Psalm 25

A David Psalm

1 My head is high, God, held high;2 I'm looking to you, God; No hangdog skulking for me.

3 I've thrown in my lot with you; You won't embarrass me, will you? Or let my enemies get the best of me? Don't embarrass any of us Who went out on a limb for you. It's the traitors who should be humiliated.

4 Show me how you work, God; School me in your ways.

5 Take me by the hand; Lead me down the path of truth. You are my Savior, aren't you?

6 Mark the milestones of your mercy and love, God; Rebuild the ancient landmarks!

7 Forget that I sowed wild oats; Mark me with your sign of love. Plan only the best for me, God!

8 God is fair and just; He corrects the misdirected, Sends them in the right direction.

9 He gives the rejects his hand, And leads them step-by-step.

10 From now on every road you travel Will take you to God. Follow the Covenant signs; Read the charted directions.

11 Keep up your reputation, God; Forgive my bad life; It's been a very bad life.

12 My question: What are God-worshipers like? Your answer: Arrows aimed at God's bull's-eye.

13 They settle down in a promising place; Their kids inherit a prosperous farm.

14 God-friendship is for God-worshipers; They are the ones he confides in.

15 If I keep my eyes on God, I won't trip over my own feet.

16 Look at me and help me! I'm all alone and in big trouble.

17 My heart and kidneys are fighting each other; Call a truce to this civil war.

18 Take a hard look at my life of hard labor, Then lift this ton of sin.

19 Do you see how many people Have it in for me? How viciously they hate me?

20 Keep watch over me and keep me out of trouble; Don't let me down when I run to you.

21 Use all your skill to put me together; I wait to see your finished product.

22 God, give your people a break From this run of bad luck.

Psalm 26

A David Psalm

1 Clear my name, God; I've kept an honest shop. I've thrown in my lot with you, God, and I'm not budging.

2 Examine me, God, from head to foot, order your battery of tests. Make sure I'm fit inside and out

3 So I never lose sight of your love, But keep in step with you, never missing a beat.

4 I don't hang out with tricksters, I don't pal around with thugs;5 I hate that pack of gangsters, I don't deal with double-dealers.

6 I scrub my hands with purest soap, then join hands with the others in the great circle, dancing around your altar, God,7 Singing God-songs at the top of my lungs, telling God-stories.

8 God, I love living with you; your house glows with your glory.9 When it's time for spring cleaning, don't sweep me out with the quacks and crooks,10 Men with bags of dirty tricks, women with purses stuffed with bribe-money.

11 You know I've been aboveboard with you; now be aboveboard with me.12 I'm on the level with you, God; I bless you every chance I get.

Psalm 27

A David Psalm

1 Light, space, zest-that's God! So, with him on my side I'm fearless, afraid of no one and nothing.

2 When vandal hordes ride down ready to eat me alive, Those bullies and toughs fall flat on their faces.

3 When besieged, I'm calm as a baby. When all hell breaks loose, I'm collected and cool.

4 I'm asking God for one thing, only one thing: To live with him in his house my whole life long. I'll contemplate his beauty; I'll study at his feet.

5 That's the only quiet, secure place in a noisy world, The perfect getaway, far from the buzz of traffic.

6 God holds me head and shoulders above all who try to pull me down. I'm headed for his place to offer anthems that will raise the roof! Already I'm singing God-songs; I'm making music to God.

7 Listen, God, I'm calling at the top of my lungs: "Be good to me! Answer me!"8 When my heart whispered, "Seek God," my whole being replied, "I'm seeking him!"

9 Don't hide from me now! You've always been right there for me; don't turn your back on me now. Don't throw me out, don't abandon me; you've always kept the door open.10 My father and mother walked out and left me, but God took me in.

11 Point me down your highway, God; direct me along a well-lighted street; show my enemies whose side you're on.12 Don't throw me to the dogs, those liars who are out to get me, filling the air with their threats.

13 I'm sure now I'll see God's goodness in the exuberant earth.14 Stay with God! Take heart. Don't quit. I'll say it again: Stay with God.