Psalm 5(5) Verba mea auribus

1 (To the choir-master. On the flute. A psalm. Of David.)

2 Lord, listen to my plea, let me not sigh in vain;

3 pay heed to my cry of petition, my King, my God.

4 To thee, Lord, my prayer goes up, early to win thy audience;

5 early in the morning I lay my petition before thee and await thy pleasure. No evil thing claims thy divine assent;

6 with thee baseness cannot dwell; nor rebellion hold its ground at thy coming.

7 Thou hatest the wrongdoer, and wilt bring the liar to destruction; blood-thirsty and treacherous men the Lord holds in abhorrence.

8 I, then, encompassed by thy mercy, will betake myself to thy house, and in reverence of thee bow down before thy sanctuary.

9 Lord, do thou lead me with faithful care; clear show the path, while I walk beset by enemies.

10 In their speech no truth can be found; their hearts are all treachery,

11 their mouths gaping tombs; flattering is ever on their lips. Thy scourge, O God! Cheat them of their hopes, cast them out in all their wickedness; have they not defied thee?

12 But for all those who trust in thee there is joy and everlasting triumph; welcome protection they have from thee, true lovers of thy name.

13 Lord, thou givest thy benediction to the just; thou dost throw thy loving-kindness about us like a shield. (KNOX)