Today's bible teaching: The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.

 Psalm 14

1

Psalm 14 For the director of music. Of David.

1

The fool ^[1] says in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, their deeds are vile; there is no one who does good.

2

The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.

3

All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one.

4

Will evildoers never learn-- those who devour my people as men eat bread and who do not call on the LORD?

5

There they are, overwhelmed with dread, for God is present in the company of the righteous.

6

You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the LORD is their refuge.

7

Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the LORD restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

Today's prayer: Save me, O LORD, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.

 Psalm 120

1

Psalm 120 A song of ascents.

1

I call on the LORD in my distress, and he answers me.

2

Save me, O LORD, from lying lips and from deceitful tongues.

3

What will he do to you, and what more besides, O deceitful tongue?

4

He will punish you with a warrior's sharp arrows, with burning coals of the broom tree.

5

Woe to me that I dwell in Meshech, that I live among the tents of Kedar!

6

Too long have I lived among those who hate peace.

7

I am a man of peace; but when I speak, they are for war.

Today's bible teaching: Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD

 Psalm 31

1

Psalm 31 For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1

In you, O LORD, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.

2

Turn your ear to me, come quickly to my rescue; be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me.

3

Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me.

4

Free me from the trap that is set for me, for you are my refuge.

5

Into your hands I commit my spirit; redeem me, O LORD, the God of truth.

6

I hate those who cling to worthless idols; I trust in the LORD.

7

I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul.

8

You have not handed me over to the enemy but have set my feet in a spacious place.

9

Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief.

10

My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, ^[1] and my bones grow weak.

11

Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors; I am a dread to my friends-- those who see me on the street flee from me.

12

I am forgotten by them as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery.

13

For I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side; they conspire against me and plot to take my life.

14

But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, "You are my God."

15

My times are in your hands; deliver me from my enemies and from those who pursue me.

16

Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.

17

Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I have cried out to you; but let the wicked be put to shame and lie silent in the grave. ^[2]

18

Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous.

19

How great is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you, which you bestow in the sight of men on those who take refuge in you.

20

In the shelter of your presence you hide them from the intrigues of men; in your dwelling you keep them safe from accusing tongues.

21

Praise be to the LORD, for he showed his wonderful love to me when I was in a besieged city.

22

In my alarm I said, "I am cut off from your sight!" Yet you heard my cry for mercy when I called to you for help.

23

Love the LORD, all his saints! The LORD preserves the faithful, but the proud he pays back in full.

24

Be strong and take heart, all you who hope in the LORD.

Today's prayer: Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray

 Psalm 5

1

Psalm 5 For the director of music. For flutes. A psalm of David.

1

Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing.

2

Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.

3

In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

4

You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell.

5

The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong.

6

You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors.

7

But I, by your great mercy, will come into your house; in reverence will I bow down toward your holy temple.

8

Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies-- make straight your way before me.

9

Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with destruction. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongue they speak deceit.

10

Declare them guilty, O God! Let their intrigues be their downfall. Banish them for their many sins, for they have rebelled against you.

11

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

12

For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

Today's prayer:Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry for help come to you.

 Psalm 102

1

Psalm 102 A prayer of an afflicted man. When he is faint and pours out his lament before the LORD.

1

Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry for help come to you.

2

Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly.

3

For my days vanish like smoke; my bones burn like glowing embers.

4

My heart is blighted and withered like grass; I forget to eat my food.

5

Because of my loud groaning I am reduced to skin and bones.

6

I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins.

7

I lie awake; I have become like a bird alone on a roof.

8

All day long my enemies taunt me; those who rail against me use my name as a curse.

9

For I eat ashes as my food and mingle my drink with tears

10

because of your great wrath, for you have taken me up and thrown me aside.

11

My days are like the evening shadow; I wither away like grass.

12

But you, O LORD, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations.

13

You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come.

14

For her stones are dear to your servants; her very dust moves them to pity.

15

The nations will fear the name of the LORD, all the kings of the earth will revere your glory.

