Psalms 15–17

1Yahweh, who shall dwell in your sanctuary? Who shall live on your holy hill?

2He who walks blamelessly and does what is right, and speaks truth in his heart;

3he who doesn’t slander with his tongue, nor does evil to his friend, nor casts slurs against his fellow man;

4in whose eyes a vile man is despised, but who honors those who fear Yahweh; he who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and doesn’t change;

5he who doesn’t lend out his money for usury, nor take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be shaken.

1Preserve me, God, for I take refuge in you.

2My soul, you have said to Yahweh, “You are my Lord. Apart from you I have no good thing.”

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

4Their sorrows shall be multiplied who give gifts to another god. Their drink offerings of blood I will not offer, nor take their names on my lips.

5Yahweh assigned my portion and my cup. You made my lot secure.

6The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places. Yes, I have a good inheritance.

7I will bless Yahweh, who has given me counsel. Yes, my heart instructs me in the night seasons.

8I have set Yahweh always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.

9Therefore my heart is glad, and my tongue rejoices. My body shall also dwell in safety.

10For you will not leave my soul in Sheol, neither will you allow your holy one to see corruption.

11You will show me the path of life. In your presence is fullness of joy. In your right hand there are pleasures forever more.

1Hear, Yahweh, my righteous plea. Give ear to my prayer that doesn’t go out of deceitful lips.

2Let my sentence come out of your presence. Let your eyes look on equity.

3You have proved my heart. You have visited me in the night. You have tried me, and found nothing. I have resolved that my mouth shall not disobey.

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

5My steps have held fast to your paths. My feet have not slipped.

6I have called on you, for you will answer me, God. Turn your ear to me. Hear my speech.

7Show your marvelous loving kindness, you who save those who take refuge by your right hand from their enemies.

8Keep me as the apple of your eye. Hide me under the shadow of your wings,

9from the wicked who oppress me, my deadly enemies, who surround me.

10They close up their callous hearts. With their mouth they speak proudly.

11They have now surrounded us in our steps. They set their eyes to cast us down to the earth.

12He is like a lion that is greedy of his prey, as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.

13Arise, Yahweh, confront him. Cast him down. Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword,

14from men by your hand, Yahweh, from men of the world, whose portion is in this life. You fill the belly of your cherished ones. Your sons have plenty, and they store up wealth for their children.

15As for me, I shall see your face in righteousness. I shall be satisfied, when I awake, with seeing your form.