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Psalm 4-6
Easy-to-Read Version
Psalm 4-6
Easy-to-Read Version
To the director: With stringed instruments. A song of David.
4 God, you showed that I was innocent.
You gave me relief from all my troubles.
So listen to me now when I call to you for help.
Be kind to me and hear my prayer.
2 Men,[a] how long will you try to dishonor me?
Do you enjoy wasting your time searching for new lies against me? Selah
3 You can be sure that anyone who serves the Lord faithfully is special to him.
The Lord listens when I pray to him.
4 Tremble with fear, and stop sinning.[b]
Think about this when you go to bed, and calm down. Selah
5 Give the right sacrifices to the Lord,
and put your trust in him!
6 Many people say, “I wish I could enjoy the good life.
Lord, give us some of those blessings.”[c]
7 But you have made me happier than they will ever be with all their wine and grain.
8 When I go to bed, I sleep in peace,
because, Lord, you keep me safe.
To the director: With flutes.[d] A song of David.
5 Lord, listen to me
and understand what I am trying to say.
2 My God and King,
listen to my prayer.
3 Every morning, Lord, I lay my gifts before you
and look to you for help.
And every morning you hear my prayers.
4 God, you don’t want evil people near you.
They cannot stay in your presence.[e]
5 Fools[f] cannot come near you.
You hate those who do evil.
6 You destroy those who tell lies.
Lord, you hate those who make secret plans to hurt others.
7 But by your great mercy, I can enter your house.
I can worship in your holy Temple with fear and respect for you.
8 Lord, show me your right way of living,
and make it easy for me to follow.
People are looking for my weaknesses,
so show me how you want me to live.
9 My enemies never tell the truth.
They only want to destroy people.
Their words come from mouths that are like open graves.
They use their lying tongues to deceive others.[g]
10 Punish them, God!
Let them be caught in their own traps.
They have turned against you,
so punish them for their many crimes.
11 But let those who trust in you be happy forever.
Protect and strengthen those who love your name.
12 Lord, when you bless good people,
you surround them with your love, like a large shield that protects them.
To the director: With stringed instruments, on the sheminith. A song of David.
6 Lord, don’t punish me.
Don’t correct me when you are so angry.
2 Lord, be kind to me.
I am sick and weak.
Heal me, Lord!
My bones are shaking.
3 I am trembling all over.
Lord, how long until you heal me?[h]
4 Lord, come back and make me strong again.
Save me because you are so loyal and kind.
5 If I am dead, I cannot sing about you.
Those in the grave don’t praise you.
6 Lord, I am so weak.
I cried to you all night.
My pillow is soaked;
my bed is dripping wet from my tears.
7 My enemies have caused me such sorrow
that my eyes are worn out from crying.
8 Go away, you wicked people,
because the Lord has heard my cries.
9 The Lord has heard my request for mercy.
The Lord has accepted my prayer.
10 All my enemies will be filled with fear and shame.
They will be sorry when disgrace suddenly comes upon them.
Footnotes
- Psalm 4:2 Men Literally, “Sons of man.” This may be a term of respect spoken to the leaders who were judging the writer of this psalm.
- Psalm 4:4 Or “Be angry, but don’t sin.” See Eph. 4:26, which is based on the ancient Greek version.
- Psalm 4:6 I wish … blessings Or “Who will show us good. Lift up on us the light of your face, Lord.”
- Psalm 5:1 Psalm 5 With flutes This might be the name of a tune instead of a type of instrument.
- Psalm 5:4 Or “You are not a God who likes evil people, and they don’t respect you.”
- Psalm 5:5 Fools Here, this means people who do not follow God and his wise teachings.
- Psalm 5:9 They use … others Or “They say nice things to others, but only to trap them.”
- Psalm 6:3 Lord … heal me Literally, “As for you, Lord, how long?”
Psalm 4-6
New International Version
Psalm 4-6
New International Version
Psalm 4[a]
For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.
1 Answer 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)
2 How long will you people turn my glory(E) into shame?(F)
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods[b]?[c](G)
3 Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant(H) for himself;
the Lord hears(I) when I call to him.
4 Tremble and[d] do not sin;(J)
when you are on your beds,(K)
search your hearts and be silent.
5 Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
and trust in the Lord.(L)
6 Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
Let the light of your face shine on us.(M)
7 Fill my heart(N) with joy(O)
when their grain and new wine(P) abound.
Psalm 5[e]
For the director of music. For pipes. A psalm of David.
1 Listen(T) to my words, Lord,
consider my lament.(U)
2 Hear my cry for help,(V)
my King and my God,(W)
for to you I pray.
3 In the morning,(X) Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly.(Y)
4 For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness;
with you, evil people(Z) are not welcome.
5 The 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.
7 But I, by your great love,
can come into your house;
in reverence(AE) I bow down(AF)
toward your holy temple.(AG)
8 Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness(AH)
because of my enemies—
make your way straight(AI) before me.
9 Not 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)
10 Declare them guilty, O God!
Let their intrigues be their downfall.
Banish them for their many sins,(AL)
for they have rebelled(AM) against you.
11 But 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)
12 Surely, 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.
1 Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger(AT)
or discipline me in your wrath.
2 Have mercy on me,(AU) Lord, for I am faint;(AV)
heal me,(AW) Lord, for my bones are in agony.(AX)
3 My soul is in deep anguish.(AY)
How long,(AZ) Lord, how long?
4 Turn,(BA) Lord, and deliver me;
save me because of your unfailing love.(BB)
5 Among the dead no one proclaims your name.
Who praises you from the grave?(BC)
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
Easy-to-Read Version (ERV)
Copyright © 2006 by Bible League International
New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.