CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Psalm 5:4 For You are not a God who delights in wickedness; no evil can dwell with You.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/psalms/5-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/19_Psa_005_004.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Psalm 5:4 - Give Ear to My Words" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="For You are not a God who delights in wickedness; no evil can dwell with You." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/psalms/5-4.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/psalms/5-4.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/psalms/">Psalms</a> > <a href="/psalms/5.htm">Chapter 5</a> > Verse 4</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad4.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/psalms/5-3.htm" title="Psalm 5:3">◄</a> Psalm 5:4 <a href="/psalms/5-5.htm" title="Psalm 5:5">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/psalms/5.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/psalms/5.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness; with you, evil people are not welcome.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/psalms/5.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness; you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/psalms/5.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/psalms/5.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />For You are not a God who delights in wickedness; no evil can dwell with You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/psalms/5.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For thou <i>art</i> not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/psalms/5.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For You <i>are</i> not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/psalms/5.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; No evil can dwell with You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/psalms/5.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; No evil dwells with You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/psalms/5.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For Thou art not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; No evil dwells with Thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/psalms/5.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For You are not a God who delights in wickedness; Evil does not sojourn with You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/psalms/5.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; No evil [person] dwells with You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/psalms/5.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil cannot dwell with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/psalms/5.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />For You are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil cannot dwell with You. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/psalms/5.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: Evil shall not sojourn with thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/psalms/5.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />You are not the kind of God who is pleased with evil. Sinners can't stay with you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/psalms/5.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: evil shall not sojourn with thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/psalms/5.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness. Evil will never be your guest.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/psalms/5.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />You are not a God who is pleased with wrongdoing; you allow no evil in your presence. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/psalms/5.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Indeed, you aren't a God who delights in wickedness; evil will never dwell with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/psalms/5.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />For You are not a God who delights in wickedness; no evil can dwell with You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/psalms/5.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Certainly you are not a God who approves of evil; evil people cannot dwell with you. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/psalms/5.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For you are not a God who desires wickedness. Evil can't live with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/psalms/5.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/psalms/5.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For you are not a God who has pleasure in wickedness. Evil can’t live with you. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/psalms/5.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />For You [are] not a God desiring wickedness, "" Evil does not inhabit You.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/psalms/5.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> For not a God desiring wickedness art Thou, Evil inhabiteth Thee not.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/psalms/5.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />For thou not a God delighting in injustice: and evil shall not dwell with thee.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/psalms/5.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />In the morning I will stand before thee, and will see: because thou art not a God that willest iniquity. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/psalms/5.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br /><V 5:5>In the morning, I will stand before you, and I will see. For you are not a God who wills iniquity.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/psalms/5.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />You are not a god who delights in evil; no wicked person finds refuge with you; <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/psalms/5.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil will not sojourn with you.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/psalms/5.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness; neither shall evil dwell with thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/psalms/5.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Because you are God, and desire no evil, and no evil one will dwell with you.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/psalms/5.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For Thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness; Evil shall not sojourn with Thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/psalms/5.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />For thou art not a god that desires iniquity; neither shall the worker of wickedness dwell with thee.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/psalms/5-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/nFaD2oDhKPc?start=287" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/psalms/5.htm">Give Ear to My Words</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">3</span>In the morning, O LORD, You hear my voice; at daybreak I lay my plea before You and wait in expectation. <span class="reftext">4</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">For</a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’āt·tāh (Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">You</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">are not</a> <a href="/hebrew/410.htm" title="410: ’êl- (N-ms) -- God, in pl. gods. Shortened from 'ayil; strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the Almighty.">a God</a> <a href="/hebrew/2655.htm" title="2655: ḥā·p̄êṣ (Adj-msc) -- Delighting in, having pleasure in. From chaphets; pleased with.">who delights</a> <a href="/hebrew/7562.htm" title="7562: re·ša‘ (N-ms) -- Wickedness. From rasha'; a wrong.">in wickedness;</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">no</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: rā‘ (Adj-ms) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">evil</a> <a href="/hebrew/1481.htm" title="1481: yə·ḡur·ḵā (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms:: 2ms) -- A primitive root; properly, to turn aside from the road, i.e. Sojourn; also to shrink, fear; also to gather for hostility.">can dwell with You.