Psalms 5: Directing My Prayer in the Morning
David asks God to hear him each morning and lead him straight.
Where Psalms 4 is an evening prayer, this chapter opens the day, with David promising to direct his prayer to the LORD each morning and look up expectantly. He contrasts God's holiness, which cannot tolerate wickedness, with the flattering, deceitful speech of his enemies.
To the Overseer, `Concerning the Inheritances.' -- A Psalm of David. My sayings hear, O Jehovah, Consider my meditation.
Be attentive to the voice of my cry, My king and my God, For unto Thee I pray habitually.
Jehovah, `at' morning Thou hearest my voice, `At' morning I set in array for Thee, And I look out.
For not a God desiring wickedness `art' Thou, Evil inhabiteth Thee not.
The boastful station not themselves before Thine eyes: Thou hast hated all working iniquity.
Thou destroyest those speaking lies, A man of blood and deceit Jehovah doth abominate.
And I, in the abundance of Thy kindness, I enter Thy house, I bow myself toward Thy holy temple in Thy fear.
O Jehovah, lead me in Thy righteousness, Because of those observing me, Make straight before me Thy way,
For there is no stability in their mouth. Their heart `is' mischiefs, An open grave `is' their throat, Their tongue they make smooth.
Declare them guilty, O God, Let them fall from their own counsels, In the abundance of their transgressions Drive them away, Because they have rebelled against Thee.
And rejoice do all trusting in Thee, To the age they sing, and Thou coverest them over, And those loving Thy name exult in Thee.
For Thou blessest the righteous, O Jehovah, As a buckler with favour dost compass him!