April 5 – Psalms 11 and 12 from the Old Testament

Psalms 11 and 12 – Psalm 11

For the music director; by David.

11:1 In the Lord I have taken shelter.

How can you say to me,

“Flee to a mountain like a bird!

11:2 For look, the wicked prepare their bows,

they put their arrows on the strings,

to shoot in the darkness at the morally upright.

11:3 When the foundations are destroyed,

what can the godly accomplish?”

11:4 The Lord is in his holy temple;

the Lord’s throne is in heaven.

His eyes watch;

his eyes examine all people.

11:5 The Lord approves of the godly,

but he hates the wicked and those who love to do violence.

11:6 May the Lord rain down burning coals and brimstone on the wicked!

A whirlwind is what they deserve!

11:7 Certainly the Lord is just;

he rewards godly deeds;

the upright will experience his favor.

Psalm 12

For the music director; according to the sheminith style; a psalm of David.

12:1 Deliver, Lord!

For the godly have disappeared;

people of integrity have vanished.

12:2 People lie to one another;

they flatter and deceive.

12:3 May the Lord cut off all flattering lips,

and the tongue that boasts!

12:4 They say, “We speak persuasively;

we know how to flatter and boast.

Who is our master?”

12:5 “Because of the violence done to the oppressed,

because of the painful cries of the needy,

I will spring into action,” says the Lord.

“I will provide the safety they so desperately desire.”

12:6 The Lord’s words are absolutely reliable.

They are as untainted as silver purified in a furnace on the ground,

where it is thoroughly refined.

12:7 You, Lord, will protect them;

you will continually shelter each one from these evil people,

12:8 for the wicked seem to be everywhere,

when people promote evil.