The Book of Psalms

Psalms 5

For the choirmaster, to be accompanied by flutes. A Psalm of David.

Give Ear to My Words

1 Give ear to my words, O LORD;consider my groaning.

Attend to the sound of my cry,my King and my God,for to You I pray.

In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice;at daybreak I lay my plea before Youand wait in expectation.

For You are not a God who delights in wickedness;no evil can dwell with You.

The boastful cannot stand in Your presence;You hate all workers of iniquity.

You destroy those who tell lies;the LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.

But I will enter Your houseby the abundance of Your loving devotion;in reverence I will bow downtoward Your holy temple.Forms of the Hebrew chesed are translated here and in most cases throughout the Scriptures as loving devotion; the range of meaning includes love, goodness, kindness, faithfulness, and mercy, as well as loyalty to a covenant.

Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousnessbecause of my enemies;make straight Your way before me.

For not a word they speak can be trusted;destruction lies within them.Their throats are open graves;their tongues practice deceit.Or flattery; cited in Romans 3:13

Declare them guilty, O God;let them fall by their own devices.Drive them out for their many transgressions,for they have rebelled against You.

But let all who take refuge in You rejoice;let them ever shout for joy.May You shelter them,that those who love Your name may rejoice in You.

For surely You, O LORD, bless the righteous;You surround them with the shield of Your favor.