</a> </span><span class="reftext">5</span>The boastful cannot stand in Your presence; You hate all workers of iniquity.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/habakkuk/1-13.htm">Habakkuk 1:13</a></span><br />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?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/1-13.htm">James 1:13</a></span><br />When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He tempt anyone.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/59-2.htm">Isaiah 59:2</a></span><br />But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_john/1-5.htm">1 John 1:5</a></span><br />And this is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you: God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-29.htm">Proverbs 15:29</a></span><br />The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/3-12.htm">1 Peter 3:12</a></span><br />For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-15.htm">Isaiah 1:15</a></span><br />When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you multiply your prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-9.htm">1 Corinthians 6:9-10</a></span><br />Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who submit to or perform homosexual acts, / nor thieves, nor the greedy, nor drunkards, nor verbal abusers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/6-16.htm">Proverbs 6:16-19</a></span><br />There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to Him: / haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, / a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that run swiftly to evil, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/1-18.htm">Romans 1:18</a></span><br />The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/59-1.htm">Isaiah 59:1-2</a></span><br />Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear. / But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/6-14.htm">2 Corinthians 6:14</a></span><br />Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/5-5.htm">Ephesians 5:5</a></span><br />For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure, or greedy person (that is, an idolater) has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/11-5.htm">Psalm 11:5</a></span><br />The LORD tests the righteous and the wicked; His soul hates the lover of violence.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/21-27.htm">Revelation 21:27</a></span><br />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.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For you are not a God that has pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with you.</p><p class="hdg">God</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/50-21.htm">Psalm 50:21</a></b></br> These <i>things</i> hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether <i>such an one</i> as thyself: <i>but</i> I will reprove thee, and set <i>them</i> in order before thine eyes.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_chronicles/29-17.htm">1 Chronicles 29:17</a></b></br> I know also, my God, that thou triest the heart, and hast pleasure in uprightness. As for me, in the uprightness of mine heart I have willingly offered all these things: and now have I seen with joy thy people, which are present here, to offer willingly unto thee.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/habakkuk/1-13.htm">Habakkuk 1:13</a></b></br> <i>Thou art</i> of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, <i>and</i> holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth <i>the man that is</i> more righteous than he?</p><p class="hdg">evil</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/94-20.htm">Psalm 94:20</a></b></br> Shall the throne of iniquity have fellowship with thee, which frameth mischief by a law?</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/101-7.htm">Psalm 101:7</a></b></br> He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/psalms/140-13.htm">Psalm 140:13</a></b></br> Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/job/20-20.htm">Delights</a> <a href="/job/11-19.htm">Desiring</a> <a href="/psalms/4-8.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/job/39-28.htm">Dwells</a> <a href="/job/42-11.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/job/39-28.htm">Inhabiteth</a> <a href="/job/30-6.htm">Live</a> <a href="/job/40-19.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/job/28-4.htm">Sojourn</a> <a href="/psalms/3-7.htm">Wicked</a> <a href="/job/35-8.htm">Wickedness</a> <a href="/job/33-17.htm">Wrongdoing</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/psalms/22-8.htm">Delights</a> <a href="/psalms/12-5.htm">Desiring</a> <a href="/psalms/15-1.htm">Dwell</a> <a href="/psalms/9-11.htm">Dwells</a> <a href="/psalms/5-5.htm">Evil</a> <a href="/psalms/65-4.htm">Inhabiteth</a> <a href="/psalms/15-1.htm">Live</a> <a href="/psalms/25-12.htm">Pleasure</a> <a href="/psalms/15-1.htm">Sojourn</a> <a href="/psalms/7-9.htm">Wicked</a> <a href="/psalms/5-9.htm">Wickedness</a> <a href="/psalms/7-14.htm">Wrongdoing</a><div class="vheading2">Psalm 5</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/5-1.htm">David prays, and professes his study in prayer</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/5-4.htm">God favors not the wicked</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/5-7.htm">David, professing his faith, prays to God to guide him</a></span><br><span class="reftext">10. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/5-10.htm">to destroy his enemies</a></span><br><span class="reftext">11. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/psalms/5-11.htm">and to preserve the godly</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/5.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/psalms/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/psalms/5.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>For You are not a God who delights in wickedness;</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the holiness and righteousness of God, contrasting Him with the pagan deities of the surrounding cultures during the time of the psalmist. Unlike the gods of the Canaanites, who were often depicted as capricious and morally ambiguous, the God of Israel is portrayed as inherently good and just. This aligns with the broader biblical narrative that God is light and in Him there is no darkness (1 <a href="/john/1-5.htm">John 1:5</a>). The rejection of wickedness is a consistent theme throughout Scripture, seen in passages like <a href="/habakkuk/1-13.htm">Habakkuk 1:13</a>, which states that God's eyes are too pure to look on evil. This phrase also sets the stage for understanding God's judgment and justice, as He cannot condone or take pleasure in sin.<p><b>no evil can dwell with You.