A Morning Prayer

1Give ear to my words, O Lord;

consider my groaning.

2Give attention to the sound of my cry,

my King and my God,

for to you do I pray.

3O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice;

in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.

4For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;

evil may not dwell with you.

5The boastful shall not stand before your eyes;

you hate all evildoers.

6You destroy those who speak lies;

the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

7But 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.

8 Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness

because of my enemies;

make your way straight before me.

9For there is no truth in their mouth;

their inmost self is destruction;

their throat is an open grave;

they flatter with their tongue.

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.

11But 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.

12For you bless the righteous, O Lord;

you cover him with favor as with a shield.