16

For the LORD will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory.

17

He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea.

18

Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD:

19

"The LORD looked down from his sanctuary on high, from heaven he viewed the earth,

20

to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death."

21

So the name of the LORD will be declared in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem

22

when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship the LORD.

23

In the course of my life ^[1] he broke my strength; he cut short my days.

24

So I said: "Do not take me away, O my God, in the midst of my days; your years go on through all generations.

25

In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

26

They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded.

27

But you remain the same, and your years will never end.

28

The children of your servants will live in your presence; their descendants will be established before you."

Today's bible teaching: Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways

 Psalm 128

1

Psalm 128 A song of ascents.

1

Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in his ways.

2

You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.

3

Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your sons will be like olive shoots around your table.

4

Thus is the man blessed who fears the LORD.

5

May the LORD bless you from Zion all the days of your life; may you see the prosperity of Jerusalem,

6

and may you live to see your children's children. Peace be upon Israel.

Today's bible teaching: Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

 Psalm 42

1

Psalm 42 For the director of music. A maskil ^[1] of the Sons of Korah. ^[2]

1

As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.

2

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God?

3

My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, "Where is your God?"

4

These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng.

5

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and

6

my God. My ^[3] soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you from the land of the Jordan, the heights of Hermon--from Mount Mizar.

7

Deep calls to deep in the roar of your waterfalls; all your waves and breakers have swept over me.

8

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

9

I say to God my Rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why must I go about mourning, oppressed by the enemy?"

10

My bones suffer mortal agony as my foes taunt me, saying to me all day long, "Where is your God?"

11

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.

Today's praises: Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength; we will sing and praise your might.

 Psalm 21

1

Psalm 21 For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1

O LORD, the king rejoices in your strength. How great is his joy in the victories you give!

2

You have granted him the desire of his heart and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah

3

You welcomed him with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure gold on his head.

4

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

5

Through the victories you gave, his glory is great; you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty.

6

Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.

7

For the king trusts in the LORD; through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken.

8

Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies; your right hand will seize your foes.

9

At the time of your appearing you will make them like a fiery furnace. In his wrath the LORD will swallow them up, and his fire will consume them.

10

You will destroy their descendants from the earth, their posterity from mankind.

11

Though they plot evil against you and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed;

12

for you will make them turn their backs when you aim at them with drawn bow.

13

Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength; we will sing and praise your might.

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

 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 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: In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them

 Psalm 22

1

Psalm 22 For the director of music. To [the tune of] "The Doe of the Morning." A psalm of David.

1

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from the words of my groaning?

2

O my God, I cry out by day, but you do not answer, by night, and am not silent.

3

Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the praise of Israel. ^[1]

4

In you our fathers put their trust; they trusted and you delivered them.

5

They cried to you and were saved; in you they trusted and were not disappointed.

6

But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by men and despised by the people.

7

All who see me mock me; they hurl insults, shaking their heads:

8

"He trusts in the LORD; let the LORD rescue him. Let him deliver him, since he delights in him."

9

Yet you brought me out of the womb; you made me trust in you even at my mother's breast.

10

From birth I was cast upon you; from my mother's womb you have been my God.

11

Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help.

12

Many bulls surround me; strong bulls of Bashan encircle me.

13

Roaring lions tearing their prey open their mouths wide against me.

14

I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint. My heart has turned to wax; it has melted away within me.

15

My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you lay me ^[2] in the dust of death.

16

Dogs have surrounded me; a band of evil men has encircled me, they have pierced ^[3] my hands and my feet.

17

I can count all my bones; people stare and gloat over me.

18

They divide my garments among them and cast lots for my clothing.

19

But you, O LORD, be not far off; O my Strength, come quickly to help me.

20

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

21

Rescue me from the mouth of the lions; save ^[4] me from the horns of the wild oxen.

22

I will declare your name to my brothers; in the congregation I will praise you.

