Listen to my prayer for mercy
as I cry out to you for help,
as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary.
Listen to my prayer for mercy
as I cry out to you for help,
as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary.
May the words of my mouth
and the meditations of my heart
be pleasing to you,
O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.
May the LORD, the God of Israel,
under whose wings you have come to take refuge,
reward you fully for what you have done.
The heavens proclaim the glory of God.
the skies display his craftsmanship.
Day after day they continue to speak;
night after night they make him known.
God’s way is perfect.
All the LORD’s promises prove true.
He is a shield for all who look to him for protection.
For who is God except the LORD?
Who but our God is a solid rock?
I know the LORD is always with me.
I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.
I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God.
Bend down and listen as I pray.
“Don’t be afraid!” he said.
“I know you are looking for Jesus,
who was crucified.
He isn’t here!
He is risen from the dead,
just as he said would happen.
Come, see where his body was lying.
No wonder my heart is glad, and I rejoice.
My body rests in safety.
For you will not leave my soul among the dead
or allow your Holy One to rot in the grave.
Don’t you realize that I could ask my Father
for thousands of angels to protect us,
and he would send them instantly?
But if I did,
how would the Scriptures be fulfilled
that describe what must happen now?”