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To the director: With flutes.[a] A song of David.

Lord, listen to me
    and understand what I am trying to say.
My God and King,
    listen to my prayer.
Every morning, Lord, I lay my gifts before you
    and look to you for help.
And every morning you hear my prayers.

God, you don’t want evil people near you.
    They cannot stay in your presence.[b]
Fools[c] cannot come near you.
    You hate those who do evil.
You destroy those who tell lies.
    Lord, you hate those who make secret plans to hurt others.

But by your great mercy, I can enter your house.
    I can worship in your holy Temple with fear and respect for you.
Lord, show me your right way of living,
    and make it easy for me to follow.
People are looking for my weaknesses,
    so show me how you want me to live.
My enemies never tell the truth.
    They only want to destroy people.
Their words come from mouths that are like open graves.
    They use their lying tongues to deceive others.[d]
10 Punish them, God!
    Let them be caught in their own traps.
They have turned against you,
    so punish them for their many crimes.
11 But let those who trust in you be happy forever.
    Protect and strengthen those who love your name.
12 Lord, when you bless good people,
    you surround them with your love, like a large shield that protects them.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 5:1 Psalm 5 With flutes This might be the name of a tune instead of a type of instrument.
  2. Psalm 5:4 Or “You are not a God who likes evil people, and they don’t respect you.”
  3. Psalm 5:5 Fools Here, this means people who do not follow God and his wise teachings.
  4. Psalm 5:9 They use … others Or “They say nice things to others, but only to trap them.”

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.