Today's prayer: Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer

Psalm 61

1

Psalm 61 For the director of music. With stringed instruments. Of David.

1

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.

2

From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint; lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

3

For you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.

4

I long to dwell in your tent forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings. Selah

5

For you have heard my vows, O God; you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

6

Increase the days of the king's life, his years for many generations.

7

May he be enthroned in God's presence forever; appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.

8

Then will I ever sing praise to your name and fulfill my vows day after day.

Today's bible teaching: Make vows to the LORD your God and fulfill them; let all the neighboring lands bring gifts to the One to be feared.

Psalm 76

1

Psalm 76 For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of Asaph. A song.

1

In Judah God is known; his name is great in Israel.

2

His tent is in Salem, his dwelling place in Zion.

3

There he broke the flashing arrows, the shields and the swords, the weapons of war. Selah

4

You are resplendent with light, more majestic than mountains rich with game.

5

Valiant men lie plundered, they sleep their last sleep; not one of the warriors can lift his hands.

6

At your rebuke, O God of Jacob, both horse and chariot lie still.

7

You alone are to be feared. Who can stand before you when you are angry?

8

From heaven you pronounced judgment, and the land feared and was quiet--

9

when you, O God, rose up to judge, to save all the afflicted of the land. Selah

10

Surely your wrath against men brings you praise, and the survivors of your wrath are restrained. ^[1]

11

Make vows to the LORD your God and fulfill them; let all the neighboring lands bring gifts to the One to be feared.

12

He breaks the spirit of rulers; he is feared by the kings of the earth.

Today's bible teaching: But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.

Ephesians 5

1

Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children

2

and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

3

But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people.

4

Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.

5

For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person--such a man is an idolater--has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. ^[1]

6

Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things God's wrath comes on those who are disobedient.

7

Therefore do not be partners with them.

8

For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light

9

(for the fruit of the light consists in all goodness, righteousness and truth)

10

and find out what pleases the Lord.

11

Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.

12

For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.

13

But everything exposed by the light becomes visible,

14

for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said: "Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you."

15

Be very careful, then, how you live--not as unwise but as wise,

16

making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

17

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.

18

Do not get drunk on wine, which leads to debauchery. Instead, be filled with the Spirit.

19

Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs. Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,

20

always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

21

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

22

Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord.

23

For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.

24

Now as the church submits to Christ, so also wives should submit to their husbands in everything.

25

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her

26

to make her holy, cleansing ^[2] her by the washing with water through the word,

27

and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

28

In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.

29

After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church--

30

for we are members of his body.

31

"For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh." ^[3]

32

This is a profound mystery--but I am talking about Christ and the church.

33

However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.

Today's bible teaching: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men

Colossians 3

1

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God.

2

Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.

3

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God.

4

When Christ, who is your ^[1] life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.

5

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

6

Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. ^[2]

7

You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived.

8

But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.

9

Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices

10

and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.

11

Here there is no Greek or Jew, circumcised or uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave or free, but Christ is all, and is in all.

12

Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

13

Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

14

And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.

15

Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.

16

Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God.

17

And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

18

Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord.

19

Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them.

20

Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.

21

Fathers, do not embitter your children, or they will become discouraged.

22

Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.

23

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men,

24

since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.

25

Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.

Today's bible teaching: For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness

1.Thessalonians 4 

A Life Pleasing to God

1Finally, then, brothers,* we ask and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God, just as you are doing, that you do so more and more.2For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.3For this is the will of God, your sanctification:* that you abstain from sexual immorality;4that each one of you know how to control his own body* in holiness and honor,5not in the passion of lust like the Gentiles who do not know God;6that no one transgress and wrong his brother in this matter, because the Lord is an avenger in all these things, as we told you beforehand and solemnly warned you.7For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness.8Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.9Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another,10for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more,11and to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you,12so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

The Coming of the Lord

13But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.14For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.15For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord,* that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep.16For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.17Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.18Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Today's bible teaching: Like a wind from the east, I will scatter them before their enemies; I will show them my back and not my face in the day of their disaster

Jeremiah 18

1

This is the word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD:

2

"Go down to the potter's house, and there I will give you my message."

