Psalm 4–6

An Evening Prayer

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.

4Answer me when I pray to you,

my God who does what is right.

Make things easier for me when I am in trouble.

Have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

²People, how long will you turn my honor into shame?

How long will you love what is false and look for new lies?

Selah

³You know that the Lord has chosen for himself those who are loyal to him.

The Lord listens when I pray to him.

⁴When you are angry, do not sin.

Think about these things quietly

as you go to bed.

Selah

⁵Do what is right as a sacrifice to the Lord

and trust the Lord.

⁶Many people ask,

“Who will give us anything good?”

Lord, be kind to us.

⁷But you have made me very happy,

happier than they are,

even with all their grain and new wine.

⁸I go to bed and sleep in peace,

because, Lord, only you keep me safe.

A Morning Prayer for Protection

For the director of music. For flutes. A psalm of David.

5Lord, listen to my words.

Understand my sadness.

²Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God,

because I pray to you.

³Lord, every morning you hear my voice.

Every morning, I tell you what I need,

and I wait for your answer.

⁴You are not a God who is pleased with the wicked;

you do not live with those who do evil.

⁵Those people who make fun of you cannot stand before you.

You hate all those who do evil.

⁶You destroy liars;

the Lord hates those who kill and trick others.

⁷Because of your great love,

I can come into your Temple.

Because I fear and respect you,

I can worship in your holy Temple.

⁸Lord, since I have many enemies,

show me the right thing to do.

Show me clearly how you want me to live.

⁹My enemies’ mouths do not tell the truth;

in their hearts they want to destroy others.

Their throats are like open graves;

they use their tongues for telling lies.

¹⁰God, declare them guilty!

Let them fall into their own traps.

Send them away because their sins are many;

they have turned against you.

¹¹But let everyone who trusts you be happy;

let them sing glad songs forever.

Protect those who love you

and who are happy because of you.

¹²Lord, you bless those who do what is right;

you protect them like a soldier’s shield.

A Prayer for Mercy in Troubled Times

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. Upon the sheminith. A psalm of David.

6Lord, don’t correct me when you are angry;

don’t punish me when you are very angry.

²Lord, have mercy on me because I am weak.

Heal me, Lord, because my bones ache.

³I am very upset.

Lord, how long will it be?

⁴Lord, return and save me;

save me because of your kindness.

⁵Dead people don’t remember you;

those in the grave don’t praise you.

⁶I am tired of crying to you.

Every night my bed is wet with tears;

my bed is soaked from my crying.

⁷My eyes are weak from so much crying;

they are weak from crying about my enemies.

⁸Get away from me, all you who do evil,

because the Lord has heard my crying.

⁹The Lord has heard my cry for help;

the Lord will answer my prayer.

¹⁰All my enemies will be ashamed and troubled.

They will turn and suddenly leave in shame.