed by the light is made visible,(H) 14 for what makes everything visible is light. Therefore it is said:
Consistency in the Christian Life
15 Pay careful attention, then, to how you walk—not as unwise people but as wise— 16 making the most of the time,[c](L) because the days are evil. 17 So don’t be foolish, but understand(M) what the Lord’s will(N) is. 18 And don’t get drunk(O) with wine,(P) which leads to reckless living, but be filled by the Spirit:(Q) 19 speaking to one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, singing and making music with your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,
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