23

You who fear the LORD, praise him! All you descendants of Jacob, honor him! Revere him, all you descendants of Israel!

24

For he has not despised or disdained the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help.

25

From you comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly; before those who fear you ^[5] will I fulfill my vows.

26

The poor will eat and be satisfied; they who seek the LORD will praise him-- may your hearts live forever!

27

All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before him,

28

for dominion belongs to the LORD and he rules over the nations.

29

All the rich of the earth will feast and worship; all who go down to the dust will kneel before him-- those who cannot keep themselves alive.

30

Posterity will serve him; future generations will be told about the Lord.

31

They will proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn-- for he has done it.

Today's bible: O LORD my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me

 Psalm 7

1

Psalm 7 A shiggaion ^[1] of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning Cush, a Benjamite.

1

O LORD my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me,

2

or they will tear me like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.

3

O LORD my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands--

4

if I have done evil to him who is at peace with me or without cause have robbed my foe--

5

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

6

Arise, O LORD, in your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies. Awake, my God; decree justice.

7

Let the assembled peoples gather around you. Rule over them from on high;

8

let the LORD judge the peoples. Judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High.

9

O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure.

10

My shield ^[2] is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart.

11

God is a righteous judge, a God who expresses his wrath every day.

12

If he does not relent, he ^[3] will sharpen his sword; he will bend and string his bow.

13

He has prepared his deadly weapons; he makes ready his flaming arrows.

14

He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment.

15

He who digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit he has made.

16

The trouble he causes recoils on himself; his violence comes down on his own head.

17

I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.

Today's bible teaching: Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

 Psalm 37

1

Psalm 37 Of David. Q

1

Do not fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong;

2

for like the grass they will soon wither, like green plants they will soon die away.

3

Trust in the LORD and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.

4

Delight yourself in the LORD and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5

Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him and he will do this:

6

He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.

7

Be still before the LORD and wait patiently for him; do not fret when men succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes.

8

Refrain from anger and turn from wrath; do not fret--it leads only to evil.

9

For evil men will be cut off, but those who hope in the LORD will inherit the land.

10

A little while, and the wicked will be no more; though you look for them, they will not be found.

11

But the meek will inherit the land and enjoy great peace.

12

The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them;

13

but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he knows their day is coming.

14

The wicked draw the sword and bend the bow to bring down the poor and needy, to slay those whose ways are upright.

15

But their swords will pierce their own hearts, and their bows will be broken.

16

Better the little that the righteous have than the wealth of many wicked;

17

for the power of the wicked will be broken, but the LORD upholds the righteous.

18

The days of the blameless are known to the LORD, and their inheritance will endure forever.

19

In times of disaster they will not wither; in days of famine they will enjoy plenty.

20

But the wicked will perish: The LORD's enemies will be like the beauty of the fields, they will vanish--vanish like smoke.

21

The wicked borrow and do not repay, but the righteous give generously;

22

those the LORD blesses will inherit the land, but those he curses will be cut off.

23

If the LORD delights in a man's way, he makes his steps firm;

24

though he stumble, he will not fall, for the LORD upholds him with his hand.

25

I was young and now I am old, yet I have never seen the righteous forsaken or their children begging bread.

26

They are always generous and lend freely; their children will be blessed.

27

Turn from evil and do good; then you will dwell in the land forever.

28

For the LORD loves the just and will not forsake his faithful ones. They will be protected forever, but the offspring of the wicked will be cut off;

29

the righteous will inherit the land and dwell in it forever.

30

The mouth of the righteous man utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks what is just.

31

The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip.

32

The wicked lie in wait for the righteous, seeking their very lives;

33

but the LORD will not leave them in their power or let them be condemned when brought to trial.

34

Wait for the LORD and keep his way. He will exalt you to inherit the land; when the wicked are cut off, you will see it.

35

I have seen a wicked and ruthless man flourishing like a green tree in its native soil,

36

but he soon passed away and was no more; though I looked for him, he could not be found.