3

So I went down to the potter's house, and I saw him working at the wheel.

4

But the pot he was shaping from the clay was marred in his hands; so the potter formed it into another pot, shaping it as seemed best to him.

5

Then the word of the LORD came to me:

6

"O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.

7

If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed,

8

and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned.

9

And if at another time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be built up and planted,

10

and if it does evil in my sight and does not obey me, then I will reconsider the good I had intended to do for it.

11

"Now therefore say to the people of Judah and those living in Jerusalem, `This is what the LORD says: Look! I am preparing a disaster for you and devising a plan against you. So turn from your evil ways, each one of you, and reform your ways and your actions.'

12

But they will reply, `It's no use. We will continue with our own plans; each of us will follow the stubbornness of his evil heart.'"

13

Therefore this is what the LORD says: "Inquire among the nations: Who has ever heard anything like this? A most horrible thing has been done by Virgin Israel.

14

Does the snow of Lebanon ever vanish from its rocky slopes? Do its cool waters from distant sources ever cease to flow? ^[1]

15

Yet my people have forgotten me; they burn incense to worthless idols, which made them stumble in their ways and in the ancient paths. They made them walk in bypaths and on roads not built up.

16

Their land will be laid waste, an object of lasting scorn; all who pass by will be appalled and will shake their heads.

17

Like a wind from the east, I will scatter them before their enemies; I will show them my back and not my face in the day of their disaster."

18

They said, "Come, let's make plans against Jeremiah; for the teaching of the law by the priest will not be lost, nor will counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophets. So come, let's attack him with our tongues and pay no attention to anything he says."

19

Listen to me, O LORD; hear what my accusers are saying!

20

Should good be repaid with evil? Yet they have dug a pit for me. Remember that I stood before you and spoke in their behalf to turn your wrath away from them.

21

So give their children over to famine; hand them over to the power of the sword. Let their wives be made childless and widows; let their men be put to death, their young men slain by the sword in battle.

22

Let a cry be heard from their houses when you suddenly bring invaders against them, for they have dug a pit to capture me and have hidden snares for my feet.

23

But you know, O LORD, all their plots to kill me. Do not forgive their crimes or blot out their sins from your sight. Let them be overthrown before you; deal with them in the time of your anger.

Today's bible teaching: For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in

Matthew 25

1

"At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

2

Five of them were foolish and five were wise.

3

The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them.

4

The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps.

5

The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

6

"At midnight the cry rang out: `Here's the bridegroom! Come out to meet him!'

7

"Then all the virgins woke up and trimmed their lamps.

8

The foolish ones said to the wise, `Give us some of your oil; our lamps are going out.'

9

"`No,' they replied, `there may not be enough for both us and you. Instead, go to those who sell oil and buy some for yourselves.'

10

"But while they were on their way to buy the oil, the bridegroom arrived. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the wedding banquet. And the door was shut.

11

"Later the others also came. `Sir! Sir!' they said. `Open the door for us!'

12

"But he replied, `I tell you the truth, I don't know you.'

13

"Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour.

14

"Again, it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted his property to them.

15

To one he gave five talents ^[1] of money, to another two talents, and to another one talent, each according to his ability. Then he went on his journey.

16

The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more.

17

So also, the one with the two talents gained two more.

18

But the man who had received the one talent went off, dug a hole in the ground and hid his master's money.

19

"After a long time the master of those servants returned and settled accounts with them.

20

The man who had received the five talents brought the other five. `Master,' he said, `you entrusted me with five talents. See, I have gained five more.'

21

"His master replied, `Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

22

"The man with the two talents also came. `Master,' he said, `you entrusted me with two talents; see, I have gained two more.'

23

"His master replied, `Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master's happiness!'

24

"Then the man who had received the one talent came. `Master,' he said, `I knew that you are a hard man, harvesting where you have not sown and gathering where you have not scattered seed.

25

So I was afraid and went out and hid your talent in the ground. See, here is what belongs to you.'

26

"His master replied, `You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew that I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed?

27

Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so that when I returned I would have received it back with interest.

28

"`Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents.

