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Psalm 5[a]

Prayer for Divine Help

For the leader; with wind instruments. A psalm of David.

I

Give ear to my words, O Lord;
    understand my sighing.(A)
Attend to the sound of my cry,
    my king and my God!
For to you I will pray, Lord;
    in the morning you will hear my voice;
    in the morning I will plead before you and wait.(B)

II

You are not a god who delights in evil;
    no wicked person finds refuge with you;
    the arrogant cannot stand before your eyes.
You hate all who do evil;
    you destroy those who speak falsely.(C)
A bloody and fraudulent man
    the Lord abhors.

III

But I, through the abundance of your mercy,[b]
    will enter into your house.
I will bow down toward your holy sanctuary
    out of fear of you.(D)
Lord, guide me in your justice because of my foes;
    make straight your way before me.(E)

IV

10 For there is no sincerity in their mouth;
    their heart is corrupt.
Their throat[c] is an open grave;(F)
    on their tongue are subtle lies.
11 Declare them guilty, God;
    make them fall by their own devices.(G)
Drive them out for their many sins;
    for they have rebelled against you.

V

12 Then all who trust in you will be glad
    and forever shout for joy.(H)
You will protect them and those will rejoice in you
    who love your name.
13 For you, Lord, bless the just one;
    you surround him with favor like a shield.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 5 A lament contrasting the security of the house of God (Ps 5:8–9, 12–13) with the danger of the company of evildoers (Ps 5:5–7, 10–11). The psalmist therefore prays that God will hear (Ps 5:2–4) and grant the protection and joy of the Temple.
  2. 5:8 Mercy: used to translate the Hebrew word, hesed. This term speaks to a relationship between persons. It is manifested in concrete actions to persons with some need or desire. The one who offers hesed has the ability to respond to that need of the other person. Other possible ways to translate hesed include “steadfast love” and “loving kindness.”
  3. 5:10 Their throat: their speech brings harm to their hearers (cf. Jer 5:16). The verse mentions four parts of the body, each a source of evil to the innocent.

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.