Old Testament
Psalms 5
Overview
Psalm 5 is a morning prayer in which David brings his cries to God at daybreak and waits expectantly for an answer. He grounds his appeal in God's holy character, declaring that the LORD takes no pleasure in wickedness and that the boastful, the liar, and the bloodthirsty cannot stand before Him. By contrast, David approaches God's house through His abundant mercy, asking to be led in righteousness past his watchful enemies. The psalm closes by asking God to judge the guilty while spreading His protection over all who take refuge in Him, so that they sing for joy.
1For the Chief Musician, with the flutes. A Psalm by David. Give ear to my words, Yahweh. Consider my meditation.
2Listen to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for I pray to you.
3Yahweh, in the morning you will hear my voice. In the morning I will lay my requests before you, and will watch expectantly.
4For you are not a God who has pleasure in wickedness. Evil can’t live with you.
5The arrogant will not stand in your sight. You hate all workers of iniquity.
6You will destroy those who speak lies. Yahweh abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
7But as for me, in the abundance of your loving kindness I will come into your house. I will bow toward your holy temple in reverence of you.
8Lead me, Yahweh, in your righteousness because of my enemies. Make your way straight before my face.
9For there is no faithfulness in their mouth. Their heart is destruction. Their throat is an open tomb. They flatter with their tongue.
10Hold them guilty, God. Let them fall by their own counsels. Thrust them out in the multitude of their transgressions, for they have rebelled against you.
11But let all those who take refuge in you rejoice. Let them always shout for joy, because you defend them. Let them also who love your name be joyful in you.
12For you will bless the righteous. Yahweh, you will surround him with favor as with a shield.