29

For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him.

30

And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

31

"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.

32

All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

33

He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34

"Then the King will say to those on his right, `Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

35

For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,

36

I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

37

"Then the righteous will answer him, `Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?

38

When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?

39

When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

40

"The King will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

41

"Then he will say to those on his left, `Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.

42

For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink,

43

I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'

44

"They also will answer, `Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'

45

"He will reply, `I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'

46

"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."

Today's prayer: To you I call, O LORD my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who have gone down to the pit

Psalm 28

1

Psalm 28 Of David.

1

To you I call, O LORD my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who have gone down to the pit.

2

Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.

3

Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts.

4

Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done and bring back upon them what they deserve.

5

Since they show no regard for the works of the LORD and what his hands have done, he will tear them down and never build them up again.

6

Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy.

7

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

8

The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.

9

Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.

Today's prayer: O Lord, how long will you look on? Rescue my life from their ravages, my precious life from these lions.

Psalm 35

1

Psalm 35 Of David.

1

Contend, O LORD, with those who contend with me; fight against those who fight against me.

2

Take up shield and buckler; arise and come to my aid.

3

Brandish spear and javelin ^[1] against those who pursue me. Say to my soul, "I am your salvation."

4

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

5

May they be like chaff before the wind, with the angel of the LORD driving them away;

6

may their path be dark and slippery, with the angel of the LORD pursuing them.

7

Since they hid their net for me without cause and without cause dug a pit for me,

8

may ruin overtake them by surprise-- may the net they hid entangle them, may they fall into the pit, to their ruin.

9

Then my soul will rejoice in the LORD and delight in his salvation.

10

My whole being will exclaim, "Who is like you, O LORD? You rescue the poor from those too strong for them, the poor and needy from those who rob them."

11

Ruthless witnesses come forward; they question me on things I know nothing about.

12

They repay me evil for good and leave my soul forlorn.

13

Yet when they were ill, I put on sackcloth and humbled myself with fasting. When my prayers returned to me unanswered,

14

I went about mourning as though for my friend or brother. I bowed my head in grief as though weeping for my mother.

15

But when I stumbled, they gathered in glee; attackers gathered against me when I was unaware. They slandered me without ceasing.

16

Like the ungodly they maliciously mocked ^[2] ; they gnashed their teeth at me.

17

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

18

I will give you thanks in the great assembly; among throngs of people I will praise you.

19

Let not those gloat over me who are my enemies without cause; let not those who hate me without reason maliciously wink the eye.

20

They do not speak peaceably, but devise false accusations against those who live quietly in the land.

21

They gape at me and say, "Aha! Aha! With our own eyes we have seen it."

22

O LORD, you have seen this; be not silent. Do not be far from me, O Lord.

23

Awake, and rise to my defense! Contend for me, my God and Lord.

24

Vindicate me in your righteousness, O LORD my God; do not let them gloat over me.

25

Do not let them think, "Aha, just what we wanted!" or say, "We have swallowed him up."

26

May all who gloat over my distress be put to shame and confusion; may all who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and disgrace.

27

May those who delight in my vindication shout for joy and gladness; may they always say, "The LORD be exalted, who delights in the well-being of his servant."

28

My tongue will speak of your righteousness and of your praises all day long.

Psalm 117

1

Psalm 117

1

Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.

2

For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD.^[1

Today's bible teaching: "Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise," says the LORD. "I will protect them from those who malign them."

Psalm 12

1

Psalm 12 For the director of music. According to sheminith. ^[1] A psalm of David.

1

Help, LORD, for the godly are no more; the faithful have vanished from among men.

2

Everyone lies to his neighbor; their flattering lips speak with deception.

3

May the LORD cut off all flattering lips and every boastful tongue

4

that says, "We will triumph with our tongues; we own our lips ^[2] --who is our master?"

5

"Because of the oppression of the weak and the groaning of the needy, I will now arise," says the LORD. "I will protect them from those who malign them."

6

And the words of the LORD are flawless, like silver refined in a furnace of clay, purified seven times.

7

O LORD, you will keep us safe and protect us from such people forever.

