PSALM IV.

A prayer for deliverance from enemies; with a remonstrance to them, and expressions of confidence in divine aid. It may, with the last psalm, have been occasioned by the rebellion of Absalom. But it is rather remarkable that there is no particular allusion to the affecting circumstance of David's own son being at the head of it.

For the leader of the music; to be accompanied with stringed instruments. A psalm of David.

1

HEAR me, when I call, O God of my righteousness! Thou hast helped me, when I was in trouble,

Have pity upon me, and hear my prayer!

2 How long, O men, will ye dishonor my dignity? How long will ye love vanity, and seek disappointment? 3 Know ye that the Lord hath exalted one that is devoted

to him;

The Lord will hear, when I call

4 Stand in awe, and sin no more!

upon him.

Commune with your hearts upon your beds, and desist! 5 Offer righteous sacrifices,

And put your trust in the Lord!

6 There are many who say, Who will show us any good?

Lord, lift thou up the light of thy countenance upon us!

7 Thou puttest gladness into my heart,

Greater than theirs, when their corn and wine are abundant.

8 I will lay me down in peace, and sleep;

For thou alone, O Lord, makest me dwell in safety.

PSALM V.

Prayer of a pious man for aid against impious, deceitful, and sanguinary enemies. It may be referred to the rebellion of Absalom, or to the persecution of David in the court of Saul.

For the leader of the music; to be accompanied with wind instruments. A psalm of David.

2 Listen to the voice of my supplication, my King and my God!

For to thee do I address my prayer.

3 In the morning shalt thou hear my voice, O Lord!

In the morning will I direct my prayer to thee, and look for help.

4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness; The unrighteous man dwelleth not with thee.

5 The haughty shall not stand in thy sight;

Thou hatest all that do iniquity.

6 Thou destroyest them that speak falsehood;

The man of blood and deceit Jehovah abhorreth.

7 But I, through thy great goodness, will come to thy

house;

In thy fear will I worship at thy holy temple.

8 Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness, because of mine enemies;

Make thy path straight before my face!

9 For in their mouth there is no truth;

Their heart is all malignity;

Their throat is an open sepulchre ;

They flatter with their tongue.

10 Requite them, O God!

11

Let them be confounded in their devices!

Cast them out for the multitude of their transgressions; For against thee have they rebelled!

But let all, that put their trust in thee, rejoice;

Let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest

them;

Let them, that love thy name, be joyful in thee!

12 For thou, O Lord, dost bless the righteous;

With favor dost thou encompass him, as with a shield.

PSALM VI.

A prayer of one in great distress.

For the leader of the music; to be accompanied with stringed instru

1

O LORD, rebuke me not in thine anger;
Chasten me not in thy hot displeasure!

2 Have pity upon me, O Lord, for I am weak!
Heal me, O Lord, for my bones tremble!
3 My soul, also, is sore troubled;

And thou, O Lord, how long

4 Return, O Lord, and deliver me;

O save me according to thy mercy!

5 For in death no praise is given to thee;

In the underworld who can give thee thanks?

6 I am weary with groaning;

All the night I make my bed to swim,

And drench my couch with my tears.

7 Mine eye is wasted with grief;

8

It hath become old because of all my enemies.

Depart from me, all ye that do iniquity;

For the Lord heareth the voice of my weeping.

9 The Lord heareth my supplication;

The Lord accepteth my prayer.

10 All my enemies shall be ashamed and utterly confounded;

They shall be turned back and put to shame suddenly.

PSALM VII.

Prayer against an enemy, or, perhaps, against enemies in general.

A psalm of David, which he sang to Jehovah, on account of the reproaches of Cush the Benjamite.

1 O JEHOVAH, my God, to thee do I look for help! Save me from them that persecute me, and deliver me!

2 Lest mine enemy tear me like a lion;

Lest he rend me in pieces, while there is none to help.

3 O Jehovah, my God! If I have done this,

If there be iniquity upon my hands,

4 If I have rendered evil to my friend,

Or have despoiled him that without cause is mine en

5 Let my adversary pursue and take me;

Let him trample me to the ground,
And lay me prostrate in the dust!

6

Arise, O Lord, in thine anger;

Lift thyself up against the rage of mine enemies;
Awake for me! Ordain judgment!

7 Let the assembly of the nations compass thee about,
And on their account ascend thy throne!

8 The Lord judgeth the nations;

Judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness,
And requite me according to my integrity!

9 O let the wickedness of the wicked be at an end;
But establish the righteous!

For thou, O God of justice, triest the heart and the

reins !

10 My shield is with God,

Who saveth the upright in heart.

11 God is a righteous judge;

And God is ever angry with the wicked.

12 If he do not desist, He sharpeneth his sword;
He bendeth his bow, and maketh it ready;
13 He prepareth for him the instruments of death;
He shooteth his burning arrows.

14 Behold, he travailed with iniquity, And conceived mischief,

But hath brought forth disappointment!

15 He made a pit and digged it,

And is fallen into the ditch which he made.

16 His mischief returneth upon his own head,

And his violence cometh down upon his own pate. 17 I will praise the Lord according to his righteousness; I will sing praise to the name of the Lord most high.