Psalm 127 God’s Blessings in the Home 1 Unless the Lord builds the house,     those who build it labor in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city,     the guard keeps watch in vain. 2 It is in vain that you rise up early     and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil;     for he gives sleep to his beloved. 3 Sons are indeed a heritage from the Lord,     the fruit of the womb a reward. 4 Like arrows in the hand of a warrior     are the sons of one’s youth. 5 Happy is the man who has [...]

Psalm 2, NRSV 1 Why do the nations conspire,     and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves,     and the rulers take counsel together,     against the Lord and his anointed, saying, 3 “Let us burst their bonds asunder,     and cast their cords from us.” 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs;     the Lord has them in derision. 5 Then he will speak to them in his wrath,     and terrify them in his fury, saying, 6 “I have set my king on Zion, my holy hill.” 7 I will tell of the decree of [...]

Psalm 132 The Eternal Dwelling of God in Zion 1 O Lord, remember in David’s favor all the hardships he endured; 2 how he swore to the Lord and vowed to the Mighty One of Jacob, 3 “I will not enter my house or get into my bed; 4 I will not give sleep to my eyes or slumber to my eyelids, 5 until I find a place for the Lord, a dwelling place for the Mighty One of Jacob.” 6 We heard of it in Ephrathah; we found it in the fields of Jaar. 7 “Let us go to his dwelling place; let us worship at [...]

Psalm 143 1 Lord, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief. 2 Do not bring your servant into judgment, for no one living is righteous before you. 3 The enemy pursues me, he crushes me to the ground; he makes me dwell in the darkness like those long dead. 4 So my spirit grows faint within me; my heart within me is dismayed. 5 I remember the days of long ago; I meditate on all your works and consider what your hands have done. 6 I spread out my [...]

Title: An Inside Job By St. Luke’s Pastoral Staff Psalm 88 O Lord, God of my salvation, when, at night, I cry out in your presence, let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry. For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol. I am counted among those who go down to the Pit; I am like those who have no help, like those forsaken among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, like those whom you remember no more, for they are cut off from your [...]

Psalm 148 1 Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights! 2 Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host! 3 Praise him, sun and moon; praise him, all you shining stars! 4 Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! 5 Let them praise the name of the Lord, for he commanded and they were created. 6 He established them for ever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed. 7 Praise the Lord from the earth, you sea monsters and all deeps, 8 fire [...]

Psalm 84 (NIV) 1 How lovely is your dwelling place,     Lord Almighty! 2 My soul yearns, even faints,     for the courts of the Lord; my heart and my flesh cry out     for the living God. 3 Even the sparrow has found a home,     and the swallow a nest for herself,     where she may have her young— a place near your altar,     Lord Almighty, my King and my God. 4 Blessed are those who dwell in your house;     they are ever praising you. 5 Blessed are those whose strength is in you,     whose hearts are set on pilgrimage. 6 As [...]

Psalm 122 Song of Praise and Prayer for Jerusalem A Song of Ascents. Of David. 1 I was glad when they said to me,     “Let us go to the house of the Lord!” 2 Our feet are standing     within your gates, O Jerusalem. 3 Jerusalem—built as a city     that is bound firmly together. 4 To it the tribes go up,     the tribes of the Lord, as was decreed for Israel,     to give thanks to the name of the Lord. 5 For there the thrones for judgment were set up,     the thrones of the house of David. 6 Pray for [...]

Psalm 43 (NRSV) Prayer to God in Time of Trouble 1 Vindicate me, O God, and defend my cause     against an ungodly people; from those who are deceitful and unjust     deliver me! 2 For you are the God in whom I take refuge;     why have you cast me off? Why must I walk about mournfully     because of the oppression of the enemy? 3 O send out your light and your truth;     let them lead me; let them bring me to your holy hill     and to your dwelling. 4 Then I will go to the altar of God,     to God [...]