8

The wicked freely strut about when what is vile is honored among men.

Today's bible teaching: Is it not you, O God, you who have rejected us and no longer go out with our armies?

Psalm 60

1

Psalm 60 For the director of music. To [the tune of] "The Lily of the Covenant." A miktam ^[1] of David. For teaching. When he fought Aram Naharaim ^[2] and Aram Zobah, ^[3] and when Joab returned and struck down twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

1

You have rejected us, O God, and burst forth upon us; you have been angry--now restore us!

2

You have shaken the land and torn it open; mend its fractures, for it is quaking.

3

You have shown your people desperate times; you have given us wine that makes us stagger.

4

But for those who fear you, you have raised a banner to be unfurled against the bow. Selah

5

Save us and help us with your right hand, that those you love may be delivered.

6

God has spoken from his sanctuary: "In triumph I will parcel out Shechem and measure off the Valley of Succoth.

7

Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim is my helmet, Judah my scepter.

8

Moab is my washbasin, upon Edom I toss my sandal; over Philistia I shout in triumph."

9

Who will bring me to the fortified city? Who will lead me to Edom?

10

Is it not you, O God, you who have rejected us and no longer go out with our armies?

11

Give us aid against the enemy, for the help of man is worthless.

12

With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.

Today's bible teaching: Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him

Psalm 33

1

Psalm 33

1

Sing joyfully to the LORD, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him.

2

Praise the LORD with the harp; make music to him on the ten-stringed lyre.

3

Sing to him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.

4

For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does.

5

The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love.

6

By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth.

7

He gathers the waters of the sea into jars ^[1] ; he puts the deep into storehouses.

8

Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the people of the world revere him.

9

For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.

10

The LORD foils the plans of the nations; he thwarts the purposes of the peoples.

11

But the plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of his heart through all generations.

12

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.

13

From heaven the LORD looks down and sees all mankind;

14

from his dwelling place he watches all who live on earth--

15

he who forms the hearts of all, who considers everything they do.

16

No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.

17

A horse is a vain hope for deliverance; despite all its great strength it cannot save.

18

But the eyes of the LORD are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love,

19

to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.

20

We wait in hope for the LORD; he is our help and our shield.

21

In him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name.

22

May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.

Today's bible teaching: LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?

Psalm 15

1

Psalm 15 A psalm of David.

1

LORD, who may dwell in your sanctuary? Who may live on your holy hill?

2

He whose walk is blameless and who does what is righteous, who speaks the truth from his heart

3

and has no slander on his tongue, who does his neighbor no wrong and casts no slur on his fellowman,

4

who despises a vile man but honors those who fear the LORD, who keeps his oath even when it hurts,

5

who lends his money without usury and does not accept a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things will never be shaken.

Today's prayer: Arise, O LORD! Deliver me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.

Psalm 3

1

Psalm 3 A psalm of David. When he fled from his son Absalom.

1

O LORD, how many are my foes! How many rise up against me!

2

Many are saying of me, "God will not deliver him." Selah ^[1]

3

But you are a shield around me, O LORD; you bestow glory on me and lift ^[2] up my head.

4

To the LORD I cry aloud, and he answers me from his holy hill. Selah

5

I lie down and sleep; I wake again, because the LORD sustains me.

6

I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side.

7

Arise, O LORD! Deliver me, O my God! Strike all my enemies on the jaw; break the teeth of the wicked.

8

From the LORD comes deliverance. May your blessing be on your people. Selah

Today's prayer: Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings

Psalm 17

1

Psalm 17 A prayer of David.

1

Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer-- it does not rise from deceitful lips.

2

May my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right.

3

Though you probe my heart and examine me at night, though you test me, you will find nothing; I have resolved that my mouth will not sin.

4

As for the deeds of men-- by the word of your lips I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.

5

My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not slipped.

6

I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer.

7

Show the wonder of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes.

8

Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings

9

from the wicked who assail me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.

10

They close up their callous hearts, and their mouths speak with arrogance.

11

They have tracked me down, they now surround me, with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.

12

They are like a lion hungry for prey, like a great lion crouching in cover.

