What follows is a selection of Psalms,
From the Old Testament Book of Psalms,
Read from the New King James Translation.
Use this recording as you will,
But our suggestion is to simply sit with it,
Head bowed,
In quiet contemplation.
Psalm 15 The character of those who may dwell with the Lord Lord who may abide in your tabernacle,
Who may dwell on your holy hill,
He who walks uprightly,
And works righteously,
And speaks the truth in his heart,
He who does not backbite with his tongue,
Nor does evil to his neighbour,
Nor falls out with his friend,
In whose eyes a vile person is despised,
But who honours those who fear God,
He who keeps his oaths,
And does not change,
He who does not lend out his money at usury,
Nor takes a bribe against the innocent,
He who does these things,
Shall never be shaken.
And now,
A moment of reflection.
Psalm 16 The hope of the faithful,
And the Messiah's victory Preserve me,
O God,
For in you I put my trust.
O my soul,
You speak to God,
Saying,
You are my Lord,
My goodness is nothing apart from you.
And as for the saints on earth,
They are the excellent ones,
In whom I delight.
Those who hasten after other gods,
However,
Shall have their sorrows multiplied,
Their drink-offerings of blood I will not offer,
Nor take up their names on my lips.
O Lord,
You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup,
You maintain my lot.
The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places,
Yes,
I have a good inheritance.
And so I will bless the Lord,
Who has given me counsel,
In the days and the nights alike.
I have set the Lord always before me,
And because He is at my right hand,
I shall not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad,
And my glory rejoices.
My flesh also will rest in hope,
For you will not leave my soul in the netherworld,
Nor will you allow your Holy One to see corruption.
You will show me the path of life,
In your presence is fullness of joy,
At your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
And now a moment of reflection.
Psalm 17.
Prayer with Confidence in Final Salvation Hear a just cause,
O Lord,
Attend to my cry,
Give ear to my prayer which is not from deceitful lips.
Let my vindication come from your presence,
Let your eyes look upon me with a loving gaze.
Look on all upright things.
You have tested my heart,
You have visited me in the night,
You have tried me and have found nothing.
I have intended that my mouth shall not transgress.
As for the works of men,
By the word of your lips,
I have kept away from the paths of the evil one,
And instead stayed on your path,
And you ensure my footsteps do not slip.
I have called upon you,
O God,
For you will hear me.
Incline your ear to me and hear my speech,
Show your marvellous loving-kindness by your right hand.
O you who save those who trust in you From those who rise up against them,
Keep me as the apple of your eye,
Hide me under the shadow of your wings From the wicked who oppress me,
From my deadly enemies who surround me.
They have closed up their fat hearts,
With their mouths they speak so proudly.
They have now surrounded us in our steps,
They have set their eyes crouching downwards,
Like a lion,
Lurking in secret places,
Eager to tear his prey apart.
Arise,
O Lord,
Confront him,
Cast him down,
Deliver my life from the wicked with your sword.
By your hand,
O Lord,
Save me from the evil men of this world.
But for those you love,
Fill their bellies with your hidden treasure,
Satisfy their children and leave the rest for their babes.
As for me,
I will see your face in righteousness,
I shall be satisfied when I awake in your likeness.
And now,
A moment of reflection.
Thank you for listening today.
I hope this recording has helped edify you and illuminate your path.
These words have been passed down through the ages by our living God,
For the sake of your sanctification.
How blessed we are to have him,
Kind and merciful,
In his ways.
And so we give thanks.
Amen.
