Psalm 4-6

New International Reader's Version

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

4 My faithful God,
answer me when I call out to you.
Give me rest from my trouble.
Have mercy on me. 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?
³Remember that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant for himself.
    The Lord hears me when I call out to him.

⁴Tremble and do not sin.
    When you are in bed,
    look deep down inside yourself and be silent.
⁵Offer to the Lord the sacrifices that godly people offer.
    Trust in him.

⁶Lord, many are asking, “Who will make us successful?”
    Lord, may you do good things for us.
⁷Fill my heart with joy
    when the people have lots of grain and fresh wine.
⁸In peace I will lie down and sleep.
    Lord, you alone keep me safe.

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

5 Lord, listen to my words.
    Pay attention when I mourn.
²My King and my God,
    hear 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.

⁴For you, God, 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 can come into your house.
With deep respect I 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 a desire to hurt 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 for joy.
Spread your cover over them and keep them safe.
    Then those who love you will be glad because of you.
¹²Surely, Lord, you bless those who do what is right.
    Like a shield, your loving care keeps them safe.

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

6 Lord, don’t correct me when you are angry.
    Don’t punish me when you are very angry.
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.
⁵Dead people can’t call out your name.
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 my enemies.

⁸Get away from me, all you who do evil.
    The Lord has heard my weeping.
⁹The Lord has heard my cry for his mercy.
    The Lord accepts my prayer.
¹⁰All my enemies will be covered with shame and trouble.
    They will turn back in shame. It will happen suddenly.

Psalm 4-6

New International Version

Psalm 4^[a]

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

¹Answer 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)

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

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

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

⁸In 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.

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

³In the morning,^(X) Lord, you hear my voice;
    in the morning I lay my requests before you
    and wait expectantly.^(Y)
⁴For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness;
    with you, evil people^(Z) are not welcome.
⁵The 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.
⁷But I, by your great love,
    can come into your house;
in reverence^(AE) I bow down^(AF)
    toward your holy temple.^(AG)

⁸Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness^(AH)
    because of my enemies—
    make your way straight^(AI) before me.
⁹Not 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)
¹⁰Declare them guilty, O God!
    Let their intrigues be their downfall.
Banish them for their many sins,^(AL)
    for they have rebelled^(AM) against you.
¹¹But 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)

¹²Surely, 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.

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

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

⁶I 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)
⁷My eyes grow weak^(BH) with sorrow;
they fail because of all my foes.

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

Footnotes

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

New International Reader's Version (NIRV)

New International Version (NIV)

Psalm 4-6

New International Reader's Version

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

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

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

Psalm 4-6

New International Version

Psalm 4^[a]

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

Psalm 5^[e]

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

Psalm 6^[f]

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

Footnotes

Cross references

More on the NIV

Psalm 4-6 New International Reader's Version

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

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

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

Psalm 4-6 New International Version

Psalm 4[a]

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

Psalm 5[e]

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

Psalm 6[f]

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

Footnotes

Cross references

More on the NIV

Psalm 4-6

New International Reader's Version

Psalm 4-6

New International Version

Psalm 4^[a]

Psalm 5^[e]

Psalm 6^[f]

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