Psalms 5

1 Yahweh, listen to me while I pray! Pay attention to me when I am groaning [because I am suffering very much].

For the leader: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by the flute. Hear my words, Lord: give heed to my whisper.

2 You are my King and my God. When I call to you to ask you to help me, listen to me, because you are the one to whom I pray.

Attend to my loud cry for help, my king and my God.

3 Listen to me when I pray to you [each] morning, and I wait for you to reply.

When I pray to you, Lord, in the morning, hear my voice. I make ready for you in the morning, and look for a sign.

4 You are not a god who is pleased with wicked people; you do not (associate with/invite into your house) [those who do what is] evil.

For you are no God who takes pleasure in wickedness: no one of evil can be your guest.

5 You do not allow those who are very proud to come to you to worship you. You hate all those who do evil things.

No braggarts can stand in your presence, you hate all workers of wrong.

6 You get rid of liars, and you despise those who murder [others] and those who deceive [others].

You destroy all speakers of lies, people of blood and deceit you abhor.

7 Yahweh, because you love me so much and so faithfully, I come into your temple. I revere you greatly, and I bow down to worship you at your sacred temple.

But I, through your kindness abundant, may enter your house, and towards the shrine of your temple may reverently bow.

8 Yahweh, because you act righteously toward me, show me what is right for me to do. Because I have many enemies, show me clearly what you want me to do.

Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies. Make your way level before me.

9 My enemies never say what is true; they just want to destroy [others]. The things that they say [MTY] are [as foul as] an open grave [where a corpse is decaying]. They use their tongues to tell lies.

For their mouth is a stranger to truth, their heart is a pit of destruction. Their throat is a wide open grave, their tongue the smooth tongue of the hypocrite.

10 O God, declare that they are guilty [MTY] [and punish them]. Cause them to experience the same disasters/troubles that they plan to cause to happen to others. Get rid of them because they have committed many sins, and they have rebelled against you.

Condemn them, God; let their schemes bring them down to the ground. For their numberless crimes thrust them down for playing the rebel against you.

11 But cause that all those who go to you to be protected will rejoice; cause them to sing joyfully to you forever. Protect those who love you [MTY]; they are truly happy because (of what you [do for them/they belong to] you).

But let all who take refuge in you ring out their gladness forever. Protect those who love your name, so they may exult in you.

12 Yahweh, you always bless those who act righteously; you protect them like a [soldier is protected by his] shield [SIM].

For you give your blessing, Lord, to the godly, and the shield of your favour protects them.