Deliver Me, O Lord

Psalm 120 A Song of Ascents.

1) In my distress I called to the Lord,

and he answered me.

2) Deliver me, O Lord,

from lying lips,

from a deceitful tongue.

3) What shall be given to you,

and what more shall be done to you,

you deceitful tongue?

4) A warrior’s sharp arrows,

with glowing coals of the broom tree!

5) Woe to me, that I sojourn in Meshech,

that I dwell among the tents of Kedar!

6) Too long have I had my dwelling

among those who hate peace.

7) I am for peace,

but when I speak, they are for war!

Great Is the Lord

Psalm 35 Of David.

1) Contend, O Lord, with those who contend with me;

fight against those who fight against me!

2) Take hold of shield and buckler

and rise for my help!

3) Draw the spear and javelin

against my pursuers!

Say to my soul,

“I am your salvation!”

4) Let them be put to shame and dishonor

who seek after my life!

Let them be turned back and disappointed

who devise evil against me!

5) Let them be like chaff before the wind,

with the angel of the Lord driving them away!

6) Let their way be dark and slippery,

with the angel of the Lord pursuing them!

7) For without cause they hid their net for me;

without cause they dug a pit for my life.

8) Let destruction come upon him when he does not know it!

And let the net that he hid ensnare him;

let him fall into it—to his destruction!

9) Then my soul will rejoice in the Lord,

exulting in his salvation.

10) All my bones shall say,

“O Lord, who is like you,

delivering the poor

from him who is too strong for him,

the poor and needy from him who robs him?”

11) Malicious witnesses rise up;

they ask me of things that I do not know.

12) They repay me evil for good;

my soul is bereft.

13) But I, when they were sick—

I wore sackcloth;

I afflicted myself with fasting;

I prayed with head bowed on my chest.

14) I went about as though I grieved for my friend or my brother;

as one who laments his mother,

I bowed down in mourning.

15) But at my stumbling they rejoiced and gathered;

they gathered together against me;

wretches whom I did not know

tore at me without ceasing;

16) like profane mockers at a feast,

they gnash at me with their teeth.

17) How long, O Lord, will you look on?

Rescue me from their destruction,

my precious life from the lions!

18) I will thank you in the great congregation;

in the mighty throng I will praise you.

19) Let not those rejoice over me

who are wrongfully my foes,

and let not those wink the eye

who hate me without cause.

20) For they do not speak peace,

but against those who are quiet in the land

they devise words of deceit.

21) They open wide their mouths against me;

they say, “Aha, Aha!

Our eyes have seen it!”

22) You have seen, O Lord; be not silent!

O Lord, be not far from me!

23) Awake and rouse yourself for my vindication,

for my cause, my God and my Lord!

24) Vindicate me, O Lord, my God,

according to your righteousness,

and let them not rejoice over me!

25) Let them not say in their hearts,

“Aha, our heart’s desire!”

Let them not say, “We have swallowed him up.”

26) Let them be put to shame and disappointed altogether

who rejoice at my calamity!

Let them be clothed with shame and dishonor

who magnify themselves against me!

27) Let those who delight in my righteousness

shout for joy and be glad

and say evermore,

“Great is the Lord,

who delights in the welfare of his servant!”

28) Then my tongue shall tell of your righteousness

and of your praise all the day long

Future Glory

Romans 8:18) For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. 19) For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. 20) For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope 21) that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 22) For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 23) And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24) For in this hope we were saved. Now hope that is seen is not hope. For who hopes for what he sees? 25) But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience. 26) Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. 27) And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. 28) And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. 29) For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30) And those whom he predestined he also called, and those whom he called he also justified, and those whom he justified he also glorified.

The Truth Will Set You Free

John 8:31) So Jesus said to the Jews who had believed him, "If you abide in my word, you are truly my disciples, 32) and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." 33) They answered him, "We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it that you say, ‘You will become free’?" 34) Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35) The slave does not remain in the house forever; the son remains forever. 36) So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. 37) I know that you are offspring of Abraham; yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. 38) I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father."

