Psalm 4-6

Common English Bible

Psalm 4

For the music leader. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.

4 Answer me when I cry out, my righteous God!
    Set me free from my troubles!
        Have mercy on me!
        Listen to my prayer!

²How long, you people,
    will my reputation be insulted?
How long will you continue
    to love what is worthless
    and go after lies? Selah
³Know this: the Lord takes
    personal care of the faithful.
The Lord will hear me
    when I cry out to him.
⁴So be afraid, and don’t sin!
    Think hard about it in your bed
    and weep over it! Selah
⁵Bring righteous offerings,
    and trust the Lord!

⁶Many people say,
    “We can’t find goodness anywhere.
    The light of your face has left us, Lord!”^[a]
⁷But you have filled my heart with more joy
    than when their wheat and wine are everywhere!
⁸I will lie down and fall asleep in peace
    because you alone, Lord, let me live in safety.

Psalm 5

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

5 Hear my words, Lord!
    Consider my groans!
²    Pay attention to the sound of my cries, my king and my God,
        because I am praying to you!
³Lord, in the morning you hear my voice.
    In the morning I lay it all out before you.
    Then I wait expectantly.
⁴Because you aren’t a God
    who enjoys wickedness;
    evil doesn’t live with you.
⁵Arrogant people won’t last long
in your sight;
    you hate all evildoers;
⁶    you destroy liars.
    The Lord despises people who are violent and dishonest.

⁷But me? I will enter your house
    because of your abundant, faithful love;
    I will bow down at your holy temple,
        honoring you.
⁸Lord, because of many enemies,
    please lead me in your righteousness.
    Make your way clear,
        right in front of me.
⁹Because there’s no truth in my enemies’ mouths,
    all they have inside them is destruction.
    Their throats are open graves;
    their tongues slick with talk.
¹⁰Condemn them, God!
    Let them fail by their own plans.
Throw them out for their many sins
    because they’ve rebelled against you.
¹¹But let all who take refuge in you celebrate.
    Let them sing out loud forever!
Protect them
    so that all who love your name
    can rejoice in you.
¹²Because you, Lord, bless the righteous.
    You cover them with favor like a shield.

Psalm 6

For the music leader. On stringed instruments. According to the eighth.^[b] A psalm of David.

6 Please, Lord,
    don’t punish me when you are angry;
    don’t discipline me when you are furious.
²Have mercy on me, Lord,
    because I’m frail.
Heal me, Lord,
    because my bones are shaking in terror!
³My whole body^[c] is completely terrified!
        But you, Lord! How long will this last?
⁴Come back to me, Lord! Deliver me!
    Save me for the sake of your faithful love!
⁵No one is going to praise you
    when they are dead.
Who gives you thanks
    from the grave?^[d]

⁶I’m worn out from groaning.
    Every night, I drench my bed with tears;
    I soak my couch all the way through.
⁷My vision fails because of my grief;
    it’s weak because of all my distress.
⁸Get away from me, all you evildoers,
    because the Lord has heard me crying!
⁹The Lord has listened to my request.
    The Lord accepts my prayer.
¹⁰All my enemies will be ashamed
    and completely terrified;
    they will be defeated
    and ashamed instantly.