Psalms 5

1 For the choirmaster, to be accompanied by flutes. A Psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning.

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

2 Attend to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I pray.

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

3 In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation.

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 delights in wickedness; no evil can dwell with You.

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

5 The boastful cannot stand in Your presence; You hate all workers of iniquity.

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

6 You destroy those who tell lies; the LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.

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

7 But I will enter Your house by the abundance of Your loving devotion; in reverence I will bow down toward Your holy temple.

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

8 Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make straight Your way before me.

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

9 For not a word they speak can be trusted; destruction lies within them. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.

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 Declare them guilty, O God; let them fall by their own devices. Drive them out for their many 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 who take refuge in You rejoice; let them ever shout for joy. May You shelter them, that those who love Your name may rejoice 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 surely You, O LORD, bless the righteous; You surround them with the shield of Your favor.

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