</b><br>This part of the verse underscores the separation between God and sin, highlighting His absolute purity. The concept of dwelling suggests a close, intimate presence, which is impossible for evil in the presence of a holy God. This is reflected in the tabernacle and temple practices, where only the high priest could enter the Holy of Holies, and only after extensive purification rituals (Leviticus 16). Theologically, this separation is foundational to the understanding of sin and redemption, as it necessitates a mediator between God and humanity, fulfilled in Jesus Christ (<a href="/1_timothy/2-5.htm">1 Timothy 2:5</a>). The phrase also points to the eschatological hope found in <a href="/revelation/21-27.htm">Revelation 21:27</a>, where nothing impure will enter the New Jerusalem, emphasizing the ultimate triumph of God's holiness.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a></b><br>- The author of <a href="/bsb/psalms/5.htm">Psalm 5</a>, David is expressing his understanding of God's nature and character in this prayerful psalm.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/g/god.htm">God</a></b><br>- The central figure in this verse, God is depicted as holy and righteous, unable to tolerate wickedness or evil.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/w/wickedness.htm">Wickedness</a></b><br>- Represents actions and thoughts that are contrary to God's nature and commands.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/e/evil.htm">Evil</a></b><br>- Refers to moral corruption and sin, which cannot coexist with God's holiness.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_holiness.htm">God's Holiness</a></b><br>God’s nature is inherently holy, and He cannot tolerate sin. This understanding should lead us to a deeper reverence for His purity and righteousness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/call_to_righteous_living.htm">Call to Righteous Living</a></b><br>As followers of Christ, we are called to pursue righteousness and turn away from wickedness, aligning our lives with God’s standards.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_nature_of_sin.htm">The Nature of Sin</a></b><br>Recognizing that sin creates a barrier between us and God should motivate us to seek forgiveness and strive for holiness.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_incompatibility_with_evil.htm">God's Incompatibility with Evil</a></b><br>Understanding that no evil can dwell with God should encourage us to examine our lives and remove anything that is not pleasing to Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prayer_and_repentance.htm">Prayer and Repentance</a></b><br>Like David, we should approach God in prayer, acknowledging His holiness and seeking His guidance to live a life free from sin.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_psalm_5.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Psalm 5</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_judgment.htm">What is the Bible's perspective on judgment?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_is_god's_holiness_incompatible_with_sin.htm">Why does the text portray God’s holiness (Psalm 5:4) as incompatible with sin if elsewhere God dwells among imperfect people?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/did_god_create_evil.htm">Did God originate the existence of evil?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_for_threats_in_psalm_5.htm">Has any historical or archaeological evidence been found to confirm the specific threats David describes in Psalm 5? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/psalms/5.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(4) <span class= "bld">Neither shall evil.</span>--Better, <span class= "ital">the wicked man is not thy guest. </span>For the same thought, see Psalms 15; and for the opposite, of God coming to dwell with the godly, <a href="/isaiah/57-15.htm" title="For thus said the high and lofty One that inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.">Isaiah 57:15</a>.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/psalms/5.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 4.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness</span>. Thou wilt listen to the prayer of a righteous man (<a href="/psalms/4-1.htm">Psalm 4:1</a>), since thou dost not delight in wickedness, but in goodness. Neither shall evil dwell with thee. Light has no fellowship with darkness. Evil men can obtain no support from thee, who art All-holy. They will scarcely venture to ask thy aid. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/psalms/5-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">For</span><br /><span class="heb">כִּ֤י ׀</span> <span class="translit">(kî)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunction<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> </span><span class="str2">A relative conjunction</span><br /><br /><span class="word">You</span><br /><span class="heb">אָ֑תָּה</span> <span class="translit">(’āt·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thou and thee, ye and you</span><br /><br /><span class="word">are not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֤א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">a God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵֽל־</span> <span class="translit">(’êl-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_410.htm">Strong's 410: </a> </span><span class="str2">Strength -- as adjective, mighty, the Almighty</span><br /><br /><span class="word">who delights</span><br /><span class="heb">חָפֵ֘ץ</span> <span class="translit">(ḥā·p̄êṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2655.htm">Strong's 2655: </a> </span><span class="str2">Delighting in, having pleasure in</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in wickedness;</span><br /><span class="heb">רֶ֥שַׁע ׀</span> <span class="translit">(re·ša‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7562.htm">Strong's 7562: </a> </span><span class="str2">Wickedness</span><br /><br /><span class="word">no</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹ֖א</span> <span class="translit">(lō)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">evil</span><br /><span class="heb">רָֽע׃</span> <span class="translit">(rā‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bad, evil</span><br /><br /><span class="word">can dwell with You.</span><br /><span class="heb">יְגֻרְךָ֣</span> <span class="translit">(yə·ḡur·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1481.htm">Strong's 1481: </a> </span><span class="str2">To turn aside from the road, sojourn, to shrink, fear, to gather for, hostility</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/psalms/5-4.htm">Psalm 5:4 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/psalms/5-4.htm">Psalm 5:4 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/psalms/5-4.htm">Psalm 5:4 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/psalms/5-4.htm">Psalm 5:4 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/psalms/5-4.htm">Psalm 5:4 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/psalms/5-4.htm">Psalm 5:4 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/psalms/5-4.htm">Psalm 5:4 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/psalms/5-4.htm">Psalm 5:4 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/psalms/5-4.htm">Psalm 5:4 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/psalms/5-4.htm">Psalm 5:4 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/psalms/5-4.htm">OT Poetry: Psalm 5:4 For you are not a God who (Psalm Ps Psa.) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/psalms/5-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Psalm 5:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Psalm 5:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/psalms/5-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Psalm 5:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Psalm 5:5" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>