Category: Psalms

For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time Nathan the prophet came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

1 Have mercy on me, O God,

because of your unfailing love.

Because of your great compassion,

blot out the stain of my sins.

2 Wash me clean from my guilt.

Purify me from my sin.

3 For I recognize my rebellion;

it haunts me day and night.

4 Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;

I have done what is evil in your sight.

You will be proved right in what you say,

and your judgment against me is just.

5 For I was born a sinner—

yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.

6 But you desire honesty from the womb,

teaching me wisdom even there.

7 Purify me from my sins,and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8 Oh, give me back my joy again;

you have broken me—

now let me rejoice.

9 Don’t keep looking at my sins.

Remove the stain of my guilt.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God.

Renew a loyal spirit within me.

11 Do not banish me from your presence,

and don’t take your Holy Spiritfrom me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

and make me willing to obey you.

13 Then I will teach your ways to rebels,

and they will return to you.

14 Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves;

then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness.

15 Unseal my lips, O Lord,

that my mouth may praise you.

16 You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.

You do not want a burnt offering.

17 The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.

You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.

18 Look with favor on Zion and help her;

rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit—

with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings.

Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/6/32k/PSA/51-42de1ff846ab3031875ebfe9ad333d04.mp3?version_id=116—

For the choir director: A psalm

of David, regarding the time Doeg the Edomite said to Saul, “David has gone to see Ahimelech.”

1 Why do you boast about your crimes, great warrior?

Don’t you realize God’s justice continues forever?

2 All day long you plot destruction.

Your tongue cuts like a sharp razor;

you’re an expert at telling lies.

3 You love evil more than good

and lies more than truth.

Interlude

4 You love to destroy others with your words,

you liar!

5 But God will strike you down once and for all.

He will pull you from your home

and uproot you from the land of the living.

Interlude

6 The righteous will see it and be amazed.

They will laugh and say,

7 “Look what happens to mighty warriors

who do not trust in God.

They trust their wealth instead

and grow more and more bold in their wickedness.”

8 But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God.

I will always trust in God’s unfailing love.

9 I will praise you forever, O God,

for what you have done.

I will trust in your good name

in the presence of your faithful people.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/6/32k/PSA/52-1489487c44345bb112620f9aa45a97fd.mp3?version_id=116—

For the choir director: A meditation; a psalm

of David.

1 Only fools say in their hearts,

“There is no God.”

They are corrupt, and their actions are evil;

not one of them does good!

2 God looks down from heaven

on the entire human race;

he looks to see if anyone is truly wise,

if anyone seeks God.

3 But no, all have turned away;

all have become corrupt.

No one does good,

not a single one!

4 Will those who do evil never learn?

They eat up my people like bread

and wouldn’t think of praying to God.

5 Terror will grip them,

terror like they have never known before.

God will scatter the bones of your enemies.

You will put them to shame, for God has rejected them.

6 Who will come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel?

When God restores his people,

Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/6/32k/PSA/53-4b22ca7e78291f6e368c6af74ea2e564.mp3?version_id=116—

For the choir director: A psalm

of David, regarding the time the Ziphites came and said to Saul, “We know where David is hiding.” To be accompanied by stringed instruments.

1 Come with great power, O God, and rescue me!

Defend me with your might.

2 Listen to my prayer, O God.

Pay attention to my plea.

3 For strangers are attacking me;

violent people are trying to kill me.

They care nothing for God.

Interlude

4 But God is my helper.

The Lord keeps me alive!

5 May the evil plans of my enemies be turned against them.

Do as you promised and put an end to them.

6 I will sacrifice a voluntary offering to you;

I will praise your name, OLord,

for it is good.

7 For you have rescued me from my troubles

and helped me to triumph over my enemies.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/6/32k/PSA/54-61483cd1374c1728a15e774e2e2f8fec.mp3?version_id=116—

For the choir director: A psalm

of David, to be accompanied by stringed instruments.

1 Listen to my prayer, O God.

Do not ignore my cry for help!

2 Please listen and answer me,

for I am overwhelmed by my troubles.

3 My enemies shout at me,

making loud and wicked threats.

They bring trouble on me

and angrily hunt me down.

4 My heart pounds in my chest.

The terror of death assaults me.

5 Fear and trembling overwhelm me,

and I can’t stop shaking.

