Psalm 28

A David Psalm

1 Don't turn a deaf ear when I call you, God. If all I get from you is deafening silence, I'd be better off in the Black Hole.

2 I'm letting you know what I need, calling out for help And lifting my arms toward your inner sanctum.

3 Don't shove me into the same jail cell with those crooks, With those who are full-time employees of evil.4 They talk a good line of "peace," then moonlight for the Devil. Pay them back for what they've done, for how bad they've been. Pay them back for their long hours in the Devil's workshop; Then cap it with a huge bonus.

5 Because they have no idea how God works or what he is up to, God will smash them to smithereens and walk away from the ruins.

6 Blessed be God-he heard me praying.7 He proved he's on my side; I've thrown my lot in with him. Now I'm jumping for joy, and shouting and singing my thanks to him.

8 God is all strength for his people, ample refuge for his chosen leader;9 Save your people and bless your heritage. Care for them; carry them like a good shepherd.

Psalm 29

A David Psalm

1 Bravo, God, bravo! Gods and all angels shout, "Encore!"2 In awe before the glory, in awe before God's visible power. Stand at attention! Dress your best to honor him!

3 God thunders across the waters, Brilliant, his voice and his face, streaming brightness-God, across the flood waters.

4 God's thunder tympanic, God's thunder symphonic.

5 God's thunder smashes cedars, God topples the northern cedars.

6 The mountain ranges skip like spring colts, The high ridges jump like wild kid goats.

7 God's thunder spits fire.8 God thunders, the wilderness quakes; He makes the desert of Kadesh shake.

9 God's thunder sets the oak trees dancing A wild dance, whirling; the pelting rain strips their branches. We fall to our knees-we call out, "Glory!"

10 Above the floodwaters is God's throne from which his power flows, from which he rules the world.

11 God makes his people strong. God gives his people peace.

Psalm 30

A David Psalm

1 I give you all the credit, God-you got me out of that mess, you didn't let my foes gloat.

2 God, my God, I yelled for help and you put me together.3 God, you pulled me out of the grave, gave me another chance at life when I was down-and-out.

4 All you saints! Sing your hearts out to God! Thank him to his face!5 He gets angry once in a while, but across a lifetime there is only love. The nights of crying your eyes out give way to days of laughter.

6 When things were going great I crowed, "I've got it made.7 I'm God's favorite. He made me king of the mountain." Then you looked the other way and I fell to pieces.

8 I called out to you, God; I laid my case before you:9 "Can you sell me for a profit when I'm dead? auction me off at a cemetery yard sale? When I'm 'dust to dust' my songs and stories of you won't sell.10 So listen! and be kind! Help me out of this!"

11 You did it: you changed wild lament into whirling dance; You ripped off my black mourning band and decked me with wildflowers.12 I'm about to burst with song; I can't keep quiet about you. God, my God, I can't thank you enough.