Prayer for Guidance and for Deliverance

Of David.

1To you, O LORD, I lift up my soul.

2O my God, in you I trust;

do not let me be put to shame;

do not let my enemies exult over me.

3Do not let those who wait for you be put to shame;

let them be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

4Make me to know your ways, O LORD;

teach me your paths.

5Lead me in your truth, and teach me,

for you are the God of my salvation;

for you I wait all day long.

6Be mindful of your mercy, O LORD, and of your steadfast love,

for they have been from of old.

7Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;

according to your steadfast love remember me,

for your goodness' sake, O LORD!

8Good and upright is the LORD;

therefore he instructs sinners in the way.

9He leads the humble in what is right,

and teaches the humble his way.

10All the paths of the LORD are steadfast love and faithfulness,

for those who keep his covenant and his decrees.

11For your name's sake, O LORD,

pardon my guilt, for it is great.

12Who are they that fear the LORD?

He will teach them the way that they should choose.

13They will abide in prosperity,

and their children shall possess the land.

14The friendship of the LORD is for those who fear him,

and he makes his covenant known to them.

15My eyes are ever towards the LORD,

for he will pluck my feet out of the net.

16Turn to me and be gracious to me,

for I am lonely and afflicted.

17Relieve the troubles of my heart,

and bring me25.17 Or The troubles of my heart are enlarged; bring me out of my distress.

18Consider my affliction and my trouble,

and forgive all my sins.

19Consider how many are my foes,

and with what violent hatred they hate me.

20O guard my life, and deliver me;

do not let me be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.

21May integrity and uprightness preserve me,

for I wait for you.

22Redeem Israel, O God,

out of all its troubles.