Today's praises: Praise the LORD. Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens

 Psalm 150

1

Psalm 150

1

Praise the LORD. ^[1] Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty heavens.

2

Praise him for his acts of power; praise him for his surpassing greatness.

3

Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre,

4

praise him with tambourine and dancing, praise him with the strings and flute,

5

praise him with the clash of cymbals, praise him with resounding cymbals.

6

Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD. 

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 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: 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: Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him; let all the upright in heart praise him

Psalm 64

1

Psalm 64 For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1

Hear me, O God, as I voice my complaint; protect my life from the threat of the enemy.

2

Hide me from the conspiracy of the wicked, from that noisy crowd of evildoers.

3

They sharpen their tongues like swords and aim their words like deadly arrows.

4

They shoot from ambush at the innocent man; they shoot at him suddenly, without fear.

5

They encourage each other in evil plans, they talk about hiding their snares; they say, "Who will see them ^[1] ?"

6

They plot injustice and say, "We have devised a perfect plan!" Surely the mind and heart of man are cunning.

7

But God will shoot them with arrows; suddenly they will be struck down.

8

He will turn their own tongues against them and bring them to ruin; all who see them will shake their heads in scorn.

9

All mankind will fear; they will proclaim the works of God and ponder what he has done.

10

Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him; let all the upright in heart praise him!

Today's prayer: May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.

Psalm 134

1

Psalm 134 A song of ascents.

1

Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD.

2

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD.

3

May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.

Today's praises: Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name

Psalm 103

1

Psalm 103 Of David.

1

Praise the LORD, O my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.

2

Praise the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits--

3

who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,

4

who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,

5

who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

6

The LORD works righteousness and justice for all the oppressed.

7

He made known his ways to Moses, his deeds to the people of Israel:

8

The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.

9

He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever;

10

he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.

11

For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him;

12

as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

13

As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;

14

for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust.

15

As for man, his days are like grass, he flourishes like a flower of the field;

16

the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more.

17

But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD's love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children's children--

18

with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.

19

The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all.

20

Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.

21

Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will.

22

Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD, O my soul.

Today's bible teaching: But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever

Psalm 52

1

Psalm 52 For the director of music. A maskil ^[1] of David. When Doeg the Edomite had gone to Saul and told him: "David has gone to the house of Ahimelech."

1

Why do you boast of evil, you mighty man? Why do you boast all day long, you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God?

2

Your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor, you who practice deceit.

3

You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth. Selah

4

You love every harmful word, O you deceitful tongue!

5

Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin: He will snatch you up and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah

6

The righteous will see and fear; they will laugh at him, saying,

7

"Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!"

8

But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever.

9

I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints.

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 prayer: 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: 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

Psalm 37

1

Psalm 37 Of David. ^[1]

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.

1. This psalm is an acrostic poem, the stanzas of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

Today's prayer: Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me

Psalm 27

1

Psalm 27 Of David.

1

The LORD is my light and my salvation-- whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life-- of whom shall I be afraid?

2

When evil men advance against me to devour my flesh, ^[1] when my enemies and my foes attack me, they will stumble and fall.

3

Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then will I be confident.

4

One thing I ask of the LORD, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to seek him in his temple.

5

For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock.

6

Then my head will be exalted above the enemies who surround me; at his tabernacle will I sacrifice with shouts of joy; I will sing and make music to the LORD.

7

Hear my voice when I call, O LORD; be merciful to me and answer me.

8

My heart says of you, "Seek his ^[2] face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek.

9

Do not hide your face from me, do not turn your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me, O God my Savior.

10

Though my father and mother forsake me, the LORD will receive me.

11

Teach me your way, O LORD; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors.

12

Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes, for false witnesses rise up against me, breathing out violence.

13

I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.

14

Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD.

Today's bible teaching: The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

Psalm 19

1

Psalm 19 For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

2

Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge.

3

There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. ^[1]

4

Their voice ^[2] goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun,

5

which is like a bridegroom coming forth from his pavilion, like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

6

It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat.

7

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

8

The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

9

The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous.

10

They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the comb.

11

By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward.

12

Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.

13

Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.

14

May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.

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

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.

Today's praises: Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together

Psalm 34

1

Psalm 34 Of David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he left. ^[1]

1

I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.

2

My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

3

Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.

4

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

5

Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

6

This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.

7

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.

8

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

9

Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.

10

The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

11

Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

12

Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,

13

keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.

14

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

15

The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry;

16

the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

17

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.

18

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

19

A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;

20

he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.

21

Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned.

22

The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.

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 praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints

Psalm 52

1

Psalm 52 For the director of music. A maskil ^[1] of David. When Doeg the Edomite had gone to Saul and told him: "David has gone to the house of Ahimelech."

1

Why do you boast of evil, you mighty man? Why do you boast all day long, you who are a disgrace in the eyes of God?

2

Your tongue plots destruction; it is like a sharpened razor, you who practice deceit.

3

You love evil rather than good, falsehood rather than speaking the truth. Selah

4

You love every harmful word, O you deceitful tongue!

5

Surely God will bring you down to everlasting ruin: He will snatch you up and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living. Selah

6

The righteous will see and fear; they will laugh at him, saying,

7

"Here now is the man who did not make God his stronghold but trusted in his great wealth and grew strong by destroying others!"

8

But I am like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God; I trust in God's unfailing love for ever and ever.

9

I will praise you forever for what you have done; in your name I will hope, for your name is good. I will praise you in the presence of your saints.

Today's bible teaching: Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.

Psalm 107

1

Psalm 107

1

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

2

Let the redeemed of the LORD say this-- those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,

3

those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south. ^[1]

4

Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle.

5

They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away.

6

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.

7

He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle.

8

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men,

9

for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

10

Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom, prisoners suffering in iron chains,

11

for they had rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High.

12

So he subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help.

13

Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.

14

He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains.

15

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men,

16

for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron.

17

Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.

18

They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death.

19

Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.

20

He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.

21

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.

22

Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.

23

Others went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters.

24

They saw the works of the LORD, his wonderful deeds in the deep.

25

For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves.

26

They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away.

27

They reeled and staggered like drunken men; they were at their wits' end.

28

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.

29

He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.

30

They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.

31

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.

32

Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders.

33

He turned rivers into a desert, flowing springs into thirsty ground,

34

and fruitful land into a salt waste, because of the wickedness of those who lived there.

35

He turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into flowing springs;

36

there he brought the hungry to live, and they founded a city where they could settle.

37

They sowed fields and planted vineyards that yielded a fruitful harvest;

38

he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased, and he did not let their herds diminish.

39

Then their numbers decreased, and they were humbled by oppression, calamity and sorrow;

40

he who pours contempt on nobles made them wander in a trackless waste.

41

But he lifted the needy out of their affliction and increased their families like flocks.

42

The upright see and rejoice, but all the wicked shut their mouths.

43

Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the LORD.

Today's prayer: Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies-- make straight your way before me

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: 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.