37

Consider the blameless, observe the upright; there is a future ^[2] for the man of peace.

38

But all sinners will be destroyed; the future ^[3] of the wicked will be cut off.

39

The salvation of the righteous comes from the LORD; he is their stronghold in time of trouble.

40

The LORD helps them and delivers them; he delivers them from the wicked and saves them, because they take refuge in him.

Today's bible teaching: Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling

 Psalm 2

1

Psalm 2

1

Why do the nations conspire ^[1] and the peoples plot in vain?

2

The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD and against his Anointed One. ^[2]

3

"Let us break their chains," they say, "and throw off their fetters."

4

The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them.

5

Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying,

6

"I have installed my King ^[3] on Zion, my holy hill."

7

I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son ^[4] ; today I have become your Father. ^[5]

8

Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession.

9

You will rule them with an iron scepter ^[6] ; you will dash them to pieces like pottery."

10

Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth.

11

Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling.

12

Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him.

Today's prayer: May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD, even as we put our hope in you.

 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 prayer: Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless

 Psalm 10

1

Psalm 10 ^[1]

1

Why, O LORD, do you stand far off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?

2

In his arrogance the wicked man hunts down the weak, who are caught in the schemes he devises.

3

He boasts of the cravings of his heart; he blesses the greedy and reviles the LORD.

4

In his pride the wicked does not seek him; in all his thoughts there is no room for God.

5

His ways are always prosperous; he is haughty and your laws are far from him; he sneers at all his enemies.

6

He says to himself, "Nothing will shake me; I'll always be happy and never have trouble."

7

His mouth is full of curses and lies and threats; trouble and evil are under his tongue.

8

He lies in wait near the villages; from ambush he murders the innocent, watching in secret for his victims.

9

He lies in wait like a lion in cover; he lies in wait to catch the helpless; he catches the helpless and drags them off in his net.

10

His victims are crushed, they collapse; they fall under his strength.

11

He says to himself, "God has forgotten; he covers his face and never sees."

12

Arise, LORD! Lift up your hand, O God. Do not forget the helpless.

13

Why does the wicked man revile God? Why does he say to himself, "He won't call me to account"?

14

But you, O God, do see trouble and grief; you consider it to take it in hand. The victim commits himself to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.

15

Break the arm of the wicked and evil man; call him to account for his wickedness that would not be found out.

16

The LORD is King for ever and ever; the nations will perish from his land.

17

You hear, O LORD, the desire of the afflicted; you encourage them, and you listen to their cry,

18

defending the fatherless and the oppressed, in order that man, who is of the earth, may terrify no more.

Today's praises:I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.

 Psalm 7

1

Psalm 7 A shiggaion ^[1] of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning Cush, a Benjamite.

1

O LORD my God, I take refuge in you; save and deliver me from all who pursue me,

2

or they will tear me like a lion and rip me to pieces with no one to rescue me.

3

O LORD my God, if I have done this and there is guilt on my hands--

4

if I have done evil to him who is at peace with me or without cause have robbed my foe--

5

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

6

Arise, O LORD, in your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies. Awake, my God; decree justice.

7

Let the assembled peoples gather around you. Rule over them from on high;

8

let the LORD judge the peoples. Judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, according to my integrity, O Most High.

9

O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure.

10

My shield ^[2] is God Most High, who saves the upright in heart.

11

God is a righteous judge, a God who expresses his wrath every day.

12

If he does not relent, he ^[3] will sharpen his sword; he will bend and string his bow.

13

He has prepared his deadly weapons; he makes ready his flaming arrows.

14

He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment.

15

He who digs a hole and scoops it out falls into the pit he has made.

16

The trouble he causes recoils on himself; his violence comes down on his own head.

17

I will give thanks to the LORD because of his righteousness and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High.

Today's praises: Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done.

 Psalm 9

1

Psalm 9 For the director of music. To [the tune of] "The Death of the Son." A psalm of David. ^[1]

1

I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.

