Psalm 5 (NRSV)
Read Psalm 5 on biblegateway.com
Verse 1Give ear to my words, O Lord; give heed to my sighing.
Verse 2Listen to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you I pray.
Verse 3O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I plead my case to you, and watch.
Verse 4For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil will not sojourn with you.
Verse 5The boastful will not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers.
Verse 6You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful.
Verse 7But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house, I will bow down toward your holy temple in awe of you.
Verse 8Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.
Verse 9For there is no truth in their mouths; their hearts are destruction; their throats are open graves; they flatter with their tongues.
Verse 10Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of their many transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you.
Verse 11But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, so that those who love your name may exult in you.
Verse 12For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover them with favor as with a shield.
Devotion
When we hurt, it is easy to fling accusations. We yearn to feel righteous in comparison with the “bad guys.” We crave reassurance that we are special and loved. Despite calls for vindication in today’s psalm, it ends with a plea for the healing that is most needed—a hiding place within the unassailable affection of God. Sometimes we need to cry aloud, alerting God that it is time for us to be cherished under God’s wings. And then we need to go there.
Prayer
Listen to the sound of my cry, O Holy Refuge; hide me under the shelter of your wings! From that safe place, teach me your righteousness—even toward my enemies. Amen.