Selected Psalms

PSALM 22
The sufferings and hopes of the upright

My God, my God, why have you abandoned me? Why so far from my call for help, from my cries of anguish? My God, I call by day, but you do not answer; by night, but I have no relief.

Yet you are enthroned as the Holy One; you are the glory of Israel. In you our ancestors trusted; they trusted and you rescued them. To you they cried out and they escaped; in you they trusted and were not disappointed.

 3 But I am a worm, hardly human, scorned by everyone, despised by the people. All who see me mock me; they curl their lips and jeer; they shake their heads at me: “You relied on the LORD—let him deliver you; if he loves you, let him rescue you.”

Yet you drew me forth from the womb, made me safe at my mother’s breast. Upon you I was thrust from the womb; since birth you are my God. Do not stay far from me, for trouble is near, and there is no one to help.

 4 Many bulls surround me; fierce bulls of Bashan encircle me. They open their mouths against me, lions that rend and roar. Like water my life drains away; all my bones grow soft. My heart has become like wax, it melts away within me. 5 As dry as a potsherd is my throat; my tongue sticks to my palate; you lay me in the dust of death.

Many dogs surround me; a pack of evildoers closes in on me. So wasted are my hands and feet that I can count all my bones. They stare at me and gloat; they divide my garments among them; for my clothing they cast lots.

But you, LORD, do not stay far off; my strength, come quickly to help me. Deliver me from the sword, my forlorn life from the teeth of the dog. Save me from the lion’s mouth, my poor life from the horns of wild bulls.

6 Then I will proclaim your name to the assembly; in the community I will praise you: “You who fear the LORD, give praise! All descendants of Jacob, give honor; show reverence, all descendants of Israel!

7 For God has not spurned or disdained the misery of this poor wretch, Did not turn away from me, but heard me when I cried out.

I will offer praise in the great assembly; my vows I will fulfill before those who fear him. 8 The poor will eat their fill; those who seek the LORD will offer praise. May your hearts enjoy life forever!”

All the ends of the earth will worship and turn to the LORD; All the families of nations will bow low before you. For kingship belongs to the LORD, the ruler over the nations.

9 All who sleep in the earth will bow low before God; All who have gone down into the dust will kneel in homage. And I will live for the LORD; my descendants will serve you.

The generation to come will be told of the Lord, that they may proclaim to a people yet unborn the deliverance you have brought.

PSALM 51
A prayer of contrition

Have mercy on me, God, in your goodness; in your abundant compassion blot out my offense. Wash away all my guilt; from my sin cleanse me.

For I know my offense; my sin is always before me. Against you alone have I sinned; I have done such evil in your sight

That you are just in your sentence, blameless when you condemn. 2 True, I was born guilty, a sinner, even as my mother conceived me.

Still, you insist on sincerity of heart; in my inmost being teach me wisdom. 3 Cleanse me with hyssop, that I may be pure; wash me, make me whiter than snow.

Let me hear sounds of joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Turn away your face from my sins; blot out all my guilt.

A clean heart create for me, God; renew in me a steadfast spirit. Do not drive me from your presence, nor take from me your holy spirit.

Restore my joy in your salvation; sustain in me a willing spirit. I will teach the wicked your ways, that sinners may return to you.

Rescue me from death, God, my saving God, that my tongue may praise your healing power. Lord, open my lips; my mouth will proclaim your praise.

4 For you do not desire sacrifice; a burnt offering you would not accept. My sacrifice, God, is a broken spirit; God, do not spurn a broken, humbled heart.

5 Make Zion prosper in your good pleasure; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. Then you will be pleased with proper sacrifice, burnt offerings and holocausts; then bullocks will be offered on your altar.

PSALM 136
Litany of thanksgiving

Praise the LORD, who is so good; God’s love endures forever;
Praise the God of gods; God’s love endures forever;
Praise the Lord of lords; God’s love endures forever;
Who alone has done great wonders, God’s love endures forever;
Who skillfully made the heavens, God’s love endures forever;
Who spread the earth upon the waters, God’s love endures forever;
Who made the great lights, God’s love endures forever;
The sun to rule the day, God’s love endures forever;
The moon and stars to rule the night, God’s love endures forever;
Who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, God’s love endures forever;
And led Israel from their midst, God’s love endures forever;
With mighty hand and outstretched arm, God’s love endures forever;
Who split in two the Red Sea, God’s love endures forever;
And led Israel through, God’s love endures forever;
But swept Pharaoh and his army into the Red Sea, God’s love endures forever;
Who led the people through the desert, God’s love endures forever;
Who struck down great kings, God’s love endures forever;
Slew powerful kings, God’s love endures forever;
Sihon, king of the Amorites, God’s love endures forever;
Og, king of Bashan, God’s love endures forever;
And made their lands a heritage, God’s love endures forever;
A heritage for Israel, God’s servant, God’s love endures forever.
The LORD remembered us in our misery, God’s love endures forever;
Freed us from our foes, God’s love endures forever;
And gives food to all flesh, God’s love endures forever.
Praise the God of heaven, God’s love endures forever.