Psalm 5:4

Translations

Modern

For You are not a God who delights in wickedness; no evil can dwell with You.

Traditional

For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.

Literal

For You are not a God delighting in wickedness; evil shall not sojourn with You.

Latin

Mane astabo tibi, et videbo quoniam non Deus volens iniquitatem tu es.

Original

Hebrew

English

For You are not a God who delights in wickedness; no evil can dwell with You.

Notes

Psalms 5:1–12

This morning prayer (Psalm 5:3) shows strong trust in the Lord's help and protection. The psalmist asks for God's response and waits for it (Psalm 5:1–3).

He describes the plans of the wicked in detail but stays focused on God. The psalmist knows the wicked cannot be with God (Psalm 5:4–6, 9; see 1:5).

He keeps returning to the Lord (Psalm 5:7–8, 10; see 5:1–3), and then he prays for the godly community (5:10–12; see 3:8).

Psalms 3:1–7:17

This group of psalms moves from an orderly world to a troubled one. Psalms 1–2 describe stability. The righteous person is blessed, and the Lord’s anointed king rules with authority.

In the psalms that follow, the tone changes. The Lord’s anointed cries out for help. He faces enemies, strong opposition, and evil plans.

It even seems at times that the Lord is far away. The psalmist feels confusion and distress instead of confidence and calm.

Theme notes and profiles

David

Related verses

Psalm 11:5
The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked; His soul hates the lover of violence.
Hebrews 12:14
Pursue peace with everyone, as well as holiness, without which no one will see the Lord.
Malachi 2:17
You have wearied the LORD with your words; yet you ask, “How have we wearied Him?” By saying, “All who do evil are good in the sight of the LORD, and in them He delights,” or, “Where is the God of justice?”
Psalm 50:21
You have done these things, and I kept silent; you thought I was just like you. But now I rebuke you and accuse you to your face.
Revelation 21:27
But nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who practices an abomination or a lie, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.
Psalm 101:7
No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who tells lies shall stand in my presence.
Psalm 92:15
…to proclaim, “The LORD is upright; He is my Rock, and in Him there is no unrighteousness.”
Psalm 140:13
Surely the righteous will praise Your name; the upright will dwell in Your presence.
2 Peter 3:13
But in keeping with God’s promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells.
Habakkuk 1:13
Your eyes are too pure to look upon evil, and You cannot tolerate wrongdoing. So why do You tolerate the faithless? Why are You silent while the wicked swallow up those more righteous than themselves?
John 14:23
Jesus replied, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word. My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.
Revelation 21:23
And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, because the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its lamp.

People

LORD: Names or title used to refer to God

Glossary

David Imprecatory Psalms Music Nehiloth Psalms, Book of

Topics

Evil Men Sin: Repugnant to God

Psalm 5:4

Translations?

Original?

Notes?

Related verses?