6 Oh, that I had wings like a dove;

then I would fly away and rest!

7 I would fly far away

to the quiet of the wilderness.

Interlude

8 How quickly I would escape—

far from this wild storm of hatred.

9 Confuse them, Lord, and frustrate their plans,

for I see violence and conflict in the city.

10 Its walls are patrolled day and night against invaders,

but the real danger is wickedness within the city.

11 Everything is falling apart;

threats and cheating are rampant in the streets.

12 It is not an enemy who taunts me—

I could bear that.

It is not my foes who so arrogantly insult me—

I could have hidden from them.

13 Instead, it is you—my equal,

my companion and close friend.

14 What good fellowship we once enjoyed

as we walked together to the house of God.

15 Let death stalk my enemies;

let the graveswallow them alive,

for evil makes its home within them.

16 But I will call on God,

and theLordwill rescue me.

17 Morning, noon, and night

I cry out in my distress,

and theLordhears my voice.

18 He ransoms me and keeps me safe

from the battle waged against me,

though many still oppose me.

19 God, who has ruled forever,

will hear me and humble them.

Interlude

For my enemies refuse to change their ways;

they do not fear God.

20 As for my companion, he betrayed his friends;

he broke his promises.

21 His words are as smooth as butter,

but in his heart is war.

His words are as soothing as lotion,

but underneath are daggers!

22 Give your burdens to theLord,

and he will take care of you.

He will not permit the godly to slip and fall.

23 But you, O God, will send the wicked

down to the pit of destruction.

Murderers and liars will die young,

but I am trusting you to save me.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/6/32k/PSA/55-db5c55a9444d99882263463949543f9e.mp3?version_id=116—

For the choir director: A psalm

of David, regarding the time the Philistines seized him in Gath. To be sung to the tune “Dove on Distant Oaks.”

1 O God, have mercy on me,

for people are hounding me.

My foes attack me all day long.

2 I am constantly hounded by those who slander me,

and many are boldly attacking me.

3 But when I am afraid,

I will put my trust in you.

4 I praise God for what he has promised.

I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?

What can mere mortals do to me?

5 They are always twisting what I say;

they spend their days plotting to harm me.

6 They come together to spy on me—

watching my every step, eager to kill me.

7 Don’t let them get away with their wickedness;

in your anger, O God, bring them down.

8 You keep track of all my sorrows.

You have collected all my tears in your bottle.

You have recorded each one in your book.

9 My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help.

This I know: God is on my side!

10 I praise God for what he has promised;

yes, I praise theLordfor what he has promised.

11 I trust in God, so why should I be afraid?

What can mere mortals do to me?

12 I will fulfill my vows to you, O God,

and will offer a sacrifice of thanks for your help.

13 For you have rescued me from death;

you have kept my feet from slipping.

So now I can walk in your presence, O God,

in your life-giving light.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/6/32k/PSA/56-7ef97fdb2983cf58adba5edbd84c57bf.mp3?version_id=116—

For the choir director: A psalm

of David, regarding the time he fled from Saul and went into the cave. To be sung to the tune “Do Not Destroy!”

1 Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy!

I look to you for protection.

I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings

until the danger passes by.

2 I cry out to God Most High,

to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.

3 He will send help from heaven to rescue me,

disgracing those who hound me.

Interlude

My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness.

4 I am surrounded by fierce lions

who greedily devour human prey—

whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows,

and whose tongues cut like swords.

5 Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens!

May your glory shine over all the earth.

6 My enemies have set a trap for me.

I am weary from distress.

They have dug a deep pit in my path,

but they themselves have fallen into it.

Interlude

7 My heart is confident in you, O God;

my heart is confident.

No wonder I can sing your praises!

8 Wake up, my heart!

Wake up, O lyre and harp!

I will wake the dawn with my song.

9 I will thank you, Lord, among all the people.

I will sing your praises among the nations.

10 For your unfailing love is as high as the heavens.

Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds.

11 Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens.

May your glory shine over all the earth.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/6/32k/PSA/57-d77ebd4d239c4966f6f0cb451f538e1e.mp3?version_id=116—

For the choir director: A psalm

of David, to be sung to the tune “Do Not Destroy!”

1 Justice—do you rulersknow the meaning of the word?

Do you judge the people fairly?

2 No! You plot injustice in your hearts.

You spread violence throughout the land.

