Psalm 26
1 Give judgement for me, O Lord,
for I have walked with integrity; ♦︎
I have trusted in the Lord and have not faltered.
2 Test me, O Lord, and try me; ♦︎
examine my heart and my mind.
3 For your love is before my eyes; ♦︎
I have walked in your truth.
4 I have not joined the company of the false, ♦︎
nor consorted with the deceitful.
5 I hate the gathering of evildoers ♦︎
and I will not sit down with the wicked.
6 I will wash my hands in innocence, O Lord, ♦︎
that I may go about your altar,
7 To make heard the voice of thanksgiving ♦︎
and tell of all your wonderful deeds.
8 Lord, I love the house of your habitation ♦︎
and the place where your glory abides.
9 Sweep me not away with sinners, ♦︎
nor my life with the bloodthirsty,
10 Whose hands are full of wicked schemes ♦︎
and their right hand full of bribes.
11 As for me, I will walk with integrity; ♦︎
redeem me, Lord, and be merciful to me.
12 My foot stands firm; ♦︎
in the great congregation I will bless the Lord.
Psalm 27
1 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
whom then shall I fear? ♦︎
The Lord is the strength of my life;
of whom then shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, even my enemies and my foes,
came upon me to eat up my flesh, ♦︎
they stumbled and fell.
3 Though a host encamp against me,
my heart shall not be afraid, ♦︎
and though there rise up war against me,
yet will I put my trust in him.
4 One thing have I asked of the Lord
and that alone I seek: ♦︎
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
5 To behold the fair beauty of the Lord ♦︎
and to seek his will in his temple.
6 For in the day of trouble
he shall hide me in his shelter; ♦︎
in the secret place of his dwelling shall he hide me
and set me high upon a rock.
7 And now shall he lift up my head ♦︎
above my enemies round about me;
8 Therefore will I offer in his dwelling an oblation
with great gladness; ♦︎
I will sing and make music to the Lord.
9 Hear my voice, O Lord, when I call; ♦︎
have mercy upon me and answer me.
10 My heart tells of your word, Seek my face. ♦︎
Your face, Lord, will I seek.
11 Hide not your face from me, ♦︎
nor cast your servant away in displeasure.
12 You have been my helper; ♦︎
leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
13 Though my father and my mother forsake me, ♦︎
the Lord will take me up.
14 Teach me your way, O Lord; ♦︎
lead me on a level path,
because of those who lie in wait for me.
15 Deliver me not into the will of my adversaries, ♦︎
for false witnesses have risen up against me,
and those who breathe out violence.
16 I believe that I shall see the goodness of the Lord ♦︎
in the land of the living.
17 Wait for the Lord;
be strong and he shall comfort your heart; ♦︎
wait patiently for the Lord.