Psalm 5 Contemporary English Version

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

A Prayer for Help

¹Listen, Lord, as I pray!
    Pay attention when I groan.^[a]
²You are my King and my God.
Answer my cry for help
    because I pray to you.
³Each morning you listen
    to my prayer,
as I bring my requests^[b] to you
    and wait for your reply.

⁴You are not the kind of God
who is pleased with evil.
    Sinners can't stay with you.
⁵No one who boasts can stand
in your presence, Lord,
    and you hate evil people.
⁶You destroy every liar,
and you despise violence
    and deceit.

⁷Because 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.
⁸You do what is right,
    and I ask you to guide me.
Make your teaching clear
    because of my enemies.

⁹^(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.
¹⁰Punish them, God,
and let their own plans
    bring their downfall.
Get rid of them!
They keep committing crimes
    and turning against you.

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