1 ¶ Raise a joyful sound to the LORD, all you lands.

2 Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing.

3 Realize that the LORD is God: that it is he who has made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

4 Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful to him, and bless his name.

5 For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endures to all generations.

Psalm 101

A Psalm of David.

1 ¶ I will sing of mercy and judgment: and make music to you, O LORD.

2 I will wisely follow the way that is perfect. O when will you come to me? I will walk within my house with a pure heart.

3 I will not set any wicked thing before my eyes: I hate what is done by those who turn aside; I want no part of it.

4 Let every perverse thought be put out of my mind: I will not be friendly with evil.

5 I will silence anyone, who privately slanders his neighbor: I will not put up with anyone who has an high look and a proud heart.

6 My eyes will be on the faithful of the land, that they may dwell with me: anyone who follows the way that is perfect, may serve me.

7 He who does deceitful things will not live in my home: he who tells lies will not remain in my sight.

8 Early in the morning I will destroy all the wicked of the land; so that I may eliminate all who do evil from the city of the LORD.

Psalm 102

A Prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed,

and pours out his complaint before the LORD.

1 ¶ Hear my prayer, O LORD, and let my cry come before you.

2 Do not hide your face from me when I am in trouble; incline your ear to me: when I call answer me quickly.

3 For my days vanish like smoke, and my bones ache as in a fire.

4 My heart is parched, and withered like grass; so that I forget to eat my food.

5 Because of my pain and suffering I am nothing but skin and bone.

6 I am like a pelican in the desert: I am like an owl in a wasteland.

7 I am sleepless, like a sparrow alone on the house top.

8 My enemies insult me all day long; and those who are raging against me have sworn an oath against me.

9 For I have eaten ashes like bread, and mingle my drink with tears,

10 Because of your indignation and your wrath: for you raised me up, and threw me down.

11 My days are like a shadow getting longer; and I am withered like grass.

12 ¶ But you, O LORD, will endure forever; and the memory of you to all generations.

13 You will arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favor her, yea, the appointed time, has come.

14 For your servants take pleasure in her stones, and favor her dust.

15 So the heathen will fear the name of the LORD, and all the kings of the earth his glory.

16 When the LORD builds up Zion, he will appear in his glory.

17 He will hear the prayer of the destitute, and will not despise their prayer.

18 This will be recorded for a generation yet unborn: so a people still to be created will praise the LORD.

19 For he has looked down from the height of his sanctuary; the LORD looked from heaven at the earth;

20 To hear the groaning of the prisoner; to free those who are doomed to die;

21 That they might proclaim the name of the LORD in Zion, and his praise in Jerusalem;

22 When the nations and kingdoms come together, to serve the LORD.

23 ¶ He has broken my strength along life’s way; he has shortened my days.

24 I said, O my God, do not take me away in the middle of my life: your years last forever.

25 Long ago you laid the foundation of the earth: and the heavens are the work of your hands.

26 They will perish, but you will endure: yea, all of them will grow old like a garment; you will change them like clothes, and they will pass away:

27 But you are the same, and your years will never end.

28 The children of your servants will continue, and their offspring will be established before you.