Psalm 31

Bountiful and blessed is the man who grants his goodness to a stranger,
~~and does not bring injury to another, though he himself be injured.

Happy the people who give according to God's gold and rule,
~~and pleased is God with them.

They are His travelers, shaping their way through shadows in the desert;
~~they appear to one another on the path, east of storm and west of sand.

And when each passerby directs the nearing one to the other's next oasis,
~~then each describes abundance to the other,
~~how rich the land where each cares for his brother.

Psalm 30

In every age there is a Prophet,
~~and a Messenger in every era Whose call returns in spirit.

Many are called: kings are called to raise the banner of His name;
~~Many kings are called.

Many are called: patriarchs are called to attain the mountain where every eye shall see;
~~Many patriarchs are called.

Many are called: divines are called in clouds to praise the Glory of the Father;
~~Many divines are called.

Many are called: rulers are called to enter His holy vineyard;
~~Many rulers are called.

Many are called by the sovereign Lord: all vassals in His realm;
~~Many by the sovereign Lord of all are called.

Psalm 29

The Lord has ordered nature according to His pleasure,
~~and formed creation to conform with His perfection.

By His measure, human nature may sing His praise;
~~my beloved’s voice is soft and strong.

For His favor, we pledge to abide within the will of God;
~~our marriage vow is the heart’s guide, a covenant our love’s song.

Psalm 28

The last month: the fast begins, the year ends,
~~a gathering of days like long-loved friends.

Psalm 27

I fast for the Lord;
~~I hunger for His good-pleasure,
this hope of nearness my perfect need.

If I should turn my face away from God yet have the earth my feast,
~~how could I have a severed tongue yet taste?

My fast is for the Lord;
~~my thirst is trained in waves of light,
this longing sunrise to sunset for day without end.