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.†

2Pay attention to the sound of my cry,†

my King and my God,†

for I pray to you.

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

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

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

evil cannot dwell with you.†

5The boastful cannot stand in your sight;†

you hate all evildoers.†

6You destroy those who tell lies;†

the Lord abhors violent and treacherous people.†

7But I enter your house

by the abundance of your faithful love;†

I bow down toward your holy temple

in reverential awe of you.†

8Lord, lead me in your righteousness†

because of my adversaries;

make your way straight before me.†

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

destruction is within them;

their throat is an open grave;

they flatter with their tongues.†

10Punish them, God;

let them fall by their own schemes.†

Drive them out† because of their many crimes,

for they rebel against you.†

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

let them shout for joy forever.

May you shelter them,†

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

12For you, Lord, bless the righteous one;

you surround him with favor like a shield.†