Psalms 15-17

Psalm 15

¹A Psalm. Of David. Lord, who may have a resting-place in your tent, a living-place on your holy hill?

²He who goes on his way uprightly, doing righteousness, and saying what is true in his heart;

³Whose tongue is not false, who does no evil to his friend, and does not take away the good name of his neighbour;

⁴Who 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.

⁵He 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.

Psalm 16

¹Michtam. Of David. Keep me safe, O God: for in you I have put my faith.

²O my soul, you have said to the Lord, You are my Lord: I have no good but you.

³As for the saints who are in the earth, they are the noble in whom is all my delight.

⁴Their sorrows will be increased who go after another god: I will not take drink offerings from their hands, or take their names on my lips.

⁵The Lord is my heritage and the wine of my cup; you are the supporter of my right.

⁶Fair are the places marked out for me; I have a noble heritage.

⁷I will give praise to the Lord who has been my guide; knowledge comes to me from my thoughts in the night.

⁸I have put the Lord before me at all times; because he is at my right hand, I will not be moved.

⁹Because of this my heart is glad, and my glory is full of joy: while my flesh takes its rest in hope.

¹⁰For you will not let my soul be prisoned in the underworld; you will not let your loved one see the place of death.

¹¹You will make clear to me the way of life; where you are joy is complete; in your right hand there are pleasures for ever and ever.

Psalm 17

¹A Prayer. Of David. Let my cause come to your ears, O Lord, give attention to my cry; give ear to my prayer which goes not out from false lips.

²Be my judge; for your eyes see what is right.

³You have put my heart to the test, searching me in the night; you have put me to the test and seen no evil purpose in me; I will keep my mouth from sin.

⁴As for the works of men, by the word of your lips I have kept myself from the ways of the violent.

⁵I have kept my feet in your ways, my steps have not been turned away.

⁶My cry has gone up to you, for you will give me an answer, O God: let your ear be turned to me, and give attention to my words.

⁷Make clear the wonder of your mercy, O saviour of those who put their faith in your right hand, from those who come out against them.

⁸Keep me as the light of your eyes, covering me with the shade of your wings,

⁹From the evil-doers who are violent to me, and from those who are round me, desiring my death.

¹⁰They are shut up in their fat: with their mouths they say words of pride.

¹¹They have made a circle round our steps: their eyes are fixed on us, forcing us down to the earth;

¹²Like a lion desiring its food, and like a young lion waiting in secret places.

¹³Up! Lord, come out against him, make him low, with your sword be my saviour from the evil-doer.

¹⁴With your hand, O Lord, from men, even men of the world, whose heritage is in this life, and whom you make full with your secret wealth: they are full of children; after their death their offspring take the rest of their goods.

¹⁵As for me, I will see your face in righteousness: when I am awake it will be joy enough for me to see your form.