Psalm 148 1 Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights! 2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host! 3 Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars! 4 Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! 5 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created. 6 He established them for ever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed. 7 Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, 8 fire [...]

Psalm 84 (NIV) 1 How lovely is your dwelling place,     Lord Almighty! 2 My soul yearns, even faints,     for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out     for the living God. 3 Even the sparrow has found a home,     and the swallow a nest for herself,     where she may have her young— a place near your altar,     Lord Almighty, my King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house;     they are ever praising you. 5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,     whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. 6 As [...]

Psalm 122 Song of Praise and Prayer for Jerusalem A Song of Ascents. Of David. 1 I was glad when they said to me,     “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” 2 Our feet are standing     within your gates, O Jerusalem. 3 Jerusalem—built as a city     that is bound firmly together. 4 To it the tribes go up,     the tribes of the Lord, as was decreed for Israel,     to give thanks to the name of the Lord. 5 For there the thrones for judgment were set up,     the thrones of the house of David. 6 Pray for [...]

Psalm 43 (NRSV) Prayer to God in Time of Trouble 1 Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause     against an ungodly people; from those who are deceitful and unjust     deliver me! 2 For you are the God in whom I take refuge;     why have you cast me off? Why must I walk about mournfully     because of the oppression of the enemy? 3 O send out your light and your truth;     let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill     and to your dwelling. 4 Then I will go to the altar of God,     to God [...]

Psalm 62:5-8 (NRSV) 5 For God alone my soul waits in silence,     for my hope is from him. 6 He alone is my rock and my salvation,     my fortress; I shall not be shaken. 7 On God rests my deliverance and my honor;     my mighty rock, my refuge is in God. 8 Trust in him at all times, O people;     pour out your heart before him;     God is a refuge for us. Selah Reflection: Several years ago, I went on a silent retreat. For those of you who know [...]

Psalm 69 To the leader: according to Lilies. Of David. 1 Save me, O God,     for the waters have come up to my neck. 2 I sink in deep mire,     where there is no foothold; I have come into deep waters,     and the flood sweeps over me. 3 I am weary with my crying;     my throat is parched. My eyes grow dim     with waiting for my God. 4 More in number than the hairs of my head     are those who hate me without cause; many are those who would destroy me,     my enemies who accuse me falsely. What I [...]

Psalm 15 NRSV 1 O Lord, who may abide in your tent?     Who may dwell on your holy hill? 2  Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right,     and speak the truth from their heart; 3 who do not slander with their tongue,     and do no evil to their friends,     nor take up a reproach against their neighbors; 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; 5 who do not lend money at interest,     and do not take a bribe against [...]

Scripture: Psalm 37:1-8 (NIV) 1 Do not fret because of those who are evil     or be envious of those who do wrong; 2 for like the grass they will soon wither,     like green plants they will soon die away. 3 Trust in the Lord and do good;     dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture. 4 Take delight in the Lord,     and he will give you the desires of your heart. 5 Commit your way to the Lord;     trust in him and he will do this: 6 He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn,     your vindication [...]