English Standard Version ESV
The Message Bible MSG
1 Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning.
1
Listen, God! Please, pay attention! Can you make sense of these ramblings,
2 Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray.
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my groans and cries? King-God, I need your help.
3 O LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.
3
Every morning you'll hear me at it again. Every morning I lay out the pieces of my life on your altar and watch for fire to descend.
4 For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you.
4
You don't socialize with Wicked, or invite Evil over as your houseguest.
5 The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers.
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Hot-Air-Boaster collapses in front of you; you shake your head over Mischief-Maker.
6 You destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
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God destroys Lie-Speaker; Blood-Thirsty and Truth-Bender disgust you.
7 But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you.
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And here I am, your invited guest - it's incredible! I enter your house; here I am, prostrate in your inner sanctum,
8 Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.
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Waiting for directions to get me safely through enemy lines.
9 For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue.
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Every word they speak is a land mine; their lungs breathe out poison gas. Their throats are gaping graves, their tongues slick as mudslides.
10 Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you.
10
Pile on the guilt, God! Let their so-called wisdom wreck them. Kick them out! They've had their chance.
11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.
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But you'll welcome us with open arms when we run for cover to you. Let the party last all night! Stand guard over our celebration.
12 For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield.
12
You are famous, God, for welcoming God-seekers, for decking us out in delight.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.