Psalm 86 & 122

Psalm 86

A prayer of David.

1Hear me, Lord, and answer me,

for I am poor and needy.

2Guard my life, for I am faithful to you;

save your servant who trusts in you.

You are my God; 3have mercy on me, Lord,

for I call to you all day long.

4Bring joy to your servant, Lord,

for I put my trust in you.

5You, Lord, are forgiving and good,

abounding in love to all who call to you.

6Hear my prayer, Lord;

listen to my cry for mercy.

7When I am in distress, I call to you,

because you answer me.

8Among the gods there is none like you, Lord;

no deeds can compare with yours.

9All the nations you have made

will come and worship before you, Lord;

they will bring glory to your name.

10For you are great and do marvelous deeds;

you alone are God.

11Teach me your way, Lord,

that I may rely on your faithfulness;

give me an undivided heart,

that I may fear your name.

12I will praise you, Lord my God, with all my heart;

I will glorify your name forever.

13For great is your love toward me;

you have delivered me from the depths,

from the realm of the dead.

14Arrogant foes are attacking me, O God;

ruthless people are trying to kill me—

they have no regard for you.

15But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God,

slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.

16Turn to me and have mercy on me;

show your strength in behalf of your servant;

save me, because I serve you

just as my mother did.

17Give me a sign of your goodness,

that my enemies may see it and be put to shame,

for you, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.

Psalm 122

A song of ascents. Of David.

1I rejoiced with those who said to me,

“Let us go to the house of the Lord.”

2Our feet are standing

in your gates, Jerusalem.

3Jerusalem is built like a city

that is closely compacted together.

4That is where the tribes go up—

the tribes of the Lord—

to praise the name of the Lord

according to the statute given to Israel.

5There stand the thrones for judgment,

the thrones of the house of David.

6Pray for the peace of Jerusalem:

“May those who love you be secure.

7May there be peace within your walls

and security within your citadels.”

8For the sake of my family and friends,

I will say, “Peace be within you.”

9For the sake of the house of the Lord our God,

I will seek your prosperity.