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Psalm 4-6
Contemporary English Version

(A psalm by David for the music leader. Use stringed instruments.)

An Evening Prayer

1 You are my God and protector.
    Please answer my prayer.
I was in terrible distress,
    but you set me free.
Now have pity and listen
    as I pray.

2 How long will you people
    refuse to respect me?[a]
You love foolish things,
and you run after
    what is worthless.[b]

3 The Lord has chosen
    everyone who is faithful
to be his very own,[c]
    and he answers my prayers.
4 (A) But each of you
had better tremble
    and turn from your sins.
Silently search your heart
    as you lie in bed.
5 Offer the proper sacrifices
    and trust the Lord.

6 There are some who ask,
    “Who will be good to us?”
Let your kindness, Lord,
    shine brightly on us.
7 You brought me more happiness
than a rich harvest
    of grain and grapes.
8 I can lie down
    and sleep soundly
because you, Lord,
    will keep me safe.

(A psalm by David for the music leader. Use flutes.)

A Prayer for Help

1 Listen, Lord, as I pray!
    Pay attention when I groan.[d]
2 You are my King and my God.
Answer my cry for help
    because I pray to you.
3 Each morning you listen
    to my prayer,
as I bring my requests[e] to you
    and wait for your reply.

4 You are not the kind of God
who is pleased with evil.
    Sinners can't stay with you.
5 No one who boasts can stand
in your presence, Lord,
    and you hate evil people.
6 You destroy every liar,
and you despise violence
    and deceit.

7 Because of your great mercy,
    I come to your house, Lord,
and I am filled with wonder
as I bow down to worship
    at your holy temple.
8 You do what is right,
    and I ask you to guide me.
Make your teaching clear
    because of my enemies.

9 (B) Nothing they say is true!
    They just want to destroy.
Their words are deceitful
    like a hidden pit,
and their tongues are good
    only for telling lies.
10 Punish them, God,
and let their own plans
    bring their downfall.
Get rid of them!
They keep committing crimes
    and turning against you.

11 Let all who run to you
for protection
    always sing joyful songs.
Provide shelter for those
who truly love you
    and let them rejoice.
12 Our Lord, you bless those
    who live right,
and you shield them
    with your kindness.

(A psalm by David for the music leader. Use stringed instruments.[f])

A Prayer in Time of Trouble

1 (C) Don't punish me, Lord,
or even correct me
    when you are angry!
2 Have pity on me and heal
    my feeble body.
My bones tremble with fear,
3 and I am in deep distress.
    How long will it be?

4 Turn and come to my rescue.
Show your wonderful love
    and save me, Lord.
5 If I die, I cannot praise you
    or even remember you.
6 My groaning has worn me out.
At night my bed and pillow
    are soaked with tears.
7 Sorrow has made my eyes dim,
and my sight has failed
    because of my enemies.

8 (D) You, Lord, heard my crying,
and those hateful people
    had better leave me alone.
9 You have answered my prayer
    and my plea for mercy.
10 My enemies will be ashamed
    and terrified,
as they quickly run away
    in complete disgrace.

Footnotes

  1. 4.2 me: Or “my God.”
  2. 4.2 foolish … worthless: This may refer to idols and false gods.
  3. 4.3 has chosen … very own: Some Hebrew manuscripts have “work miracles for his faithful people.”
  4. 5.1 when I groan: Or “to my thoughts” or “to my words.”
  5. 5.3 requests: Or “sacrifices.”
  6. Psalm 6 instruments: The Hebrew text adds “according to the sheminith,” which may refer to a musical instrument with eight strings.
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Psalm 4-6
New International Version

Psalm 4[a]

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

1 Answer me(A) when I call to you,
    my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;(B)
    have mercy(C) on me and hear my prayer.(D)

2 How long will you people turn my glory(E) into shame?(F)
    How long will you love delusions and seek false gods[b]?[c](G)
3 Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant(H) for himself;
    the Lord hears(I) when I call to him.

4 Tremble and[d] do not sin;(J)
    when you are on your beds,(K)
    search your hearts and be silent.
5 Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
    and trust in the Lord.(L)

6 Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
    Let the light of your face shine on us.(M)
7 Fill my heart(N) with joy(O)
    when their grain and new wine(P) abound.

8 In peace(Q) I will lie down and sleep,(R)
    for you alone, Lord,
    make me dwell in safety.(S)

Psalm 5[e]

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

1 Listen(T) to my words, Lord,
    consider my lament.(U)
2 Hear my cry for help,(V)
    my King and my God,(W)
    for to you I pray.

3 In the morning,(X) Lord, you hear my voice;
    in the morning I lay my requests before you
    and wait expectantly.(Y)
4 For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness;
    with you, evil people(Z) are not welcome.
5 The arrogant(AA) cannot stand(AB)
    in your presence.
You hate(AC) all who do wrong;
6     you destroy those who tell lies.(AD)
The bloodthirsty and deceitful
    you, Lord, detest.
7 But I, by your great love,
    can come into your house;
in reverence(AE) I bow down(AF)
    toward your holy temple.(AG)

8 Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness(AH)
    because of my enemies—
    make your way straight(AI) before me.
9 Not a word from their mouth can be trusted;
    their heart is filled with malice.
Their throat is an open grave;(AJ)
    with their tongues they tell lies.(AK)
10 Declare them guilty, O God!
    Let their intrigues be their downfall.
Banish them for their many sins,(AL)
    for they have rebelled(AM) against you.
11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
    let them ever sing for joy.(AN)
Spread your protection over them,
    that those who love your name(AO) may rejoice in you.(AP)

12 Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;(AQ)
    you surround them(AR) with your favor as with a shield.(AS)

Psalm 6[f]

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. According to sheminith.[g] A psalm of David.

1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger(AT)
    or discipline me in your wrath.
2 Have mercy on me,(AU) Lord, for I am faint;(AV)
    heal me,(AW) Lord, for my bones are in agony.(AX)
3 My soul is in deep anguish.(AY)
    How long,(AZ) Lord, how long?

4 Turn,(BA) Lord, and deliver me;
    save me because of your unfailing love.(BB)
5 Among the dead no one proclaims your name.
    Who praises you from the grave?(BC)

6 I am worn out(BD) from my groaning.(BE)

All night long I flood my bed with weeping(BF)
    and drench my couch with tears.(BG)
7 My eyes grow weak(BH) with sorrow;
    they fail because of all my foes.

8 Away from me,(BI) all you who do evil,(BJ)
    for the Lord has heard my weeping.
9 The Lord has heard my cry for mercy;(BK)
    the Lord accepts my prayer.
10 All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish;(BL)
    they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.(BM)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 4:1 In Hebrew texts 4:1-8 is numbered 4:2-9.
  2. Psalm 4:2 Or seek lies
  3. Psalm 4:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 4.
  4. Psalm 4:4 Or In your anger (see Septuagint)
  5. Psalm 5:1 In Hebrew texts 5:1-12 is numbered 5:2-13.
  6. Psalm 6:1 In Hebrew texts 6:1-10 is numbered 6:2-11.
  7. Psalm 6:1 Title: Probably a musical term
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