Psalm 4–6

Psalm 4

For the choir director; with stringed instruments; a psalm by David. 

¹Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness. 

You have freed me from my troubles. 

Have pity on me, and hear my prayer! 

²You important people, 

how long are you going to insult my honor? 

How long are you going to love what is empty 

and seek what is a lie? 

Selah 

³Know that the Lord singles out godly people for himself. 

The Lord hears me when I call to him. 

⁴Tremble and do not sin. 

Think about this on your bed and remain quiet. 

Selah 

⁵Offer the sacrifices of righteousness 

by trusting the Lord. 

⁶Many are saying, “Who can show us anything good?” 

Let the light of your presence shine on us, O Lord. 

⁷You put more joy in my heart 

than when their grain and new wine increase. 

⁸I fall asleep in peace the moment I lie down 

because you alone, O Lord, enable me to live securely. 

Psalm 5

For the choir director; for flutes; a psalm by David. 

¹Open your ears to my words, O Lord. 

Consider my innermost thoughts. 

²Pay attention to my cry for help, my king and my God, 

because I pray only to you. 

³In the morning, O Lord, hear my voice. 

In the morning I lay my needs in front of you, 

and I wait. 

⁴You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness. 

Evil will never be your guest. 

⁵Those who brag cannot stand in your sight. 

You hate all troublemakers. 

⁶You destroy those who tell lies. 

The Lord is disgusted with bloodthirsty and deceitful people. 

⁷But I will enter your house because of your great mercy. 

Out of reverence for you, I will bow toward your holy temple. 

⁸O Lord, lead me in your righteousness because of those who spy on me. 

Make your way in front of me smooth. 

⁹Nothing in their mouths is truthful. 

Destruction comes from their hearts. 

Their throats are open graves. 

They flatter with their tongues. 

¹⁰Condemn them, O God. 

Let their own schemes be their downfall. 

Throw them out for their many crimes 

because they have rebelled against you. 

¹¹But let all who take refuge in you rejoice. 

Let them sing with joy forever. 

Protect them, and let those who love your name triumph in you. 

¹²You bless righteous people, O Lord. 

Like a large shield, you surround them with your favor. 

Psalm 6

For the choir director; with stringed instruments, on the sheminith;^aa psalm by David. 

¹O Lord, do not punish me in your anger 

or discipline me in your rage. 

²Have pity on me, O Lord, because I am weak. 

Heal me, O Lord, because my bones shake with terror. 

³My soul has been deeply shaken with terror. 

But you, O Lord, how long …? 

⁴Come back, O Lord. 

Rescue me. 

Save me because of your mercy! 

⁵In death, no one remembers you. 

In the grave, who praises you? 

⁶I am worn out from my groaning. 

My eyes flood my bed every night. 

I soak my couch with tears. 

⁷My eyes blur from grief. 

They fail because of my enemies. 

⁸Get away from me, all you troublemakers, 

because the Lord has heard the sound of my crying. 

⁹The Lord has heard my plea for mercy. 

The Lord accepts my prayer. 

¹⁰All my enemies will be put to shame and deeply shaken with terror. 

In a moment they will retreat and be put to shame.