Psalm 4:1–6:10

¹My faithful God,

answer me when I call out to you.

Give me rest from my trouble.

Show me your favor. Hear my prayer.

²How long will you people turn my glory into shame?

How long will you love what will certainly fail you?

How long will you pray to statues of gods? Selah

³Remember that the Lord has set his faithful people apart for himself.

The Lord will hear me when I call out to him.

⁴When you are angry, do not sin.

When you are in bed,

look deep down inside you and be silent. Selah

⁵Offer sacrifices to the Lord in the right way.

Trust in him.

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

Lord, let us see your face smiling on us with favor.

⁷You have filled my heart with great joy.

It is greater than the joy of people who have lots of grain and fresh wine.

⁸I will lie down and sleep in peace.

Lord, you alone keep me safe.

Psalm 5

For the director of music. A psalm of David to be played on flutes.

¹Lord, listen to my words.

Pay attention when I sigh.

²My King and my God,

listen to me when I cry for help.

I pray to you.

³Lord, in the morning you hear my voice.

In the morning I pray to you.

I wait for you in hope.

⁴God, you aren’t happy with anything that is evil.

Those who do what is wrong can’t live where you are.

⁵Those who are proud can’t stand in front of you.

You hate everyone who does what is evil.

⁶You destroy those who tell lies.

Lord, you hate murderers and those who cheat others.

⁷Because of your great love

I will come into your house.

With deep respect I will bow down

toward your holy temple.

⁸Lord, I have many enemies.

Lead me in your right path.

Make your way smooth and straight for me.

⁹Not a word from their mouths can be trusted.

Their hearts are filled with plans to destroy others.

Their throats are like open graves.

With their tongues they tell lies.

¹⁰God, show that they are guilty.

Let their evil plans bring them down.

Send them away because of their many sins.

They have refused to obey you.

¹¹But let all those who go to you for safety be glad.

Let them always sing with joy.

Spread your cover over them and keep them safe.

Then those who love you will be glad because of you.

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

Like a shield, your loving care keeps them safe.

Psalm 6

For the director of music. For sheminith. A psalm of David to be played on stringed instruments.

¹Lord, don’t correct me when you are angry.

Don’t punish me when you are burning with anger.

²Lord, have mercy on me. I’m so weak.

Lord, heal me. My body is full of pain.

³My soul is very troubled.

Lord, how long will it be until you save me?

⁴Lord, turn to me and help me.

Save me. Your love never fails.

⁵People can’t remember you when they are dead.

How can they praise you when they are in the grave?

⁶My groaning has worn me out.

All night long my tears flood my bed.

My bed is wet because of my crying.

⁷I’m so sad I can’t see very well.

My eyesight gets worse because of all of my enemies.

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

The Lord has heard my sobbing.

⁹The Lord has heard my cry for his favor.

The Lord accepts my prayer.

¹⁰All of my enemies will be troubled and put to shame.

They will turn back in dishonor. It will happen suddenly.