Psalm 15-17
New King James Version
The Character of Those Who May Dwell with the Lord
A Psalm of David.
2 He who walks uprightly,
And works righteousness,
And speaks the (B)truth in his heart;
3 He who (C)does not backbite with his tongue,
Nor does evil to his neighbor,
(D)Nor does he [b]take up a reproach against his friend;
4 (E)In whose eyes a vile person is despised,
But he honors those who fear the Lord;
He who (F)swears to his own hurt and does not change;
5 He who does not put out his money at usury,
Nor does he take a bribe against the innocent.
He who does these things (G)shall never be moved.
The Hope of the Faithful, and the Messiah’s Victory
A (H)Michtam of David.
16 Preserve[c] me, O God, for in You I put my trust.
2 O my soul, you have said to the Lord,
“You are my Lord,
(I)My goodness is nothing apart from You.”
3 As for the saints who are on the earth,
“They are the excellent ones, in (J)whom is all my delight.”
4 Their sorrows shall be multiplied who hasten after another god;
Their drink offerings of (K)blood I will not offer,
(L)Nor take up their names on my lips.
5 O Lord, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup;
You [d]maintain my lot.
6 The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places;
Yes, I have a good inheritance.
7 I will bless the Lord who has given me counsel;
My [e]heart also instructs me in the night seasons.
8 (M)I have set the Lord always before me;
Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved.
9 Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices;
My flesh also will [f]rest in hope.
10 (N)For You will not leave my soul in [g]Sheol,
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to [h]see corruption.
11 You will show me the (O)path of life;
In Your presence is fullness of joy;
At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Prayer with Confidence in Final Salvation
A Prayer of David.
17 Hear a just cause, O Lord,
Attend to my cry;
Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips.
2 Let my vindication come from Your presence;
Let Your eyes look on the things that are upright.
3 You have tested my heart;
You have visited me in the night;
(P)You have [i]tried me and have found [j]nothing;
I have purposed that my mouth shall not (Q)transgress.
4 Concerning the works of men,
By the word of Your lips,
I have kept away from the paths of the destroyer.
5 (R)Uphold my steps in Your paths,
That my footsteps may not slip.
6 (S)I have called upon You, for You will hear me, O God;
Incline Your ear to me, and hear my speech.
7 Show Your marvelous lovingkindness by Your right hand,
O You who [k]save those who trust in You
From those who rise up against them.
8 Keep me as the [l]apple of Your eye;
Hide me under the shadow of Your wings,
9 From the wicked who oppress me,
From my deadly enemies who surround me.
10 They have closed up their (T)fat hearts;
With their mouths they (U)speak proudly.
11 They have now surrounded us in our steps;
They have set their eyes, crouching down to the earth,
12 As a lion is eager to tear his prey,
And like a young lion lurking in secret places.
13 Arise, O Lord,
Confront him, cast him down;
Deliver my life from the wicked with Your sword,
14 With Your hand from men, O Lord,
From men of the world who have their portion in this life,
And whose belly You fill with Your hidden treasure.
They are satisfied with children,
And leave the rest of their possession for their babes.
15 As for me, (V)I will see Your face in righteousness;
(W)I shall be satisfied when I (X)awake in Your likeness.
Footnotes
- Psalm 15:1 sojourn
- Psalm 15:3 receive
- Psalm 16:1 Watch over
- Psalm 16:5 Lit. uphold
- Psalm 16:7 Mind, lit. kidneys
- Psalm 16:9 Or dwell securely
- Psalm 16:10 The abode of the dead
- Psalm 16:10 undergo
- Psalm 17:3 examined
- Psalm 17:3 Nothing evil
- Psalm 17:7 deliver
- Psalm 17:8 pupil
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.