The Death of John the Baptist

Mark 6:14)   King Herod heard of it, for Jesus' name had become known. Some said, "John the Baptist has been raised from the dead. That is why these miraculous powers are at work in him." 15)  But others said, "He is Elijah." And others said, "He is a prophet, like one of the prophets of old." 16)  But when Herod heard of it, he said, "John, whom I beheaded, has been raised." 17)  For it was Herod who had sent and seized John and bound him in prison for the sake of Herodias, his brother Philip's wife, because he had married her. 18)  For John had been saying to Herod, "It is not lawful for you to have your brother's wife." 19)  And Herodias had a grudge against him and wanted to put him to death. But she could not, 20)  for Herod feared John, knowing that he was a righteous and holy man, and he kept him safe. When he heard him, he was greatly perplexed, and yet he heard him gladly. 21)  But an opportunity came when Herod on his birthday gave a banquet for his nobles and military commanders and the leading men of Galilee. 22)  For when Herodias's daughter came in and danced, she pleased Herod and his guests. And the king said to the girl, "Ask me for whatever you wish, and I will give it to you." 23)  And he vowed to her, "Whatever you ask me, I will give you, up to half of my kingdom." 24)  And she went out and said to her mother, "For what should I ask?" And she said, "The head of John the Baptist." 25)  And she came in immediately with haste to the king and asked, saying, "I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter." 26)  And the king was exceedingly sorry, but because of his oaths and his guests he did not want to break his word to her. 27)  And immediately the king sent an executioner with orders to bring John's head. He went and beheaded him in the prison 28)  and brought his head on a platter and gave it to the girl, and the girl gave it to her mother. 29)  When his disciples heard of it, they came and took his body and laid it in a tomb.

I sought the LORD, and he answered me

Psalm 34:1)  Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away. I will bless the LORD at all times; his praise shall continually be in my mouth.

2)  My soul makes its boast in the LORD; let the humble hear and be glad.

3)  Oh, magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together!

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

5)  Those who look to him are radiant, and their faces shall never be ashamed.

6)  This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him and saved him out of all his troubles.

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

8)  Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

9)  Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!

10)  The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

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

12)  What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good?

13)  Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit.

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

15)  The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward 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)  When the righteous cry for help, the LORD hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.

18)  The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.

19)  Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.

20)  He keeps all his bones; not one of them is broken.

21)  Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.

22)  The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.

Ascribe to the Lord Glory

Psalm 29:1)  A Psalm of David. Ascribe to the LORD, O heavenly beings, ascribe to the LORD glory and strength.

2)  Ascribe to the LORD the glory due his name; worship the LORD in the splendor of holiness.

3)  The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders, the LORD, over many waters.

4)  The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty.

5)  The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD breaks the cedars of Lebanon.

6)  He makes Lebanon to skip like a calf, and Sirion like a young wild ox.

7)  The voice of the LORD flashes forth flames of fire.

8)  The voice of the LORD shakes the wilderness; the LORD shakes the wilderness of Kadesh.

9)  The voice of the LORD makes the deer give birth and strips the forests bare, and in his temple all cry, "Glory!"

10)  The LORD sits enthroned over the flood; the LORD sits enthroned as king forever.

11)  May the LORD give strength to his people! May the LORD bless his people with peace!

The Fall of Jericho

Joshua 6:1) Now Jericho was shut up inside and outside because of the people of Israel. None went out, and none came in. 2) And the Lord said to Joshua, "See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and mighty men of valor. 3) You shall march around the city, all the men of war going around the city once. Thus shall you do for six days. 4) Seven priests shall bear seven trumpets of irams’ horns before the ark. On the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. 5) And when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, when you hear the sound of the trumpet, then all the people shall shout with a great shout, and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people shall go up, everyone straight before him." 6) So Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them, "Take up the ark of the covenant and let seven priests bear seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord." 7) And he said to the people, "Go forward. March around the city and let the armed men pass on before the ark of the Lord." 8) And just as Joshua had commanded the people, the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the Lord went forward, blowing the trumpets, with the ark of the covenant of the Lord following them. 9) The armed men were walking before the priests who were blowing the trumpets, and the rear guard was walking after the ark, while the trumpets blew continually. 10) But Joshua commanded the people, "You shall not shout or make your voice heard, neither shall any word go out of your mouth, until the day I tell you to shout. Then you shall shout." 11) So he caused the ark of the Lord to circle the city, going about it once. And they came into the camp and spent the night in the camp. 12) Then Joshua rose early in the morning, and the priests took up the ark of the Lord.13) And the seven priests bearing the seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the Lord walked on, and they blew the trumpets continually. And the armed men were walking before them, and the rear guard was walking after the ark of the Lord, while the trumpets blew continually. 14) And the second day they marched around the city once, and returned into the camp. So they did for six days. 15) On the seventh day they rose early, at the dawn of day, and marched around the city in the same manner seven times. It was only on that day that they marched around the city seven times. 16) And at the seventh time, when the priests had blown the trumpets, Joshua said to the people, "Shout, for the Lord has given you the city. 17) And the city and all that is within it shall be devoted to the Lord for destruction. Only Rahab the prostitute and all who are with her in her house shall live, because she hid the messengers whom we sent. 18) But you, keep yourselves from the things devoted to destruction, lest when you have devoted them you take any of the devoted things and make the camp of Israel a thing for destruction and bring trouble upon it. 19) But all silver and gold, and every vessel of bronze and iron, are holy to the Lord; they shall go into the treasury of the Lord." 20) So the people shouted, and the trumpets were blown. As soon as the people heard the sound of the trumpet, the people shouted a great shout, and the wall fell down flat, so that the people went up into the city, every man straight before him, and they captured the city. 21) Then they devoted all in the city to destruction, both men and women, young and old, oxen, sheep, and donkeys, with the edge of the sword. 22) But to the two men who had spied out the land, Joshua said, "Go into the prostitute’s house and bring out from there the woman and all who belong to her, as you swore to her." 23) So the young men who had been spies went in and brought out Rahab and her father and mother and brothers and all who belonged to her. And they brought all her relatives and put them outside the camp of Israel. 24) And they burned the city with fire, and everything in it. Only the silver and gold, and the vessels of bronze and of iron, they put into the treasury of the house of the Lord. 25) But Rahab the prostitute and her father’s household and all who belonged to her, Joshua saved alive. And she has lived in Israel to this day, because she hid the messengers whom Joshua sent to spy out Jericho. 26) Joshua laid an oath on them at that time, saying, "Cursed before the Lord be the man who rises up and rebuilds this city, Jericho.

