Psalm 5

New Century Version

A Morning Prayer for Protection

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

5 Lord, listen to my words.
    Understand my sadness.
²Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God,
    because I pray to you.
³Lord, every morning you hear my voice.
    Every morning, I tell you what I need,
    and I wait for your answer.

⁴You are not a God who is pleased with the wicked;
    you do not live with those who do evil.
⁵Those people who make fun of you cannot stand before you.
    You hate all those who do evil.
⁶You destroy liars;
    the Lord hates those who kill and trick others.

⁷Because of your great love,
    I can come into your Temple.
Because I fear and respect you,
    I can worship in your holy Temple.
⁸Lord, since I have many enemies,
    show me the right thing to do.
    Show me clearly how you want me to live.

⁹My enemies’ mouths do not tell the truth;
    in their hearts they want to destroy others.
Their throats are like open graves;
    they use their tongues for telling lies.
¹⁰God, declare them guilty!
    Let them fall into their own traps.
Send them away because their sins are many;
    they have turned against you.

¹¹But let everyone who trusts you be happy;
    let them sing glad songs forever.
Protect those who love you
    and who are happy because of you.
¹²Lord, you bless those who do what is right;
    you protect them like a soldier’s shield.