Psalms 5

Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.

1LORD, please listen to my words. Please pay attention to my quiet crying.

2Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.

2Listen to the sound of my cry, my King and my God. I am praying to you.

3My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.

3LORD, you hear my voice in the morning. When the sun comes up, I bring you my prayer. Then I wait and watch for you.

4For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.

4You are not a God who is happy about evil. Nothing bad can stay with you.

5The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.

5People who brag cannot stand in front of you. You hate everyone who does wrong.

6Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.

6You destroy people who tell lies. LORD, you hate a person who kills and cheats.

Note"Leasing" in the old English of the King James Bible means lying. It has nothing to do with renting.

7But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.

7But I will come into your house. I come because your love is so great. I will bow down toward your holy temple with deep respect.

8Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.

8LORD, show me the right way to go. My enemies are watching me. Make your path straight and clear in front of me.

9For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.

9Nothing they say can be trusted. Inside they are full of harm. Their throats are like open graves. Their tongues say sweet words that are not true.

NoteA grave that is open is not filled in yet. The picture is of words that bring death.

10Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.

10God, say that they are guilty. Let their own plans trip them up. Send them away because they keep doing wrong. They have turned against you.

11But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.

11But let everyone who runs to you for safety be glad. Let them shout for joy forever. Keep them safe. Then those who love your name will be full of joy in you.

12For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

12LORD, you do good things for people who do right. Your kindness goes all around them like a shield.

NoteA shield is a big piece of metal or wood. A soldier held it up to stop arrows and swords.