"At the cost of his firstborn shall he

lay its foundation,

and at the cost of his youngest son

shall he set up its gates."

27) So the Lord was with Joshua, and his fame was in all the land.

A Great Multitude from Every Nation

Revelations 7:9) After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10) and crying out with a loud voice, "Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!" 11) And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12) saying, "Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen." 13) Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, "Who are these, clothed in white robes, and from where have they come?" 14) I said to him, "Sir, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones coming out of the great tribulation. They have washed their robes and lmade them white in the blood of the Lamb.

15) "Therefore they are before the throne of God,

and serve him day and night in his temple;

and he who sits on the throne will shelter them with his presence.

16) They shall hunger no more, neither thirst anymore;

the sun shall not strike them,

nor any scorching heat.

17) For the Lamb in the midst of the throne will be their shepherd,

and he will guide them to springs of living water,

and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes."

Proverbs 29:11

The LORD Is My Strength and My Shield

Psalm 28:1)  Of David. 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.

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; he is the saving refuge of his anointed.

9)  Oh, save your people and bless your heritage! Be their shepherd and carry them forever.

Pray for All People

1 Timothy 2:1) First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2) for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3) This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4) who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5) For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6) who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7) For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. 8) I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 9) likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10) but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. 11) Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12) I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13) For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14) and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15) Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

Colossians 1:3) We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, 4) since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, 5) because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, 6) which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and increasing—as it also does among you, since the day you heard it and understood the grace of God in truth, 7) just as you learned it from Epaphras our beloved fellow servant. He is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf 8) and has made known to us your love in the Spirit. 9) And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you, asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10) so as to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to him, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God. 11) May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, 12) giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. 13) He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, 14) in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

The Righteousness of God Through Faith

Romans 3:21) But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law, although the Law and the Prophets bear witness to it— 22) the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe. For there is no distinction: 23) for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24) and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, 25) whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God’s righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins. 26) It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. 27) Then what becomes of our boasting? It is excluded. By what kind of law? By a law of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28) For we hold that one is justified by faith apart from works of the law. 29) Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles also? Yes, of Gentiles also, 30) since God is one—who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through faith. 31) Do we then overthrow the law by this faith? By no means! On the contrary, we uphold the law.

