Psalms 5

1 For the chief musician; with wind instruments. A psalm of David. Listen to my call to you, Yahweh; think about my groanings.

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

2 Listen to the sound of my call, my King and my God, for it is to you that I pray.

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.

3 Yahweh, in the morning you hear my cry; in the morning I will bring my petition to you and wait expectantly.

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

4 Certainly you are not a God who approves of evil; evil people will not be your guests.

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.

5 The arrogant will not stand in your presence; you hate all who behave wickedly.

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

6 You will destroy liars; Yahweh despises violent and deceitful men.

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

7 But as for me, because of your great covenant faithfulness, I will come into your house; in reverence I will bow down toward your holy temple.

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.

8 Oh Lord, lead me in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your path straight before me.

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.

9 For there is no truth in their mouth; their inward being is wicked; their throat is an open tomb; they flatter with their tongue.

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.

10 Declare them guilty, God; may their schemes be their downfall! Drive them out for their many transgressions, for they have rebelled against you.

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.

11 But may all those who take refuge in you rejoice; let them always shout for joy because you defend them; let them be joyful in you, those who love your name.

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).

12 For you will bless the righteous, Yahweh; you will surround them with favor as with a shield.

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