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(A psalm by David for the music leader. Use flutes.)

A Prayer for Help

Listen, Lord, as I pray!
    Pay attention when I groan.[a]
You are my King and my God.
Answer my cry for help
    because I pray to you.
Each morning you listen
    to my prayer,
as I bring my requests[b] to you
    and wait for your reply.

You are not the kind of God
who is pleased with evil.
    Sinners can't stay with you.
No one who boasts can stand
in your presence, Lord,
    and you hate evil people.
You destroy every liar,
and you despise violence
    and deceit.

Because of your great mercy,
    I come to your house, Lord,
and I am filled with wonder
as I bow down to worship
    at your holy temple.
You do what is right,
    and I ask you to guide me.
Make your teaching clear
    because of my enemies.

(A) Nothing they say is true!
    They just want to destroy.
Their words are deceitful
    like a hidden pit,
and their tongues are good
    only for telling lies.
10 Punish them, God,
and let their own plans
    bring their downfall.
Get rid of them!
They keep committing crimes
    and turning against you.

11 Let all who run to you
for protection
    always sing joyful songs.
Provide shelter for those
who truly love you
    and let them rejoice.
12 Our Lord, you bless those
    who live right,
and you shield them
    with your kindness.

Footnotes

  1. 5.1 when I groan: Or “to my thoughts” or “to my words.”
  2. 5.3 requests: Or “sacrifices.”

Psalm 5[a]

For the director of music. For pipes. A psalm of David.

Listen(A) to my words, Lord,
    consider my lament.(B)
Hear my cry for help,(C)
    my King and my God,(D)
    for to you I pray.

In the morning,(E) Lord, you hear my voice;
    in the morning I lay my requests before you
    and wait expectantly.(F)
For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness;
    with you, evil people(G) are not welcome.
The arrogant(H) cannot stand(I)
    in your presence.
You hate(J) all who do wrong;
    you destroy those who tell lies.(K)
The bloodthirsty and deceitful
    you, Lord, detest.
But I, by your great love,
    can come into your house;
in reverence(L) I bow down(M)
    toward your holy temple.(N)

Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness(O)
    because of my enemies—
    make your way straight(P) before me.
Not a word from their mouth can be trusted;
    their heart is filled with malice.
Their throat is an open grave;(Q)
    with their tongues they tell lies.(R)
10 Declare them guilty, O God!
    Let their intrigues be their downfall.
Banish them for their many sins,(S)
    for they have rebelled(T) against you.
11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
    let them ever sing for joy.(U)
Spread your protection over them,
    that those who love your name(V) may rejoice in you.(W)

12 Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;(X)
    you surround them(Y) with your favor as with a shield.(Z)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 5:1 In Hebrew texts 5:1-12 is numbered 5:2-13.