Paul Sails for Rome

Acts 27:1) And when it was decided that we should sail for Italy, they delivered Paul and some other prisoners to a centurion of the Augustan Cohort named Julius. 2) And embarking in a ship of Adramyttium, which was about to sail to the ports along the coast of Asia, we put to sea, accompanied by Aristarchus, a Macedonian from Thessalonica. 3) The next day we put in at Sidon. And Julius treated Paul kindly and gave him leave to go to his friends and be cared for. 4) and putting out to sea from there we sailed under the lee of Cyprus, because the winds were against us. 5) And when we had sailed across the open sea along the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia, we came to Myra in Lycia. 6) There the centurion found a ship of Alexandria sailing for Italy and put us on board. 7) We sailed slowly for a number of days and arrived with difficulty off Cnidus, and as the wind did not allow us to go farther, we sailed under the lee of Crete off Salmone. 8) Coasting along it with difficulty, we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea.
9) Since much time had passed, and the voyage was now dangerous because even the Fast was already over, Paul advised them, 10) saying, "Sirs, I perceive that the voyage will be with injury and much loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives." 11) But the centurion paid more attention to the pilot and to the owner of the ship than to what Paul said. 12) And because the harbor was not suitable to spend the winter in, the majority decided to put out to sea from there, on the chance that somehow they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete, facing both southwest and northwest, and spend the winter there.

The Storm at Sea

13) Now when the south wind blew gently, supposing that they had obtained their purpose, they weighed anchor and sailed along Crete, close to the shore. 14) But soon a tempestuous wind, called the northeaster, struck down from the land. 15) And when the ship was caught and could not face the wind, we gave way to it and were driven along. 16) Running under the lee of a small island called Cauda, we managed with difficulty to secure the ship’s boat. 17) After hoisting it up, they used supports to undergird the ship. Then, fearing that they would run aground on the Syrtis, they lowered the gear, and thus they were driven along. 18) Since we were violently storm-tossed, they began the next day to jettison the cargo. 19) And on the third day they threw the ship’s tackle overboard with their own hands. 20) When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days, and no small tempest lay on us, all hope of our being saved was at last abandoned.
21) Since they had been without food for a long time, Paul stood up among them and said, "Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete and incurred this injury and loss. 22) Yet now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. 23) For this very night there stood before me an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I worship, 24) and he said, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must stand before Caesar. And behold, God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ 25) So take heart, men, for I have faith in God that it will be exactly as I have been told. 26) But we must run aground on some island." 27) When the fourteenth night had come, as we were being driven across the Adriatic Sea, about midnight the sailors suspected that they were nearing land. 28) So they took a sounding and found twenty fathoms. A little farther on they took a sounding again and found fifteen fathoms. 29) And fearing that we might run on the rocks, they let down four anchors from the stern and prayed for day to come. 30) And as the sailors were seeking to escape from the ship, and had lowered the ship’s boat into the sea under pretense of laying out anchors from the bow, 31) Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved." 32) Then the soldiers cut away the ropes of the ship’s boat and let it go. 33) As day was about to dawn, Paul urged them all to take some food, saying, "Today is the fourteenth day that you have continued in suspense and without food, having taken nothing. 34) Therefore I urge you to take some food. For it will give you strength, for not a hair is to perish from the head of any of you." 35) And when he had said these things, he took bread, and giving thanks to God in the presence of all he broke it and began to eat. 36) Then they all were encouraged and ate some food themselves. 37) (We were in all 276 persons in the ship.) 38) And when they had eaten enough, they lightened the ship, throwing out the wheat into the sea.

The Shipwreck

39) Now when it was day, they did not recognize the land, but they noticed a bay with a beach, on which they planned if possible to run the ship ashore. 40) So they cast off the anchors and left them in the sea, at the same time loosening the ropes that tied the rudders. Then hoisting the foresail to the wind they made for the beach. 41) But striking a reef, they ran the vessel aground. The bow stuck and remained immovable, and the stern was being broken up by the surf. 42) The soldiers’ plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any should swim away and escape. 43) But the centurion, wishing to save Paul, kept them from carrying out their plan. He ordered those who could swim to jump overboard first and make for the land, 44) and the rest on planks or on pieces of the ship. And so it was that all were brought safely to land.

Your Word Is a Lamp to My Feet

Psalm 119:1)  Blessed are those whose way is blameless,

who walk in the law of the LORD!

2)  Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart,

3)  who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways!

4)  You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently.

5)  Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes!

6)  Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments.

7)  I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules.

8)  I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me!

9)  How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word.

10)  With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments!

11)  I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.

12)  Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes!

13)  With my lips I declare all the rules of your mouth.

14)  In the way of your testimonies I delight as much as in all riches.

15)  I will meditate on your precepts and fix my eyes on your ways.

16)  I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

17)  Deal bountifully with your servant, that I may live and keep your word.

18)  Open my eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.

19)  I am a sojourner on the earth; hide not your commandments from me!

20)  My soul is consumed with longing for your rules at all times.

21) You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones, who wander from your commandments.

22)  Take away from me scorn and contempt, for I have kept your testimonies.

