Psalm 15-17

Good News Translation

² Those who obey God in everything
    and always do what is right,
whose words are true and sincere,
³     and who do not slander others.
They do no wrong to their friends
    nor spread rumors about their neighbors.
⁴ They despise those whom God rejects,
    but honor those who obey the Lord.
They always do what they promise,
    no matter how much it may cost.
⁵ They make loans without charging interest
    and cannot be bribed to testify against the innocent.

Whoever does these things will always be secure.

³ How excellent are the Lord's faithful people!
    My greatest pleasure is to be with them.

⁴ Those who rush to other gods
    bring many troubles on themselves.^[d]
I will not take part in their sacrifices;
    I will not worship their gods.

⁵ You, Lord, are all I have,
    and you give me all I need;
    my future is in your hands.
⁶ How wonderful are your gifts to me;
    how good they are!

⁷ I praise the Lord, because he guides me,
    and in the night my conscience warns me.
⁸ I am always aware of the Lord's presence;
    he is near, and nothing can shake me.

⁹ And so I am thankful and glad,
    and I feel completely secure,
^10 (A)because you protect me from the power of death.
I have served you faithfully,
    and you will not abandon me to the world of the dead.

^11 (B)You will show me the path that leads to life;
    your presence fills me with joy
    and brings me pleasure forever.

³ You know my heart.
    You have come to me at night;
    you have examined me completely
    and found no evil desire in me.
I speak no evil,
⁴ as others do;
    I have obeyed your command
    and have not followed paths of violence.
⁵ I have always walked in your way
    and have never strayed from it.

⁶ I pray to you, O God, because you answer me;
    so turn to me and listen to my words.
⁷ Reveal your wonderful love and save me;
    at your side I am safe from my enemies.

⁸ Protect me as you would your very eyes;
    hide me in the shadow of your wings
⁹     from the attacks of the wicked.

Deadly enemies surround me;
¹⁰     they have no pity and speak proudly.
¹¹ They are around me now, wherever I turn,
    watching for a chance to pull me down.
¹² They are like lions, waiting for me,
    wanting to tear me to pieces.

¹³ Come, Lord! Oppose my enemies and defeat them!
Save me from the wicked by your sword;
¹⁴     save me from those who in this life have all they want.
Punish them with the sufferings you have stored up for them;
    may there be enough for their children
    and some left over for their children's children!

¹⁵ But I will see you, because I have done no wrong;
    and when I awake, your presence will fill me with joy.