2

I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.

3

My enemies turn back; they stumble and perish before you.

4

For you have upheld my right and my cause; you have sat on your throne, judging righteously.

5

You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; you have blotted out their name for ever and ever.

6

Endless ruin has overtaken the enemy, you have uprooted their cities; even the memory of them has perished.

7

The LORD reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment.

8

He will judge the world in righteousness; he will govern the peoples with justice.

9

The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.

10

Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.

11

Sing praises to the LORD, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done.

12

For he who avenges blood remembers; he does not ignore the cry of the afflicted.

13

O LORD, see how my enemies persecute me! Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death,

14

that I may declare your praises in the gates of the Daughter of Zion and there rejoice in your salvation.

15

The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden.

16

The LORD is known by his justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands. Higgaion. ^[2] Selah

17

The wicked return to the grave, ^[3] all the nations that forget God.

18

But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish.

19

Arise, O LORD, let not man triumph; let the nations be judged in your presence.

20

Strike them with terror, O LORD; let the nations know they are but men. Selah

Today's bible teaching: For the sake of the house of the LORD our God, I will seek your prosperity

 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 praises: O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

 Psalm 8

1

Psalm 8 For the director of music. According to gittith. ^[1] A psalm of David.

1

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.

2

From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise ^[2] because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.

3

When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

4

what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

5

You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings ^[3] and crowned him with glory and honor.

6

You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet:

7

all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field,

8

the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.

9

O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Today's bible teaching: Every morning I will put to silence all the wicked in the land; I will cut off every evildoer from the city of the LORD.

 Psalm 101

1

Psalm 101 Of David. A psalm.

1

I will sing of your love and justice; to you, O LORD, I will sing praise.

2

I will be careful to lead a blameless life-- when will you come to me? I will walk in my house with blameless heart.

3

I will set before my eyes no vile thing. The deeds of faithless men I hate; they will not cling to me.

4

Men of perverse heart shall be far from me; I will have nothing to do with evil.

5

Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, him will I put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, him will I not endure.

6

My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he whose walk is blameless will minister to me.

7

No one who practices deceit will dwell in my house; no one who speaks falsely will stand in my presence.

8

Every morning I will put to silence all the wicked in the land; I will cut off every evildoer from the city of the LORD.

Today's bible teaching: Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!

 Psalm 32

1

Psalm 32 Of David. A maskil. ^[1]

1

Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

2

Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.

3

When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.

4

For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Selah

5

Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD"-- and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah

6

Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him.

7

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

8

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you.

9

Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.

10

Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him.

11

Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Today's prayer: Save me, O God, by your name; vindicate me by your might.

 Psalm 54

1

Psalm 54 For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A maskil ^[1] of David. When the Ziphites had gone to Saul and said, "Is not David hiding among us?"

1

Save me, O God, by your name; vindicate me by your might.

2

Hear my prayer, O God; listen to the words of my mouth.

3

Strangers are attacking me; ruthless men seek my life-- men without regard for God. Selah

4

Surely God is my help; the Lord is the one who sustains me.

5

Let evil recoil on those who slander me; in your faithfulness destroy them.

6

I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, O LORD, for it is good.

7

For he has delivered me from all my troubles, and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.

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 bible teaching: How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!q

 Psalm 133

1

Psalm 133 A song of ascents. Of David.

1

How good and pleasant it is when brothers 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 upon the collar of his robes.

3

It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the LORD bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.

Today's prayer: Rise up, O LORD, confront them, bring them down; rescue me from the wicked by your sword.

 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 prayer: Hasten, O God, to save me; O LORD, come quickly to help me.

 

Psalm 70

1

Psalm 70 For the director of music. Of David. A petition.

1

Hasten, O God, to save me; O LORD, come quickly to help me.

2

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

3

May those who say to me, "Aha! Aha!" turn back because of their shame.

4

But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you; may those who love your salvation always say, "Let God be exalted!"

5

Yet I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay.

Today's praises: Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy

 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.