Psalm 5

Prayer for Protection from the Wicked.

For the choir director; for [a]flute accompaniment. A Psalm of David.

1Give ear to my words, O Lord,
Consider my [b]groaning.
2Heed the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God,
For to You I pray.
3In the morning, O Lord, [c]You will hear my voice;
In the morning I will order my [d]prayer to You and eagerly watch.

4For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness;
No evil [e]dwells with You.
5The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes;
You hate all who do iniquity.
6You destroy those who speak falsehood;
The Lord abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.
7But as for me, by Your abundant lovingkindness I will enter Your house,
[f]At Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You.

8O Lord, lead me in Your righteousness because of [g]my foes;
Make Your way [h]straight before me.
9There is nothing [i]reliable in [j]what they say;
Their inward part is destruction itself.
Their throat is an open grave;
They [k]flatter with their tongue.
10Hold them guilty, O God;
By their own devices let them fall!
In the multitude of their transgressions thrust them out,
For they are rebellious against You.

11But let all who take refuge in You be glad,
Let them ever sing for joy;
And [l]may You shelter them,
That those who love Your name may exult in You.
12For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O Lord,
You surround him with favor as with a shield.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 5:1 Heb Nehiloth
  2. Psalm 5:1 Or meditation
  3. Psalm 5:3 Or May You hear
  4. Psalm 5:3 Or sacrifice
  5. Psalm 5:4 Lit sojourns
  6. Psalm 5:7 Or Toward
  7. Psalm 5:8 Or those who lie in wait for me
  8. Psalm 5:8 Or smooth
  9. Psalm 5:9 Or true
  10. Psalm 5:9 Lit his mouth
  11. Psalm 5:9 Or make their tongue smooth
  12. Psalm 5:11 Or You shelter
Psalm 5