Psalm 5 (The Voice Translation)
1 Bend Your ear to me and listen to my words, O Eternal One;
hear the deep cry of my heart.
2 Listen to my call for help,
my King, my True God;
to You alone I pray.
3 In the morning, O Eternal One, listen for my voice;
in the day’s first light, I will offer my prayer to You and watch expectantly for Your answer.
4 You’re not a God who smiles at sin;
You cannot abide with evil.
5 The proud wither in Your presence;
You hate all who pervert and destroy what is good.
6 You destroy those with lying lips;
the Eternal detests those who murder and deceive.
7 Yet I, by Your loving grace,
am welcomed into Your house;
I will turn my face toward Your holy place
and fall on my knees in reverence before You.
8 O Eternal One, lead me in the path of Your righteousness
amidst those who wish me harm;
make Your way clear to me.
9 Their words cannot be trusted;
they are destructive to their cores.
What comes out of their mouths is as foul as a rotting corpse;
their words stink of flattery.
10 Find them guilty, O True God;
let their own devices bring them ruin.
Throw them out, and let them drownin the deluge of their sin,
for in revolt they brazenly spit in Your face.
11 But let those who run to You for safety be glad they did;
let them break out in joyful song.
May You keep them safe—
their love for You resounding in their hearts.
12 You, O Eternal, are the One who lays all good things in the laps of the right-hearted.
Your blessings surround them like a shield.
Prayer:
Give us your peace, oh God, that we will know your loving care. Help us be aware of your love which surrounds us and keeps us whole
Today we pray for our loved ones who are in need of your strength and healing…
We pray for our neighbors who may be lonely, ill, or grieving…..
We pray for healthcare workers who are pushed beyond exhaustion and who are giving their all in the pandemic….
We pray for our leaders, locally and nationally and internationally, that cool heads prevail, that they make informed decisions for the good of us all, that your gift of science and medical understanding may lead the way to spare the lives of those who are threatened….
We pray for those who are without: without support, without food and shelter, without hope, without love. May we, your church, do as you have called us to do and demonstrate grace through our actions.
In Christ’s name we pray, Amen