3 These wicked people are born sinners;

even from birth they have lied and gone their own way.

4 They spit venom like deadly snakes;

they are like cobras that refuse to listen,

5 ignoring the tunes of the snake charmers,

no matter how skillfully they play.

6 Break off their fangs, O God!

Smash the jaws of these lions, OLord!

7 May they disappear like water into thirsty ground.

Make their weapons useless in their hands.

8 May they be like snails that dissolve into slime,

like a stillborn child who will never see the sun.

9 God will sweep them away, both young and old,

faster than a pot heats over burning thorns.

10 The godly will rejoice when they see injustice avenged.

They will wash their feet in the blood of the wicked.

11 Then at last everyone will say,

“There truly is a reward for those who live for God;

surely there is a God who judges justly here on earth.”

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/6/32k/PSA/58-61b3052dcc9f53925c6cc8ca42d4676d.mp3?version_id=116—

For the choir director: A psalm

of David, regarding the time Saul sent soldiers to watch David’s house in order to kill him. To be sung to the tune “Do Not Destroy!”

1 Rescue me from my enemies, O God.

Protect me from those who have come to destroy me.

2 Rescue me from these criminals;

save me from these murderers.

3 They have set an ambush for me.

Fierce enemies are out there waiting,Lord,

though I have not sinned or offended them.

4 I have done nothing wrong,

yet they prepare to attack me.

Wake up! See what is happening and help me!

5 OLordGod of Heaven’s Armies, the God of Israel,

wake up and punish those hostile nations.

Show no mercy to wicked traitors.

Interlude

6 They come out at night,

snarling like vicious dogs

as they prowl the streets.

7 Listen to the filth that comes from their mouths;

their words cut like swords.

“After all, who can hear us?” they sneer.

8 ButLord, you laugh at them.

You scoff at all the hostile nations.

9 You are my strength; I wait for you to rescue me,

for you, O God, are my fortress.

10 In his unfailing love, my God will stand with me.

He will let me look down in triumph on all my enemies.

11 Don’t kill them, for my people soon forget such lessons;

stagger them with your power, and bring them to their knees,

O Lord our shield.

12 Because of the sinful things they say,

because of the evil that is on their lips,

let them be captured by their pride,

their curses, and their lies.

13 Destroy them in your anger!

Wipe them out completely!

Then the whole world will know

that God reigns in Israel.

Interlude

14 My enemies come out at night,

snarling like vicious dogs

as they prowl the streets.

15 They scavenge for food

but go to sleep unsatisfied.

16 But as for me, I will sing about your power.

Each morning I will sing with joy about your unfailing love.

For you have been my refuge,

a place of safety when I am in distress.

17 O my Strength, to you I sing praises,

for you, O God, are my refuge,

the God who shows me unfailing love.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/6/32k/PSA/59-55b36150c10bc880e12b4c6802940d35.mp3?version_id=116—

For the choir director: A psalm

of David useful for teaching, regarding the time David fought Aram-naharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab returned and killed 12,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. To be sung to the tune “Lily of the Testimony.”

1 You have rejected us, O God, and broken our defenses.

You have been angry with us; now restore us to your favor.

2 You have shaken our land and split it open.

Seal the cracks, for the land trembles.

3 You have been very hard on us,

making us drink wine that sent us reeling.

4 But you have raised a banner for those who fear you—

a rallying point in the face of attack.

Interlude

5 Now rescue your beloved people.

Answer and save us by your power.

6 God has promised this by his holiness:

“I will divide up Shechem with joy.

I will measure out the valley of Succoth.

7 Gilead is mine,

and Manasseh, too.

Ephraim, my helmet, will produce my warriors,

and Judah, my scepter, will produce my kings.

8 But Moab, my washbasin, will become my servant,

and I will wipe my feet on Edom

and shout in triumph over Philistia.”

9 Who will bring me into the fortified city?

Who will bring me victory over Edom?

10 Have you rejected us, O God?

Will you no longer march with our armies?

11 Oh, please help us against our enemies,

for all human help is useless.

12 With God’s help we will do mighty things,

for he will trample down our foes.

—https://api-cdn.youversionapi.com/audio-bible-youversionapi/6/32k/PSA/60-ec7a61983302650069171b297f34a5e7.mp3?version_id=116—