23)  Even though princes sit plotting against me,

your servant will meditate on your statutes.

24)  Your testimonies are my delight; they are my counselors.

25)  My soul clings to the dust; give me life according to your word!

26)  When I told of my ways, you answered me; teach me your statutes!

27)  Make me understand the way of your precepts,

and I will meditate on your wondrous works.

28) My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!

29)  Put false ways far from me and graciously teach me your law!

30)  I have chosen the way of faithfulness; I set your rules before me.

31)  I cling to your testimonies, O LORD; let me not be put to shame!

32)  I will run in the way of your commandments when you enlarge my heart!

33)  Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end.

34)  Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart.

35)  Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it.

36)  Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain!

37)  Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways.

38)  Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared.

39)  Turn away the reproach that I dread, for your rules are good.

40)  Behold, I long for your precepts; in your righteousness give me life!

41)  Let your steadfast love come to me, O LORD, your salvation according to your promise;

42)  then shall I have an answer for him who taunts me, for I trust in your word.

43)  And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, for my hope is in your rules.

44)  I will keep your law continually, forever and ever,

45)  and I shall walk in a wide place, for I have sought your precepts.

46)  I will also speak of your testimonies before kings and shall not be put to shame,

47)  for I find my delight in your commandments, which I love.

48)  I will lift up my hands toward your commandments, which I love,

and I will meditate on your statutes.

49)  Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope.

50)  This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life.

51)  The insolent utterly deride me, but I do not turn away from your law.

52)  When I think of your rules from of old, I take comfort, O LORD.

53)  Hot indignation seizes me because of the wicked, who forsake your law.

54)  Your statutes have been my songs in the house of my sojourning.

55)  I remember your name in the night, O LORD, and keep your law.

56)  This blessing has fallen to me, that I have kept your precepts.

57)  The LORD is my portion; I promise to keep your words.

58)  I entreat your favor with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise.

59)  When I think on my ways, I turn my feet to your testimonies;

60)  I hasten and do not delay to keep your commandments.

61)  Though the cords of the wicked ensnare me, I do not forget your law.

62)  At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your righteous rules.

63)  I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts.

64)  The earth, O LORD, is full of your steadfast love; teach me your statutes!

65)  You have dealt well with your servant, O LORD, according to your word.

66)  Teach me good judgment and knowledge, for I believe in your commandments.

67)  Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep your word.

68)  You are good and do good; teach me your statutes.

69)  The insolent smear me with lies, but with my whole heart I keep your precepts;

70)  their heart is unfeeling like fat, but I delight in your law.

71)  It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes.

72)  The law of your mouth is better to me than thousands of gold and silver pieces.

73)  Your hands have made and fashioned me;

give me understanding that I may learn your commandments.

74)  Those who fear you shall see me and rejoice, because I have hoped in your word.

75)  I know, O LORD, that your rules are righteous,

and that in faithfulness you have afflicted me.

76)  Let your steadfast love comfort me according to your promise to your servant.

77)  Let your mercy come to me, that I may live; for your law is my delight.

78)  Let the insolent be put to shame, because they have wronged me with falsehood;

as for me, I will meditate on your precepts.

79)  Let those who fear you turn to me, that they may know your testimonies.

80)  May my heart be blameless in your statutes, that I may not be put to shame!

81)  My soul longs for your salvation; I hope in your word.

82)  My eyes long for your promise; I ask, "When will you comfort me?"

83)  For I have become like a wineskin in the smoke, yet I have not forgotten your statutes.

84)  How long must your servant endure? When will you judge those who persecute me?

85)  The insolent have dug pitfalls for me; they do not live according to your law.

86)  All your commandments are sure; they persecute me with falsehood; help me!

87)  They have almost made an end of me on earth, but I have not forsaken your precepts.

88)  In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.

89)  Forever, O LORD, your word is firmly fixed in the heavens.

90)  Your faithfulness endures to all generations;

you have established the earth, and it stands fast.

91)  By your appointment they stand this day, for all things are your servants.

92)  If your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction.

93)  I will never forget your precepts, for by them you have given me life.

94)  I am yours; save me, for I have sought your precepts.

95)  The wicked lie in wait to destroy me, but I consider your testimonies.

96)  I have seen a limit to all perfection, but your commandment is exceedingly broad.

97)  Oh how I love your law! It is my meditation all the day.

98)  Your commandment makes me wiser than my enemies, for it is ever with me.

99)  I have more understanding than all my teachers,

for your testimonies are my meditation.

