Psalms 11

Trusting the Lord

[For the chief music-maker. Of David.]
1 In the Lord put I my faith; how will you say to my soul, Go in flight like a bird to the mountain?
2 See, the bows of the evil-doers are bent, they make ready their arrows on the cord, so that they may send them secretly against the upright in heart.
3 If the bases are broken down, what is the upright man to do?
4 The Lord is in his holy Temple, the Lord's seat is in heaven; his eyes are watching and testing the children of men.
5 The Lord puts the upright and the sinner to the test, but he has hate in his soul for the lover of violent acts.
6 On the evil-doer he will send down fire and flames, and a burning wind; with these will their cup be full.
7 For the Lord is upright; he is a lover of righteousness: the upright will see his face.

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Psalms 12

A Prayer for Help

[For the chief music-maker on the Sheminith. A Psalm. Of David.]
1 Send help, Lord, for mercy has come to an end; there is no more faith among the children of men.
2 Everyone says false words to his neighbour: their tongues are smooth in their talk, and their hearts are full of deceit.
3 The smooth lips and the tongue of pride will be cut off by the Lord.
4 They have said, With our tongues will we overcome; our lips are ours: who is lord over us?
5 Because of the crushing of the poor and the weeping of those in need, now will I come to his help, says the Lord; I will give him the salvation which he is desiring.
6 The words of the Lord are true words: like silver tested by fire and burned clean seven times.
7 You will keep them, O Lord, you will keep them safe from this generation for ever.
8 The sinners are walking on every side, and evil is honoured among the children of men.

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, Psalms 13

A Prayer for the Lord’s Help

[To the chief music-maker. A Psalm. Of David.]
1 Will you for ever put me out of your memory, O Lord? will your face for ever be turned away from me?
2 How long is my soul to be in doubt, with sorrow in my heart all the day? how long will he who is against me be given power over me?
3 Let my voice come before you, and give me an answer, O Lord my God; let your light be shining on me, so that the sleep of death may not overtake me;
4 And he who is against me may not say, I have overcome him; and those who are troubling me may not be glad when I am moved.
5 But I have had faith in your mercy; my heart will be glad in your salvation.
6 I will make a song to the Lord, because he has given me my reward.

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Psalms 14

No One Can Ignore the Lord

[To the chief music-maker. Of David.]
1The foolish man has said in his heart, God will not do anything. They are unclean, they have done evil works; there is not one who does good.
2 The Lord was looking down from heaven on the children of men, to see if there were any who had wisdom, searching after God.
3 They have all gone out of the way together; they are unclean, there is not one who does good, no, not one.
4 Have all the workers of evil no knowledge? they take my people for food as they would take bread; they make no prayer to the Lord.
5 Then were they in great fear: for God is in the generation of the upright.
6 You have put to shame the thoughts of the poor, but the Lord is his support.
7 May the salvation of Israel come out of Zion! when the fate of his people is changed by the Lord, Jacob will have joy and Israel will be glad.

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, Psalms 15

Who May Worship the Lord?

[A Psalm. Of David.]
1 Lord, who may have a resting-place in your tent, a living-place on your holy hill?
2 He who goes on his way uprightly, doing righteousness, and saying what is true in his heart;
3 Whose tongue is not false, who does no evil to his friend, and does not take away the good name of his neighbour;
4 Who gives honour to those who have the fear of the Lord, turning away from him who has not the Lord's approval. He who takes an oath against himself, and makes no change.
5 He who does not put out his money at interest, or for payment give false decisions against men who have done no wrong. He who does these things will never be moved.

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