Two Psalms

ONE - prayer

Save me, O God, by your name and vindicate the words of my mouth with your might. Hear my prayer, O God, give ear to the words of my mouth. Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love and kindness; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 

It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to your name, to declare your steadfast love in the morning and your faithfulness by night. You have made me glad by your works, and at the work of your hands I sing for joy.

You have exalted my strength and poured a fresh spirit over me. 

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TWO - response

Do not fret because of the wicked; do not be envious of wrongdoers for they will soon fade like grass and whither like the green herb. Trust in the Lord and do good so that you will live in the land and enjoy security. Take delight in the Lord (not the world) and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will act. 

He will make your vindication shine like the light and the justice of your cause like the noonday. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him and do not fret over those who prosper in their way by carrying out evil desires. Do not fret - it leads only to evil. 

The wicked will be cut off and those who wait for the Lord shall inherit the land. The meek will inherit the land and delight themselves in abundant prosperity. Better is a little the righteous person has than the abundance of many wicked. The Lord upholds the righteous and in the days of famine they will have abundance. 

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Reflection - Our steps are made firm when we walk with the Lord. Our footing is sure. His path is delightful and even if we stumble we will not fall headlong, for the Lord holds us by the hand. 

(From a collection of verses New Oxford Annotated Bible, Psalms 54; 51; 66; 92-100; 37)