Psalms 5

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

To the chief music-maker on wind instruments. A Psalm. Of David. Give ear to my words, O Lord; give thought to my heart-searchings.

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

Let the voice of my cry come to you, my King and my God; for to you will I make my prayer.

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

My voice will come to you in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I send my prayer to you, and keep watch.

4 For you are not a God who has pleasure in wickedness. Evil cannot live with you.

For you are not a God who takes pleasure in wrongdoing; there is no evil with you.

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

The sons of pride have no place before you; you are a hater of all workers of evil.

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

You will send destruction on those whose words are false; the cruel man and the man of deceit are hated by the Lord.

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

But as for me, I will come into your house, in the full measure of your mercy; and in your fear I will give worship, turning my eyes to your holy Temple.

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

Be my guide, O Lord, in the ways of your righteousness, because of those who are against me; make your way straight before my face.

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 no faith may be put in their words; their inner part is nothing but evil; their throat is like an open place for the dead; smooth are the words of their tongues.

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.

Send them to destruction, O Lord; let their evil designs be the cause of their fall; let them be forced out by all their sins; because they have gone against your authority.

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 those who put their faith in you be glad with cries of joy at all times, and let all the lovers of your name be glad in you.

12 For you will bless the righteous. LORD, you will surround him with favor as with a shield.

For you, Lord, will send a blessing on the upright man; your grace will be round him, and you will be his strength.