Psalms: Songs of God’s Protection and Mercy

Psalms 4, 5, & 6

“For the choir director; on stringed instruments. A Psalm of David.

Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have relieved me in my distress; Be gracious to me and hear my prayer.

O sons of men, how long will my honor become a reproach? How long will you love what is worthless and aim at deception? Selah.

 But know that the LORD has set apart the godly man for Himself; The LORD hears when I call to Him.

Tremble, and do not sin; Meditate in your heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.

 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, And trust in the LORD.

Many are saying, “Who will show us any good?” Lift up the light of Your countenance upon us, O LORD!

 You have put gladness in my heart, More than when their grain and new wine abound.

 In peace I will both lie down and sleep, For You alone, O LORD, make me to dwell in safety.

For the choir director; for flute accompaniment. A Psalm of David.

Give ear to my words, O LORD, Consider my groaning.

 Heed the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God, For to You I pray.

 In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch.

For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; No evil dwells with You.

 The boastful shall not stand before Your eyes; You hate all who do iniquity.

 You destroy those who speak falsehood; The LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.

 But as for me, by Your abundant lovingkindness I will enter Your house, At Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You.

O LORD, lead me in Your righteousness because of my foes; Make Your way straight before me.

 There is nothing reliable in what they say; Their inward part is destruction itself. Their throat is an open grave; They flatter with their tongue.

 Hold them guilty, O God; By their own devices let them fall! In the multitude of their transgressions thrust them out, For they are rebellious against You.

But let all who take refuge in You be glad, Let them ever sing for joy; And may You shelter them, That those who love Your name may exult in You.

 For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD, You surround him with favor as with a shield.

For the choir director; with stringed instruments, upon an eight-string lyre. A Psalm of David.

O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger, Nor chasten me in Your wrath.

 Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am pining away; Heal me, O LORD, for my bones are dismayed.

 And my soul is greatly dismayed; But You, O LORD — how long?

Return, O LORD, rescue my soul; Save me because of Your lovingkindness.

 For there is no mention of You in death; In Sheol who will give You thanks?

I am weary with my sighing; Every night I make my bed swim, I dissolve my couch with my tears.

 My eye has wasted away with grief; It has become old because of all my adversaries.

Depart from me, all you who do iniquity, For the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping.

 The LORD has heard my supplication, The LORD receives my prayer.

 All my enemies will be ashamed and greatly dismayed; They shall turn back, they will suddenly be ashamed.”

(Psalms 4:0–6:10 NAS95)