13

Rise up, O LORD, confront them, bring them down; rescue me from the wicked by your sword.

14

O LORD, by your hand save me from such men, from men of this world whose reward is in this life. You still the hunger of those you cherish; their sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children.

15

And I--in righteousness I will see your face; when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.

Today's praises: Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.

117

1

Psalm 117

1

Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.

2

For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD.^[1]

Today's bible teaching: How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!

Psalm 133

New International Version

Psalm 133

A song of ascents. Of David.

1 How good and pleasant it is
    when God’s people live together in unity!

2 It is like precious oil poured on the head,
    running down on the beard,
running down on Aaron’s beard,
    down on the collar of his robe.
3 It is as if the dew(D) of Hermon(E)
    were falling on Mount Zion.(F)
For there the Lord bestows his blessing,
    even life forevermore

Today's prayer: Hear my prayer, O LORD, listen to my cry for help; be not deaf to my weeping

Psalm 39

1

Psalm 39 For the director of music. For Jeduthun. A psalm of David.

1

I said, "I will watch my ways and keep my tongue from sin; I will put a muzzle on my mouth as long as the wicked are in my presence."

2

But when I was silent and still, not even saying anything good, my anguish increased.

3

My heart grew hot within me, and as I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue:

4

"Show me, O LORD, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life.

5

You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man's life is but a breath. Selah

6

Man is a mere phantom as he goes to and fro: He bustles about, but only in vain; he heaps up wealth, not knowing who will get it.

7

"But now, Lord, what do I look for? My hope is in you.

8

Save me from all my transgressions; do not make me the scorn of fools.

9

I was silent; I would not open my mouth, for you are the one who has done this.

10

Remove your scourge from me; I am overcome by the blow of your hand.

11

You rebuke and discipline men for their sin; you consume their wealth like a moth-- each man is but a breath. Selah

12

"Hear my prayer, O LORD, listen to my cry for help; be not deaf to my weeping. For I dwell with you as an alien, a stranger, as all my fathers were.

13

Look away from me, that I may rejoice again before I depart and am no more."

Today's bible teaching: If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?

Psalm 130

1

Psalm 130 A song of ascents.

1

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;

2

O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.

3

If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?

4

But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.

5

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.

6

My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.

7

O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.

8

He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.

Today's prayer: May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you

Psalm 20

1

Psalm 20 For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1

May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.

2

May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.

3

May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. Selah

4

May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

5

We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests.

6

Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand.

7

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

8

They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.

9

O LORD, save the king! Answer ^[1] us when we call!

Today's prayer: May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you

Psalm 20

1

Psalm 20 For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1

May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.

2

May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.

3

May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. Selah

4

May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

5

We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests.

6

Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand.

7

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

8

They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.

9

O LORD, save the king! Answer ^[1] us when we call!

Today's prayer: May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you

Psalm 20

1

Psalm 20 For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1

May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.

2

May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.

3

May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. Selah

4

May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.

5

We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests.

6

Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand.

7

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

8

They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.

9

O LORD, save the king! Answer ^[1] us when we call!

Today's bible teaching: Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.

Psalm 126

1

Psalm 126 A song of ascents.

1

When the LORD brought back the captives to ^[1] Zion, we were like men who dreamed. ^[2]

2

Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."

3

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

4

Restore our fortunes, ^[3] O LORD, like streams in the Negev.

5

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.

6

He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him

Today's bible teaching: But the LORD is righteous; he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.

Psalm 129

1

Psalm 129 A song of ascents.

1

They have greatly oppressed me from my youth-- let Israel say--

2

they have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory over me.

3

Plowmen have plowed my back and made their furrows long.

4

But the LORD is righteous; he has cut me free from the cords of the wicked.

5

May all who hate Zion be turned back in shame.

6

May they be like grass on the roof, which withers before it can grow;

7

with it the reaper cannot fill his hands, nor the one who gathers fill his arms.

8

May those who pass by not say, "The blessing of the LORD be upon you; we bless you in the name of the LORD."

Today's prayer: Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us, for we have endured much contempt.

Psalm 123

1

Psalm 123 A song of ascents.

