The Lord examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion.

For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face.

Psalm 12

For the director of music. According to sheminith. A psalm of David.

Help, Lord, for no one is faithful anymore; those who are loyal have vanished from the human race.

May the Lord silence all flattering lips and every boastful tongue—

those who say, “By our tongues we will prevail; our own lips will defend us—who is lord over us?”

“Because the poor are plundered and the needy groan, I will now arise,” says the Lord. “I will protect them from those who malign them.”

And the words of the Lord are flawless, like silver purified in a crucible, like gold refined seven times.

You, Lord, will keep the needy safe and will protect us forever from the wicked,

Psalm 13

For the director of music. A psalm of David.

How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?

Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death,

I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me.

The Lord looks down from heaven on all mankind to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.

Do all these evildoers know nothing? They devour my people as though eating bread; they never call on the Lord.

You evildoers frustrate the plans of the poor, but the Lord is their refuge.

Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord restores his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!

Psalm 15

A psalm of David.

Lord, who may dwell in your sacred tent? Who may live on your holy mountain?

who despises a vile person but honors those who fear the Lord; who keeps an oath even when it hurts, and does not change their mind;

I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.”

Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure.

I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.

I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken.

Psalm 17

A prayer of David.

Hear me, Lord, my plea is just; listen to my cry. Hear my prayer— it does not rise from deceitful lips.

Rise up, Lord, confront them, bring them down; with your sword rescue me from the wicked.

By your hand save me from such people, Lord, from those of this world whose reward is in this life. May what you have stored up for the wicked fill their bellies; may their children gorge themselves on it, and may there be leftovers for their little ones.

Psalm 18

For the director of music. Of David the servant of the Lord. He sang to the Lord the words of this song when the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said:

I love you, Lord, my strength.