My days have passed, my plans are shattered, even the desires of my heart.

Deliver me from my distress; rescue me from my suffering!

Yes, my spirit was bitter, and my insides felt sharp pain.

I will maintain my righteousness and never let it go; my conscience will not reproach me for as long as I live.

I concluded, “Surely in vain I have kept my motives pure and maintained a pure lifestyle.

My flesh and my heart may grow weak, but God always protects my heart and gives me stability.

O Lord, my God, I will give you thanks with my whole heart! I will honor your name continually!

Examine me, and probe my thoughts! Test me, and know my concerns!

Now I intend to make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel, so that he may relent from his raging anger.

I said, “During the night I will remember the song I once sang; I will think very carefully.” I tried to make sense of what was happening.

O Lord, teach me how you want me to live! Then I will obey your commands. Make me wholeheartedly committed to you!

I will walk in the way of integrity. When will you come to me? I will conduct my business with integrity in the midst of my palace.

My heart palpitates, I shake in fear; the twilight I desired has brought me terror.

Did Abraham not say to me, ‘She is my sister’? And she herself said, ‘He is my brother.’ I have done this with a clear conscience and with innocent hands!”

“What have you done?” Laban demanded of Jacob. “You’ve deceived me and carried away my daughters as if they were captives of war!

David said to Solomon: “My son, I really wanted to build a temple to honor the Lord my God.

As your words came to me I drank them in, and they filled my heart with joy and happiness because I belong to you.

I was forty years old when Moses, the Lord’s servant, sent me from Kadesh Barnea to spy on the land and I brought back to him an honest report.

King David rose to his feet and said: “Listen to me, my brothers and my people. I wanted to build a temple where the ark of the Lord’s covenant could be placed as a footstool for our God. I have made the preparations for building it.

I know, my God, that you examine thoughts and are pleased with integrity. With pure motives I contribute all this; and now I look with joy as your people who have gathered here contribute to you.