1

I lift up my eyes to you, to you whose throne is in heaven.

2

As the eyes of slaves look to the hand of their master, as the eyes of a maid look to the hand of her mistress, so our eyes look to the LORD our God, till he shows us his mercy.

3

Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us, for we have endured much contempt.

4

We have endured much ridicule from the proud, much contempt from the arrogant.

Today's bible teaching: May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels

Psalm 122

1

Psalm 122 A song of ascents. Of David.

1

I rejoiced with those who said to me, "Let us go to the house of the LORD."

2

Our feet are standing in your gates, O Jerusalem.

3

Jerusalem is built like a city that is closely compacted together.

4

That is where the tribes go up, the tribes of the LORD, to praise the name of the LORD according to the statute given to Israel.

5

There the thrones for judgment stand, the thrones of the house of David.

6

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem: "May those who love you be secure.

7

May there be peace within your walls and security within your citadels."

8

For the sake of my brothers and friends, I will say, "Peace be within you."

9

For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity.

Today's bible teaching: Judah became God's sanctuary, Israel his dominion

Psalm 114

1

Psalm 114

1

When Israel came out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of foreign tongue,

2

Judah became God's sanctuary, Israel his dominion.

3

The sea looked and fled, the Jordan turned back;

4

the mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs.

5

Why was it, O sea, that you fled, O Jordan, that you turned back,

6

you mountains, that you skipped like rams, you hills, like lambs?

7

Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob,

8

who turned the rock into a pool, the hard rock into springs of water.

Today's bible teaching: Zion hears and rejoices and the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments, O LORD.

Psalm 97

1

Psalm 97

1

The LORD reigns, let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice.

2

Clouds and thick darkness surround him; righteousness and justice are the foundation of his throne.

3

Fire goes before him and consumes his foes on every side.

4

His lightning lights up the world; the earth sees and trembles.

5

The mountains melt like wax before the LORD, before the Lord of all the earth.

6

The heavens proclaim his righteousness, and all the peoples see his glory.

7

All who worship images are put to shame, those who boast in idols-- worship him, all you gods!

8

Zion hears and rejoices and the villages of Judah are glad because of your judgments, O LORD.

9

For you, O LORD, are the Most High over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.

10

Let those who love the LORD hate evil, for he guards the lives of his faithful ones and delivers them from the hand of the wicked.

11

Light is shed upon the righteous and joy on the upright in heart.

12

Rejoice in the LORD, you who are righteous, and praise his holy name.

Today's bible teaching: Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob

Psalm 114

1

Psalm 114

1

When Israel came out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a people of foreign tongue,

2

Judah became God's sanctuary, Israel his dominion.

3

The sea looked and fled, the Jordan turned back;

4

the mountains skipped like rams, the hills like lambs.

5

Why was it, O sea, that you fled, O Jordan, that you turned back,

6

you mountains, that you skipped like rams, you hills, like lambs?

7

Tremble, O earth, at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the God of Jacob,

8

who turned the rock into a pool, the hard rock into springs of water.

Today's prayer: Deliver me from my enemies, O God; be my fortress against those who are attacking me

Psalm 59

1 Deliver me from my enemies, O God; be my fortress against those who are attacking me.

2 Deliver me from evildoers and save me from those who are after my blood.

3 See how they lie in wait for me! Fierce men conspire against me for no offense or sin of mine, LORD.

4 I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. Arise to help me; look on my plight!

5 You, LORD God Almighty, you who are the God of Israel, rouse yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to wicked traitors.

6 They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city.

7 See what they spew from their mouths— the words from their lips are sharp as swords, and they think, “Who can hear us?”

8 But you laugh at them, LORD; you scoff at all those nations.

9 You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress,

10 my God on whom I can rely. God will go before me and will let me gloat over those who slander me.

11 But do not kill them, Lord our shield,or my people will forget. In your might uproot them and bring them down.

12 For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride. For the curses and lies they utter,

13 consume them in your wrath, consume them till they are no more. Then it will be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob.

14 They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city.

15 They wander about for food and howl if not satisfied.

16 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

17 You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.