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Evening Prayer of Trust

Answer me when I call, O my God Who is right and good! You have made a way for me when I needed help. Be kind to me, and hear my prayer.

O sons of men, how long will you turn my honor into shame? How long will you love what is of no use, and run after lies? Know that the Lord has set apart him who is God-like for Himself. The Lord hears when I call to Him.

Shake with anger and do not sin. When you are on your bed, look into your hearts and be quiet. Give the gifts that are right and good, and trust in the Lord.

Many are asking, “Who will show us any good?” Let the light of Your face shine on us, O Lord. You have filled my heart with more happiness than they have when there is much grain and wine. I will lie down and sleep in peace. O Lord, You alone keep me safe.

Prayer for Help

Hear my words, O Lord. Think about my crying. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God. For I pray to you. In the morning, O Lord, You will hear my voice. In the morning I will lay my prayers before You and will look up.

You are not a God Who is pleased with what is bad. The sinful cannot be with You. The proud cannot stand before You. You hate all who do wrong. You destroy those who tell lies. The Lord hates liars and men who kill other people.

But as for me, by Your great loving-kindness, I will come into Your house. At Your holy house I will put my face to the ground before You in love and fear. O Lord, lead me in what is right and good, because of the ones who hate me. Make Your way straight in front of me.

For in their talk there is no truth. Their hearts destroy. Their mouths are like an open grave. With their tongues, they say sweet-sounding words that are not true. 10 Hold them guilty, O God! Let them fall by their own plans. Throw them out because of their many sins. For they have fought against You. 11 But let all who put their trust in You be glad. Let them sing with joy forever. You make a covering for them, that all who love Your name may be glad in You. 12 For You will make those happy who do what is right, O Lord. You will cover them all around with Your favor.

Prayer for Help in Time of Trouble

O Lord, do not speak sharp words to me in Your anger, or punish me when You are angry. Be kind to me, O Lord, for I am weak. O Lord, heal me for my bones are shaken. My soul is in great suffering. But You, O Lord, how long? Return, O Lord. Set my soul free. Save me because of Your loving-kindness. No one remembers You when he is dead. Who gives You praise from the grave? I am tired of crying inside myself. All night long my pillow is wet with tears. I flood my bed with them. My eye has grown weak with sorrow. It has grown old because of all who hate me. Go away from me, all you who sin. For the Lord has heard the sound of my crying. The Lord has heard my cry for help. The Lord receives my prayer. 10 All those who hate me will be ashamed and worried. They will turn away. They will be put to shame right away.

Psalm 4[a]

For the director of music. With stringed instruments. A psalm of David.

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)

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)
Know that the Lord has set apart his faithful servant(H) for himself;
    the Lord hears(I) when I call to him.

Tremble and[d] do not sin;(J)
    when you are on your beds,(K)
    search your hearts and be silent.
Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
    and trust in the Lord.(L)

Many, Lord, are asking, “Who will bring us prosperity?”
    Let the light of your face shine on us.(M)
Fill my heart(N) with joy(O)
    when their grain and new wine(P) abound.

In 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.

Listen(T) to my words, Lord,
    consider my lament.(U)
Hear my cry for help,(V)
    my King and my God,(W)
    for to you I pray.

In the morning,(X) Lord, you hear my voice;
    in the morning I lay my requests before you
    and wait expectantly.(Y)
For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness;
    with you, evil people(Z) are not welcome.
The arrogant(AA) cannot stand(AB)
    in your presence.
You hate(AC) all who do wrong;
    you destroy those who tell lies.(AD)
The bloodthirsty and deceitful
    you, Lord, detest.
But I, by your great love,
    can come into your house;
in reverence(AE) I bow down(AF)
    toward your holy temple.(AG)

Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness(AH)
    because of my enemies—
    make your way straight(AI) before me.
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.

Lord, do not rebuke me in your anger(AT)
    or discipline me in your wrath.
Have mercy on me,(AU) Lord, for I am faint;(AV)
    heal me,(AW) Lord, for my bones are in agony.(AX)
My soul is in deep anguish.(AY)
    How long,(AZ) Lord, how long?

Turn,(BA) Lord, and deliver me;
    save me because of your unfailing love.(BB)
Among the dead no one proclaims your name.
    Who praises you from the grave?(BC)

I 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)
My eyes grow weak(BH) with sorrow;
    they fail because of all my foes.

Away from me,(BI) all you who do evil,(BJ)
    for the Lord has heard my weeping.
The Lord has heard my cry for mercy;(BK)
    the Lord accepts my prayer.
10 All my enemies will be overwhelmed with shame and anguish;(BL)
    they will turn back and suddenly be put to shame.(BM)

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 4:1 In Hebrew texts 4:1-8 is numbered 4:2-9.
  2. Psalm 4:2 Or seek lies
  3. Psalm 4:2 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verse 4.
  4. Psalm 4:4 Or In your anger (see Septuagint)
  5. Psalm 5:1 In Hebrew texts 5:1-12 is numbered 5:2-13.
  6. Psalm 6:1 In Hebrew texts 6:1-10 is numbered 6:2-11.
  7. Psalm 6:1 Title: Probably a musical term