Your word, Lord, stands forever; it is firm as the heavens. Through all generations your truth endures; fixed to stand firm like the earth. By your edicts they stand firm to this day, for all things are your servants. Had your teaching not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction. I will never forget your precepts; through them you give me life. I am yours, save me, for I cherish your precepts. The wicked hope to destroy me, but I pay heed to your decrees. I have seen the limits of all perfection, but your command is without bounds.

In the Lord I take refuge; how can you say to me, “Flee like a bird to the mountains!” See how the wicked string their bows, fit their arrows to the string to shoot from the shadows at the upright. When the foundations are being destroyed, what can the upright do? The Lord is in his holy temple; the Lord’s throne is in heaven. God’s eyes keep careful watch; they test all peoples. The Lord tests the good and the bad, hates those who love violence, and rains upon the wicked fiery coals and brimstone, a scorching wind their allotted cup. The Lord is just and loves just deeds; the upright shall see his face.

Turn away your face from my sins; blot out all my guilt. A clean heart create for me, God; renew in me a steadfast spirit. Do not drive me from your presence, nor take from me your holy spirit. Restore my joy in your salvation; sustain in me a willing spirit. I will teach the wicked your ways, that sinners may return to you. Rescue me from death, God my saving God, that my tongue may praise your healing power. Lord, open my lips; my mouth will proclaim your praise. For you do not desire sacrifice; a burnt offering you would not accept. My sacrifice, God, is a broken spirit; God, do not spurn a broken, humbled heart.

Listen, God, to my prayer; do not hide from my pleading; hear me and give answer. I rock with grief; I groan at the uproar of the enemy, the clamor of the wicked. They heap trouble upon me, savagely accuse me. But I will call upon God, and the Lord will save me. At dusk, dawn, and noon I will grieve and complain, and my prayer will be heard. God will give me freedom and peace from those who war against me, though there are many who oppose me.

My safety and glory are with God, my strong rock and refuge. Trust God at all times, my people! Pour out your hearts to God our refuge. Mortals are a mere breath, and the powerful but an illusions; On a balance they rise; together they are lighter than air. Do not trust in extortion; in plunder put no empty hope. Though wealth increase, do not set your heart upon it. One thing God has said; two things I have heard: power belongs to God; so too, Lord, does kindness, and you render to each of us according to our deeds.

Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord; Lord, hear my cry! May your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy. If you, Lord, mark our sins, Lord, who can stand? But with you is forgiveness and so you are revered. I wait with longing for the Lord, my soul waits for his word. My soul looks for the Lord more than sentinels for daybreak. More than sentinels for daybreak, let Israel look for the Lord. For with the Lord is kindness, with him is full redemption. And God will redeem Israel from all their sins.

Rise up, Lord God! Raise your arm! Do not forget the poor! Why should the wicked scorn God, say in their hearts, “God doesn’t care?” But you do see; you do observe this misery and sorrow; you take the matter in hand. To you the helpless can entrust their cause; you are the defender of orphans. Break the arms of the wicked and depraved; make them account for their crimes; let none of them survive.

Everyone who commits sin commits lawlessness, for sin is lawlessness.  You know that he was revealed to take away sins, and in him there is no sin.  No one who remains in him sins; no one who sins has seen him or known him. Children, let no one deceive you.  The person who acts in righteousness in righteous, just as he is righteous.  Whoever sins belongs to the devil, because the devil has sinned from the beginning.  Indeed, the Son of God was revealed to destroy the works of the devil.  No one who is begotten by God commits sin, because God’s seed remains in him; he cannot sin because he is begotten by God.

Praise the Lord from the heavens; give praise in the heights. Praise him, all you angels; give praise, all you hosts. Praise him, sun and moon; give praise, all shining stars. Praise him, highest heavens, you waters above the heavens. Let them all praise the Lord’s name; for the Lord commanded and they were created, assigned them duties forever, gave them tasks that will never change.

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.  The fervent prayer of a righteous person is very powerful.  Elijah was a human being like us; yet he prayed earnestly that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain upon the land.  Then he prayed again, and the sky gave rain and the earth produced its fruits.