Psalm 11-15
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
Psalm 11
Song of Trust in God
To the leader. Of David.
1 In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to me,
“Flee like a bird to the mountains,[a](A)
2 for look, the wicked bend the bow,
they have fitted their arrow to the string,
to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart.(B)
3 If the foundations are destroyed,
what can the righteous do?”(C)
4 The Lord is in his holy temple;
the Lord’s throne is in heaven.
His eyes behold; his gaze examines humankind.(D)
5 The Lord tests the righteous and the wicked,
and his soul hates the lover of violence.(E)
6 On the wicked he will rain coals of fire and sulfur;
a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.(F)
7 For the Lord is righteous;
he loves righteous deeds;
the upright shall behold his face.(G)
Psalm 12
Plea for Help in Evil Times
To the leader: according to The Sheminith. A Psalm of David.
1 Help, O Lord, for there is no longer anyone who is godly;
the faithful have disappeared from humankind.(H)
2 They utter lies to each other;
with flattering lips and a deceitful heart they speak.(I)
3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips,
the tongue that makes great boasts,(J)
4 those who say, “With our tongues we will prevail;
our lips are our own—who is our master?”
5 “Because the poor are despoiled, because the needy groan,
I will now rise up,” says the Lord;
“I will place them in the safety for which they long.”(K)
6 The promises of the Lord are promises that are pure,
silver refined in a furnace on the ground,
purified seven times.(L)
7 You, O Lord, will protect us;
you will guard us from this generation forever.(M)
8 On every side the wicked prowl,
as vileness is exalted among humankind.(N)
Psalm 13
Prayer for Deliverance from Enemies
To the leader. A Psalm of David.
1 How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever?
How long will you hide your face from me?(O)
2 How long must I bear pain[b] in my soul
and have sorrow in my heart all day long?
How long shall my enemy be exalted over me?(P)
3 Consider and answer me, O Lord my God!
Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep the sleep of death,(Q)
4 and my enemy will say, “I have prevailed”;
my foes will rejoice because I am shaken.(R)
5 But I trusted in your steadfast love;
my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.(S)
6 I will sing to the Lord
because he has dealt bountifully with me.(T)
Psalm 14
Denunciation of Godlessness
To the leader. Of David.
1 Fools say in their hearts, “There is no God.”
They are corrupt; they do abominable deeds;
there is no one who does good.(U)
2 The Lord looks down from heaven on humankind
to see if there are any who are wise,
who seek after God.(V)
3 They have all gone astray; they are all alike perverse;
there is no one who does good,
no, not one.(W)
4 Have they no knowledge, all the evildoers
who eat up my people as they eat bread
and do not call upon the Lord?(X)
5 There they shall be in great terror,
for God is with the company of the righteous.(Y)
6 You would confound the plans of the poor,
but the Lord is their refuge.(Z)
7 O that deliverance for Israel would come from Zion!
When the Lord restores the fortunes of his people,
Jacob will rejoice; Israel will be glad.(AA)
Psalm 15
Who Shall Abide in God’s Sanctuary?
A Psalm of David.
1 O Lord, who may abide in your tent?
Who may dwell on your holy hill?(AB)
2 Those who walk blamelessly and do what is right
and speak the truth from their heart;(AC)
3 who do not slander with their tongue
and do no evil to their friends
nor heap shame upon their neighbors;(AD)
4 in whose eyes the wicked are despised
but who honor those who fear the Lord;
who stand by their oath even to their hurt;(AE)
5 who do not lend money at interest
and do not take a bribe against the innocent.
Those who do these things shall never be moved.(AF)
New Revised Standard Version, Updated Edition. Copyright © 2021 National Council of Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.