Psalm 5

The Refuge of the Righteous

For the choir director: with the flutes. A Davidic psalm.

1 Listen to my words, Lord;

consider my sighing. a

2 Pay attention to the sound of my cry, b

my King and my God, c

for I pray to You.

3 At daybreak, d Lord, You hear my voice;

at daybreak I plead my case to You e and watch expectantly.

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

evil cannot dwell with You. f

5 The boastful cannot stand in Your presence; g

You hate all evildoers. h

6 You destroy those who tell lies; i

the Lord abhors a man of bloodshed and treachery. j

7 But I enter Your house

by the abundance of Your faithful love; k

I bow down toward Your holy temple

in reverential awe of You. l

8 Lord, lead me in Your righteousness m

because of my adversaries; n

make Your way straight before me. o

9 For there is nothing reliable in what they say; p q

destruction is within them;

their throat is an open grave;

they flatter with their tongues. r

10 Punish them, God;

let them fall by their own schemes. s

Drive them out t because of their many crimes,

for they rebel against You. u

11 But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; v

let them shout for joy forever.

May You shelter them, w

and may those who love Your name boast about You. x

12 For You, Lord, bless the righteous one;

You surround him with favor like a shield. y