100)  I understand more than the aged, for I keep your precepts.

101)  I hold back my feet from every evil way, in order to keep your word.

102)  I do not turn aside from your rules, for you have taught me.

103)  How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!

104)  Through your precepts I get understanding; therefore I hate every false way.

105)  Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.

106)  I have sworn an oath and confirmed it, to keep your righteous rules.

107)  I am severely afflicted; give me life, O LORD, according to your word!

108)  Accept my freewill offerings of praise, O LORD, and teach me your rules.

109)  I hold my life in my hand continually, but I do not forget your law.

110)  The wicked have laid a snare for me, but I do not stray from your precepts.

111)  Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart.

112)  I incline my heart to perform your statutes forever, to the end.

113)  I hate the double-minded, but I love your law.

114)  You are my hiding place and my shield; I hope in your word.

115)  Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God.

116)  Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live,

and let me not be put to shame in my hope!

117)  Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for your statutes continually!

118)  You spurn all who go astray from your statutes, for their cunning is in vain.

119)  All the wicked of the earth you discard like dross, therefore I love your testimonies.

120)  My flesh trembles for fear of you, and I am afraid of your judgments.

121)  I have done what is just and right; do not leave me to my oppressors.

122)  Give your servant a pledge of good; let not the insolent oppress me.

123)  My eyes long for your salvation and for the fulfillment of your righteous promise.

124)  Deal with your servant according to your steadfast love, and teach me your statutes.

125)  I am your servant; give me understanding, that I may know your testimonies!

126)  It is time for the LORD to act, for your law has been broken.

127)  Therefore I love your commandments above gold, above fine gold.

128)  Therefore I consider all your precepts to be right; I hate every false way.

129)  Your testimonies are wonderful; therefore my soul keeps them.

130)  The unfolding of your words gives light; it imparts understanding to the simple.

131)  I open my mouth and pant, because I long for your commandments.

132)  Turn to me and be gracious to me, as is your way with those who love your name.

133)  Keep steady my steps according to your promise,

and let no iniquity get dominion over me.

134)  Redeem me from man's oppression, that I may keep your precepts.

135)  Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes.

136)  My eyes shed streams of tears, because people do not keep your law.

137)  Righteous are you, O LORD, and right are your rules.

138)  You have appointed your testimonies in righteousness and in all faithfulness.

139)  My zeal consumes me, because my foes forget your words.

140)  Your promise is well tried, and your servant loves it.

141)  I am small and despised, yet I do not forget your precepts.

142)  Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your law is true.

143)  Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight.

144)  Your testimonies are righteous forever; give me understanding that I may live.

145)  With my whole heart I cry; answer me, O LORD! I will keep your statutes.

146)  I call to you; save me, that I may observe your testimonies.

147)  I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words.

148)  My eyes are awake before the watches of the night,

that I may meditate on your promise.

149)  Hear my voice according to your steadfast love;

O LORD, according to your justice give me life.

150)  They draw near who persecute me with evil purpose; they are far from your law.

151)  But you are near, O LORD, and all your commandments are true.

152)  Long have I known from your testimonies that you have founded them forever.

153)  Look on my affliction and deliver me, for I do not forget your law.

154)  Plead my cause and redeem me; give me life according to your promise!

155)  Salvation is far from the wicked, for they do not seek your statutes.

156)  Great is your mercy, O LORD; give me life according to your rules.

157)  Many are my persecutors and my adversaries,

but I do not swerve from your testimonies.

158)  I look at the faithless with disgust, because they do not keep your commands.

159)  Consider how I love your precepts! Give me life according to your steadfast love.

160)  The sum of your word is truth, and every one of your righteous rules endures forever.

161)  Princes persecute me without cause, but my heart stands in awe of your words.

162)  I rejoice at your word like one who finds great spoil.

163)  I hate and abhor falsehood, but I love your law.

164)  Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous rules.

165)  Great peace have those who love your law; nothing can make them stumble.

166)  I hope for your salvation, O LORD, and I do your commandments.

167)  My soul keeps your testimonies; I love them exceedingly.

168)  I keep your precepts and testimonies, for all my ways are before you.

169)  Let my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to your word!

170)  Let my plea come before you; deliver me according to your word.

171)  My lips will pour forth praise, for you teach me your statutes.

172)  My tongue will sing of your word, for all your commandments are right.

173)  Let your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts.

174)  I long for your salvation, O LORD, and your law is my delight.

175)  Let my soul live and praise you, and let your rules help me.

176)  I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek your servant,

for I do not forget your commandments.