Psalm 26
Lord, defend me. I have lived an innocent life. I trusted the Lord and never doubted. Lord, try me and test me. Look closely into my heart and mind. I see your love. I live by your truth. I do not spend time with liars. I do not make friends with people who hide their sin. I hate the company of evil people. I won't sit with the wicked. I wash my hands to show I am innocent. I come to your altar, Lord. I raise my voice in praise. I tell of all the miracles you have done. Lord, I love the Temple where you live. It is where your greatness is. Do not kill me with those sinners. Do not take my life with those murderers. Evil is in their hands. They do wrong for money. But I have lived an innocent life. So save me and be kind to me. I stand in a safe place. Lord, I praise you in the great meeting.
Psalm 27
The Lord is my light and the one who saves me. I fear no one. The Lord protects my life. I am afraid of no one. Evil people may try to destroy my body. My enemies and those who hate me attack me. But they are overwhelmed and defeated. If an army surrounds me, I will not be afraid. If war breaks out, I will trust the Lord. I ask only one thing from the Lord. This is what I want: Let me live in the Lord's house all my life. Let me see the Lord's beauty. Let me look around in his Temple. During danger he will keep me safe in his shelter. He will hide me in his Holy Tent. Or he will keep me safe on a high mountain. My head is higher than my enemies around me. I will offer joyful sacrifices in his Holy Tent. I will sing and praise the Lord. Lord, hear me when I call. Be kind and answer me. My heart said of you, "Go, worship him." So I come to worship you, Lord. Do not turn your servant away in anger. You have helped me. Do not push me away or leave me alone. God, my Savior. If my fathe and mother leave me, the Lord will take me in. Lord, teach me your ways. Guide me to do what is right because Ihave enemies. Do not let my enemies defeat me. They tell lies about me. They say they will hurt me. I truly believe I will live to see the Lord's goodness. Wait for the Lord's help. Be strong and brave and wait for the Lord's help.
Psalm 28
Lord, my Rock. I call out to you for help. Do not deaf to me. If you are silent, I will be like those in the grave. Hear the sound of my prayer, when I cry out to you for help. I raise my hands toward your Most Holy Place. Don't drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil. They say, "Peace" to their neighbors. But evil is in their hearts. Pay them back for waht they have done. They have done evil. Pay them back for what they have done. Give the m their reward. They don't understand what the Lord has done or what he has made. So he will knock them down and not lift them up. Praise the Lord. He heard my prayer for help. The Lord is my strength and shield. I trust him, and he helps me. I am very happy. And I praise him with my song. The Lord is powerful. He gives power and victory to his chosen one. Save your people. Bless those who are your own. Be their shepherd and carry them forever.
Psalm 29
Praise the Lord, you angels. Praise the Lord's glory and power. Praise the Lord for the glory of his name. Worship the Lord because he is holy. The Lord's voice is heard over the sea. The glorious God thunders. The Lord thunders over the great ocean. The Lord's voice is powerful. The Lord's voice is majestic. The Lord's voice breaks the trees. The Lord breaks the cedars of Lebanon. He makes the land of Lebanon dance like a calf. He makes Mount Hermon jump like a baby bull. The Lord's voice shakes the desert. The Lord shakes the Desert of Kadesh. The Lord's voice shakes the oaks. The leaves fall off the trees. In his Temple everyone says, "Glory to God!" The Lord controls the flood. The Lord will be King forever. The Lord gives strength to his people. The Lord blesses his people with peace.
Psalm 30
I will praise you, Lord, because you rescued me. You did not let my enemies laugh at me. Lord, my God, I prayed to you. And you healed me. You lifted me out of the grave. You spared me from going down where the dead are. Sing praises to the Lord, you who belong to him. Praise his holy name. His anger lasts only a moment. But his kindness lasts for a lifetime. Crying may last for a night. But joy comes in the morning. When I felt safe, I said, "I will never fail." Lord, in your kindness you made my mountain safe. But when you turned away, I was frightened. I called to you, Lord. I asked you to have mercy on me. I said, "What good will it do if I die or if I go down to the grave? Dust cannot praise you. It cannot speak about your truth. Lord, hear me and be merciful to me. Lord, help me." You changed my sorrow into dancing. You took away my rough cloth, which shows sadness, and clothed me in happiness. I will sing to you and not be silent. Lord, my God, I will praise you forever.
