Psalm 4-6

Complete Jewish Bible

4 ⁽⁰⁾For the leader. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David:

²⁽¹⁾O God, my vindicator!
Answer me when I call!
When I was distressed, you set me free;
now have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.

³⁽²⁾Men of rank, how long will you shame my honor,
love what is vain, chase after lies? (Selah)
⁴⁽³⁾Understand that Adonai sets apart
the godly person for himself;
Adonai will hear when I call to him.
⁵⁽⁴⁾You can be angry, but do not sin!
Think about this as you lie in bed,
and calm down. (Selah)
⁶⁽⁵⁾Offer sacrifices rightly,
and put your trust in Adonai.

⁷⁽⁶⁾Many ask, “Who can show us some good?”
Adonai, lift the light of your face over us!
⁸⁽⁷⁾You have filled my heart with more joy
than all their grain and new wine.
⁹⁽⁸⁾I will lie down and sleep in peace;
for, Adonai, you alone make me live securely.

5 ⁽⁰⁾For the leader. On wind instruments. A psalm of David:

²⁽¹⁾Give ear to my words, Adonai,
consider my inmost thoughts.
³⁽²⁾Listen to my cry for help,
my king and my God, for I pray to you.
⁴⁽³⁾Adonai, in the morning you will hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my needs before you
and wait expectantly.

⁵⁽⁴⁾For you are not a God
who takes pleasure in wickedness;
evil cannot remain with you.
⁶⁽⁵⁾Those who brag cannot stand before your eyes,
you hate all who do evil,
⁷⁽⁶⁾you destroy those who tell lies,
Adonai detests men of blood and deceivers.

⁸⁽⁷⁾But I can enter your house
because of your great grace and love;
I will bow down toward your holy temple
in reverence for you.
⁹⁽⁸⁾Lead me, Adonai, in your righteousness
because of those lying in wait for me;
make your way straight before me.
¹⁰⁽⁹⁾For in their mouths there is nothing sincere,
within them are calamities,
their throats are open tombs,
they flatter with their tongues.
¹¹⁽¹⁰⁾God, declare them guilty!
Let them fall through their own intrigues,
For their many crimes, throw them down;
since they have rebelled against you.

¹²⁽¹¹⁾But let all who take refuge in you rejoice,
let them forever shout for joy!
Shelter them; and they will be glad,
those who love your name.
¹³⁽¹²⁾For you, Adonai, bless the righteous;
you surround them with favor like a shield.

6 ⁽⁰⁾For the leader. With stringed instruments. On sh’minit [low-pitched musical instruments?]. A psalm of David:

²⁽¹⁾Adonai, don’t rebuke me in your anger,
don’t discipline me in the heat of your fury.
³⁽²⁾Be gracious to me, Adonai,
because I am withering away;
heal me, Adonai,
because my bones are shaking;
⁴⁽³⁾I am completely terrified;
and you, Adonai — how long?
⁵⁽⁴⁾Come back, Adonai, and rescue me!
Save me for the sake of your grace;
⁶⁽⁵⁾for in death, no one remembers you;
in Sh’ol, who will praise you?

⁷⁽⁶⁾I am worn out with groaning;
all night I drench my bed with tears,
flooding my couch till it swims.
⁸⁽⁷⁾My vision is darkened with anger;
it grows weak because of all my foes.

⁹⁽⁸⁾Get away from me, all you workers of evil!
For Adonai has heard the sound of my weeping,
¹⁰⁽⁹⁾Adonai has heard my pleading,
Adonai will accept my prayer.
¹¹⁽¹⁰⁾All my enemies will be confounded,
completely terrified;
they will turn back
and be suddenly put to shame.