A Morning Prayer for Guidance

Verses 1–10 · a plea surrounded by deceitful enemies

1. ^{verse 1}Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning.
2. ^{verse 2}Attend to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I pray.
3. ^{verse 3}In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation.
4. ^{verse 4}For You are not a God who delights in wickedness; no evil can dwell with You.
5. ^{verse 5}The boastful cannot stand in Your presence; You hate all workers of iniquity.
6. ^{verse 6}You destroy those who tell lies; the LORD abhors the man of bloodshed and deceit.
7. ^{verse 7}But I will enter Your house by the abundance of Your loving devotion; in reverence I will bow down toward Your holy temple.
8. ^{verse 8}Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make straight Your way before me.
9. ^{verse 9}For not a word they speak can be trusted; destruction lies within them. Their throats are open graves; their tongues practice deceit.
10. ^{verse 10}Declare them guilty, O God; let them fall by their own devices. Drive them out for their many transgressions, for they have rebelled against You.

Verses 11–12 · joy for all who take refuge

1. ^{verse 11}But let all who take refuge in You rejoice; let them ever shout for joy. May You shelter them, that those who love Your name may rejoice in You.
2. ^{verse 12}For surely You, O LORD, bless the righteous; You surround them with the shield of Your favor.