Psalm 87

By the Descendants of Korah

On the holy mount of Zion is his foundation.
Jehovah loves the city gates of Jerusalem
More than any other habitation of Jacob.
Glorious things are said you, city of God!

“I will make mention: among those who know
My people are Egypt and Babylon,
As well as Philistia, Tyre, and Cush.
They say,  ‘This man was born in Jerusalem!’”

Indeed it will be said of Jerusalem
This person and that person were born there
And that the Most High himself founded it.
Jehovah will make a list of his peoples
And write “This man was born in Jerusalem.”
And those who are singers and musicians
Will proclaim, “You are my inspiration!”

Psalm 86

A Prayer of David

Incline your ear to me, O Jehovah.
Answer my prayer for I am poor and needy.
Guard my life, for I have faith in you, my god;
Save your servant who puts his trust in you.
Be merciful to me, O Jehovah,
For I cry out to you all the day long.
Gladden the heart of your servant, my Master,
O Jehovah, for I raise my prayer to you.
For you, Master, are good and forgiving,
Full of kindness to all who call to you.

Listen to my prayer,  O Jehovah!
Give heed to my plea for mercy.
When in distress I call to you,
Because you will give me answer.
Among the gods there are none like you,
And no works like yours, O Master.
All the nations that you have made
Will come and worship before you,
O Master, and glorify your name.
For you are great and wondrous deeds
Do you perform — You alone are God!

Teach me your ways, O Jehovah,
So that I may walk in your truth.
Grant me an undivided heart
So that I may revere your name.
I will praise you,  Jehovah, my god,
With the fullness of my heart and
Glorify your name forever.
Great is your loving kindness to me,
For you have delivered my soul
From the utter brink of the grave.

Arrogant men rise up against me, O God.
A gang of violent men seek my life.
They have no respect for you, Jehovah,
But you are a god of kindness and grace,
Slow to anger, full of  love and loyalty.
Look down upon me and grant me mercy.
Lend me your strength for I am your servant.
Succor me, the son of your maidservant.
Show me a sign that those who hate me may see
And be ashamed, for you, O Jehovah,
Have protected me and comforted me.

Psalm 85

By the Descendants of Korah

Jehovah, you have shown favor to your land
And restored Jacob from captivity.
You have taken away your people’s guilt
And have pardoned all their transgressions.

You have withheld from us all your fury
And turned away from the fierceness of your wrath.
Bring us back, O God, to our salvation,
And bring to an end your displeasure of us.
Will you be angry at us forever?
Will your wrath extend through the generations?
Will you not revitalize us again
So that your people may rejoice in you.
Show us your loving kindness, O Jehovah,
And bestow upon us your salvation.

I hear what the God Jehovah says,
For he speaks of peace to his people,
Those who are his faithful servants,
That they do not lapse into folly.
To those who hold him in reverence,
Their salvation is surely near,
And his glory will dwell in our land.
Love and loyalty will be joined,
And justice and peace will embrace.
The truth will spring up from the earth,
And righteousness look down from heaven.
Jehovah will give us what is good,
And the land will yield its bounty.
Righteousness will go before him
And prepare a path for his steps.