For the music, Director: on Mahalath,

a maskil of David.

In his heart, a fool says

“There is no God.”

They are corrupt and do vile deeds,

none of them do good.

God looks down from heaven on humankind

to see if anyone understands, anyone who seeks God.

Everyone has turned away

 – they have all become corrupt.

Not a single person does good!

Will evildoers never learn?

They devour my people just like bread

and never call upon God.

They live in terror even when

there is nothing to be afraid of.

God has scattered the bones of your foes.

You will put them to shame

because God has rejected them.

Who will bring salvation to Israel from Zion?

When God restores God’s people who are captive,

let Jacob rejoice

let Israel be glad!

For the music director: a maskil (contemplative song)

of David, when Doeg the Edomite reported to Saul

that David went to the house of Ahimalek.

Why do you brag about evil, mighty hero?

God’s merciful compassion is constant.

Like a sharp razor, your tongue plots destruction,

practicing deceit.

You love evil rather than good,

lying instead of speaking correctly.

Selah.

You love only harmful words

– treacherous tongue!

God will forever pull you down,

snatching you right out of your tent,

and uprooting you from the land of the living.

Selah.

Then those who are righteous will see and fear,

and ridicule him: “Here is the man who trusted

in his great riches instead of making God his stronghold

– his strength was in his evil desire.”

But I – I am flourishing

like an olive tree in the house of God.

I will forever trust in God‘s lovingkindness.

I will forever praise You for what You have done.

In the presence of Your faithful people

I will put my hope in Your Name for it is good.

For the director of music: a psalm of David,

when the prophet Nathan approached him

after David committed adultery with Bathsheba.

Have mercy on me, O God,

according to Your mercy.

According to Your abundant compassion

wipe away my transgressions.

Thoroughly wash away all my iniquity

and cleanse me from my sin.

I know my sin and iniquity is always in front of me.

I have sinned against You, and You alone,

and I’ve done what is evil in Your sight.

You are justified when You pass sentence

and blameless when You judge.

Behold, I was conceived and born

in guilt and sin.

Surely You desire truth to the core,

make me understand wisdom inwardly.

If You cleanse me with hyssop, I will be clean.

If You wash me, I will be whiter than snow.

Make my ears hear joy and gladness

so the bones You have crushed will feel joy.

Look away from my sins

and wipe away all my mistakes.

Oh God, create a clean heart in me

and restore in me a steadfast spirit.

Don’t turn me away from Your presence

or take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore the joy of Your salvation to me

and preserve me with a willing spirit.

Then I will teach the rebellious Your ways

so that they may return to You.

Save me from the guilt of shedding blood, O God

– God of my salvation.

Then my tongue will joyfully sing

of Your righteousness.

Oh Lord, open my lips,

so my mouth can declare Your praise.

You don’t want sacrifice – or I would give it –

nor are You pleased with burnt offerings.

What God wants for sacrifice is a broken spirit.

God will not despise a broken and contrite heart.

May it please You to make Zion prosper.

Build up Jerusalem‘s walls.

Then You will delight in sacrifices that are righteous

as well as whole burnt offerings.

Then bulls will be offered up on Your altar.