Psalms 5

1 For the Chief Musician, with the flutes. A Psalm by David. Give ear to my words, LORD. Consider my (meditation)

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

2 Listen to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for I pray to you.

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

3 LORD, in the morning you will hear my voice. In the morning I will lay my requests before you, and will watch expectantly.

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 For you are not a God who has pleasure in wickedness. Evil can’t live with you.

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

5 The arrogant will not stand in your sight. You hate all workers of iniquity.

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

6 You will destroy those who speak lies. The LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

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

7 But as for me, in the abundance of your loving kindness I will come into your house. I will bow towards your holy temple in reverence of you.

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

8 Lead me, LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies. Make your way straight before my face.

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

9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth. Their heart is destruction. Their throat is an open tomb. They flatter with their tongue.

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 Hold them guilty, God. Let them fall by their own counsels. Thrust them out in the multitude of their transgressions, for 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 let all those who take refuge in you rejoice. Let them always shout for joy, because you defend them. Let them also who love your name be joyful in 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 For you will bless the righteous. LORD, you will surround him with favour as with a shield.

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