Psalm 26

I Will Bless the Lord

Of David.

1  Vindicate me, O Lord,
for I have walked in my integrity,
and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.
2  Prove me, O Lord, and try me;
test my heart and my mind.t
3  For your steadfast love is before my eyes,
and I walk in your faithfulness.

4  I do not sit with men of falsehood,
nor do I consort with hypocrites.
5  I hate the assembly of evildoers,
and I will not sit with the wicked.

6  I wash my hands in innocence
and go around your altar, O Lord,
7  proclaiming thanksgiving aloud,
and telling all your wondrous deeds.

8  O Lord, I love the habitation of your house
and the place where your glory dwells.
9  Do not sweep my soul away with sinners,
nor my life with bloodthirsty men,
10  in whose hands are evil devices,
and whose right hands are full of bribes.

11  But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity;
redeem me, and be gracious to me.
12  My foot stands on level ground;
in the great assembly I will bless the Lord.

Psalm 27

The Lord Is My Light and My Salvation

Of David.

1  The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the strongholdt of my life;
of whom shall I be afraid?

2  When evildoers assail me
to eat up my flesh,
my adversaries and foes,
it is they who stumble and fall.

3  Though an army encamp against me,
my heart shall not fear;
though war arise against me,
yett I will be confident.

4  One thing have I asked of the Lord,
that will I seek after:
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 inquiret in his temple.

5  For he will hide me in his shelter
in the day of trouble;
he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;
he will lift me high upon a rock.

6  And now my head shall be lifted up
above my enemies all around me,
and I will offer in his tent
sacrifices with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

7  Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;
be gracious to me and answer me!
8  You have said, "Seekt my face."
My heart says to you,
"Your face, Lord, do I seek."t
9  Hide not your face from me.
Turn not your servant away in anger,
O you who have been my help.
Cast me not off; forsake me not,
O God of my salvation!
10  For my father and my mother have forsaken me,
but the Lord will take me in.

11  Teach me your way, O Lord,
and lead me on a level path
because of my enemies.
12  Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;
for false witnesses have risen against me,
and they breathe out violence.

13  I believet that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living!
14  Wait for the Lord;
be strong, and let your heart take courage;
wait for the Lord!

Psalm 28

The Lord Is My Strength and My Shield

Of David.

1  To you, O Lord, I call;
my rock, be not deaf to me,
lest, if you be silent to me,
I become like those who go down to the pit.
2  Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy,
when I cry to you for help,
when I lift up my hands
toward your most holy sanctuary.t

3  Do not drag me off with the wicked,
with the workers of evil,
who speak peace with their neighbors
while evil is in their hearts.
4  Give to them according to their work
and according to the evil of their deeds;
give to them according to the work of their hands;
render them their due reward.
5  Because they do not regard the works of the Lord
or the work of his hands,
he will tear them down and build them up no more.

6  Blessed be the Lord!
For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.
7  The Lord is my strength and my shield;
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;
my heart exults,
and with my song I give thanks to him.

8  The Lord is the strength of his people;t
he is the saving refuge of his anointed.
9  Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!
Be their shepherd and carry them forever.