Psalm 34
(Written by David when he pretended to be crazy in front of Abimelech)
Honor the LORD

I will always praise the LORD. With all my heart, I will praise the LORD. Let all who are helpless, listen and be glad. Honor the LORD with me! Celebrate his great name.

I asked the LORD for help, and he saved me from all my fears. Keep your eyes on the LORD! You will shine like the sun and never blush with shame. I was a nobody, but I prayed, and the LORD saved me from all my troubles.

If you honor the LORD, his angel will protect you. Discover for yourself that the LORD is kind. Come to him for protection, and you will be glad.

Honor the LORD! You are his special people. No one who honors the LORD will ever be in need. Young lions may go hungry or even starve, but if you trust the LORD, you will never miss out on anything good.

Come, my children, listen as I teach you to respect the LORD. Do you want to live and enjoy a long life? Then don't say cruel things and don't tell lies. Do good instead of evil and try to live at peace.

If you obey the LORD, he will watch over you and answer your prayers. But God despises evil people, and he will wipe them all from the earth, till they are forgotten. When his people pray for help, he listens and rescues them from their troubles. The LORD is there to rescue all who are discouraged and have given up hope.

The LORD's people may suffer a lot, but he will always bring them safely through. Not one of their bones will ever be broken.

Wicked people are killed by their own evil deeds, and if you hate God's people you will be punished. The LORD saves the lives of his servants. Run to him for protection, and you won't be punished.

Isaiah 12:1-6
A Song of Praise

At that time you will say, "I thank you, LORD! You were angry with me, but you stopped being angry and gave me comfort. I trust you to save me, LORD God, and I won't be afraid. My power and my strength come from you, and you have saved me." 

With great joy, you people will get water from the well of victory. At that time you will say, "Our LORD, we are thankful, and we worship only you. We will tell the nations how glorious you are and what you have done. Because of your wonderful deeds we will sing your praises everywhere on earth."

Sing, people of Zion! Celebrate the greatness of the holy LORD of Israel. God is here to help you.

Romans 15:13

I pray that God, who gives hope, will bless you with complete happiness and peace because of your faith. And may the power of the Holy Spirit fill you with hope.

Colossians 1:9-14
The Person and Work of Christ

We have not stopped praying for you since the first day we heard about you. In fact, we always pray that God will show you everything he wants you to do and that you may have all the wisdom and understanding that his Spirit gives. Then you will live a life that honors the Lord, and you will always please him by doing good deeds. You will come to know God even better.

His glorious power will make you patient and strong enough to endure anything, and you will be truly happy.  I pray that you will be grateful to God for letting you have part in what he has promised his people in the kingdom of light. God rescued us from the dark power of Satan and brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son, who forgives our sins and sets us free.

Hebrews 6:9-12

My friends, we are talking this way. But we are sure that you are doing those really good things that people do when they are being saved. God is always fair. He will remember how you helped his people in the past and how you are still helping them. You belong to God, and he won't forget the love you have shown his people. We wish that each of you would always be eager to show how strong and lasting your hope really is. Then you would never be lazy. You would be following the example of those who had faith and were patient until God kept his promise to them.