Psalm 17

Hear my plea for justice, Jehovah;
Heed my cry, listen to my prayer,
For it comes from lips that know not lies.
Since you can see what is right and true,
Your judgment must be in my favor.

Though you lay bare the desires of my heart
And examine the dreams I dream at night,
Though you test and probe and scrutinize me,
You will find no wickedness within me.
I speak not lies as others are wont to do;
I have not trod the path of violence,
But have followed the way that you command.
I have held fast and my foot has not slipped.

I call to you, my god, sure of your reply.
Lend me your ear and listen to what I say!
Show me your wondrous love and loyalty.
Save me, take me to your side as you do
Those who seek refuge from their enemies.

Keep me under your protective eye;
Hide me under your sheltering wing;
Save me from my evil oppressors
And the deadly foes all around me,
For their hearts are closed to pity
And their mouths boast arrogantly.
They have tracked me down and surround me,
Intent upon taking me down
And tearing my flesh like a lion. ---
There they couch like a young lion
In cover, awaiting the ambush!

Rise up, Jehovah!  Attack them!
Conquer them!  And, by force of arms,
Deliver me from the wicked!

Use your power, Jehovah, to spare me
From such men, men of the material world
Whose reward is only in the here and now.
Let them fill themselves with your hidden stores;
Let their sons feast upon the surpluses
And have enough to pass on to their children.
But as for me, I am well satisfied,
If you judge me righteous, to behold your face
Or awaken with a vision of you. 

Psalm 16

Protect me, my god, for in you I trust.
To Jehovah I say, "You are my god;
All the good that comes to me comes from you."

It is the men of holiness
Who are the world's nobility;
It is in them I find my joy.

Those who lapse and chase after other gods
Find their sorrows and woes are multiplied.
I make no offerings of blood to them,
Nor will I utter the names of their idols.

My god is my only food and drink;
My destiny is in his hands.
My boundary lines are happily drawn,
My land, a beautiful legacy.

I praise Jehovah, for he is my guide;
Even in the night he is my conscience.
Always I have Jehovah before me;
And with him beside me, I will stand firm.

My heart is glad and my soul rejoices
Even my body dwells in security,
Knowing you will leave not my soul in death's realm
Or let a righteous man rot in the grave.

You show me the path to a holy life.
Your presence fills me with exalted joy;
With you I will know happiness forever!

Psalm 15

Jehovah, who may worship in your Temple
And have leave to ascend your holy mountain?

He who leads a blameless, innocent life
And always aspires to do what is right,
He who speaks from the heart with truthfulness;
Who does not speak slander of his neighbors,
Or slur his friends by spreading hurtful gossip;
Who despises those whom Jehovah rejects
And honors those who respect the divine;
Who keeps his word whatever it may cost him;
Who does not demand interest on a loan,
Or take a bribe to harm the innocent.

Such a person does not bend with the times!