Psalm 5

The Refuge of the Righteous

For the choir director: with the flutes. A psalm of David.

Listen to my words, Lord;

consider my sighing.a

2Pay attention to the sound of my cry,a

my King and my God,b

for I pray to you.

3In the morning,a Lord, you hear my voice;

in the morning I plead my case to youb and watch expectantly.

4For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;

evil cannot dwell with you.a

5The boastful cannot stand in your sight;a

you hate all evildoers.b

6You destroy those who tell lies;a

the Lord abhors violent and treacherous people.b

7But I enter your house

by the abundance of your faithful love;a

I bow down toward your holy temple

in reverential awe of you.b

8Lord, lead me in your righteousnessa

because of my adversaries;

make your way straight before me.b

9For there is nothing reliable in what they say;a

destruction is within them;

their throat is an open grave;

they flatter with their tongues.b

10Punish them, God;

let them fall by their own schemes.a

Drive them outb because of their many crimes,

for they rebel against you.c

11But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;a

let them shout for joy forever.

May you shelter them,b

and may those who love your name boast about you.c

12For you, Lord, bless the righteous one;

you surround him with favor like a shield.a