Psalms 5; Psalms 38; Psalms 41; Psalms 42

1 Hear my words, LORD! Consider my groans!

2 Pay attention to the sound of my cries, my king and my God, because I am praying to you!

3 LORD, in the morning you hear my voice. In the morning I lay it all out before you. Then I wait expectantly.

4 Because you aren't a God who enjoys wickedness; evil doesn't live with you.

5 Arrogant people won't last long in your sight; you hate all evildoers;

6 you destroy liars. The LORD despises people who are violent and dishonest.

7 But me? I will enter your house because of your abundant, faithful love; I will bow down at your holy temple, honoring you.

8 LORD, because of many enemies, please lead me in your righteousness. Make your way clear, right in front of me.

9 Because there's no truth in my enemies' mouths, all they have inside them is destruction. Their throats are open graves; their tongues slick with talk.

10 Condemn them, God! Let them fail by their own plans. Throw them out for their many sins because they've rebelled against you.

11 But let all who take refuge in you celebrate. Let them sing out loud forever! Protect them so that all who love your name can rejoice in you.

12 Because you, LORD, bless the righteous. You cover them with favor like a shield.

1 Please, LORD, don't punish me when you are mad; don't discipline me when you are furious.

2 Your arrows have pierced me; your fist has come down hard on me.

3 There's nothing in my body that isn't broken because of your rage; there's no health in my bones because of my sin.

4 My wrongdoings are stacked higher than my head; they are a weight that's way too heavy for me.

5 My wounds reek; they are all infected because of my stupidity.

6 I am hunched over, completely down; I wander around all day long, sad.

7 My insides are burning up; there's nothing in my body that isn't broken.

8 I'm worn out, completely crushed; I groan because of my miserable heart.

9 Everything I long for is laid out before you, my Lord; my sighs aren't hidden from you.

10 My heart pounds; my strength abandons me. Even the light of my eyes is gone.

11 My loved ones and friends keep their distance from me in my sickness; those who were near me now stay far away.

12 Those who want me dead lay traps; those who want me harmed utter threats, muttering lies all day long.

13 But I'm like someone who is deaf, who can't hear; like someone who can't speak, whose mouth won't open.

14 I've become like a person who doesn't hear what is being said, whose mouth has no good comeback.

15 But I wait for you, LORD! You will answer, my Lord, my God!

16 Because I prayed: "Don't let them celebrate over me or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips,"

17 because I'm very close to falling, and my pain is always with me.

18 Yes, I confess my wrongdoing; I'm worried about my sin.

19 But my mortal enemies are so strong; those who hate me for no reason seem countless.

20 Those who give, repay good with evil; they oppose me for pursuing good.

21 Don't leave me all alone, LORD! Please, my God, don't be far from me!

22 Come quickly and help me, my Lord, my salvation!

1 Those who pay close attention to the poor are truly happy! The LORD rescues them during troubling times.

2 The LORD protects them and keeps them alive; they are widely regarded throughout the land as happy people. You won't hand them over to the will of their enemies.

3 The LORD will strengthen them when they are lying in bed, sick. You will completely transform the place where they lie ill.

4 But me? I said, "LORD, have mercy on me! Heal me because I have sinned against you."

5 My enemies speak maliciously about me: "When will he die and his name disappear?"

6 Whenever they come to visit, they say nothing of value. Their hearts collect evil gossip; once they leave, they tell it to everybody.

7 All of those who hate me talk about me, whispering to each other, plotting evil against me:

8 "Some horrible thing has been poured into him; the next time he lies down, he won't get up.

9 Even my good friend, the one I trusted, who shared my food, has kicked me with his heel—a betrayer!

10 But you, LORD, please have mercy on me and lift me up so I can pay them back!

11 Then I'll know you are pleased with me because my enemy won't be shouting in triumph over me.

12 You support me in my integrity; you put me in your presence forever.

13 Bless the LORD, the God of Israel, from forever to forever! Amen and Amen!

1 Just like a deer that craves streams of water, my whole being craves you, God.

2 My whole being thirsts for God, for the living God. When will I come and see God's face?

3 My tears have been my food both day and night, as people constantly questioned me, "Where's your God now?"

4 But I remember these things as I bare my soul: how I made my way to the mighty one's abode, to God's own house, with joyous shouts and thanksgiving songs— a huge crowd celebrating the festival!

5 Why, I ask myself, are you so depressed? Why are you so upset inside? Hope in God! Because I will again give him thanks, my saving presence and my God.

6 My whole being is depressed. That's why I remember you from the land of Jordan and Hermon, from Mount Mizar.

7 Deep called to deep at the noise of your waterfalls; all your massive waves surged over me.

8 By day the LORD commands his faithful love; by night his song is with me— a prayer to the God of my life.

9 I will say to God, my solid rock, "Why have you forgotten me? Why do I have to walk around, sad, oppressed by enemies?"

10 With my bones crushed, my foes make fun of me, constantly questioning me: "Where's your God now?"

11 Why, I ask myself, are you so depressed? Why are you so upset inside? Hope in God! Because I will again give him thanks, my saving presence and my God.