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