A Morning Prayer for God's Guidance
Notes
Transcript
1. Opening (1 minute)
“Tonight we’re studying Psalm 5, a morning prayer of David. It’s a psalm of confidence, reverence, and dependence on God when facing pressure, opposition, and uncertainty. Let’s ask the Lord to open His Word to us.”
Short Prayer
2. Background & Context (3–4 minutes)
Teach this section conversationally:
“Psalm 5 is traditionally considered a morning psalm—a companion to Psalm 4, which is an evening psalm. David is likely in a season of distress, possibly opposition from enemies within his own court or threats from outside. What stands out is David’s direction of his fears: instead of internalizing or venting horizontally, he speaks upward to God.
This psalm also reflects an important Hebrew pattern: the righteous vs. the wicked. David isn’t claiming perfection, but relationship and alignment with God. His confidence isn’t in himself—it’s in God’s character.”
Transition:
“As we walk through the psalm, watch how David moves from prayer, to perspective, to protection, and finally to praise.”
Section-by-Section Study
3. Psalm 5:1–3 — “A Prepared Prayer Life” (6 minutes)
Read Psalm 5:1–3 aloud.
Psalm 5:1–3 “1 Give ear to my words, O Lord, Consider my meditation. 2 Give heed to the voice of my cry, My King and my God, For to You I will pray. 3 My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; In the morning I will direct it to You, And I will look up.”
Teaching Points
David begins with pleading language: “Give ear,” “consider,” “give heed.”
He “directs” his prayer to God—picture a priest arranging a sacrifice in order on the altar.
Meditation
1901. הָגִיג hâgîyg, haw-gheeg´; from an unused root akin to 1897; prop. a murmur, i.e. complaint:—meditation, musing.
It’s purposeful, not rushed.
David expects an answer: “I will watch” (like a guard waiting for the dawn).
Cross References (Assign to participants)
Psalm 88:13 – Morning cry to the Lord.
Psalm 88:13 “13 But to You I have cried out, O Lord, And in the morning my prayer comes before You.”
Mark 1:35 – Jesus rose early to pray.
Mark 1:35 “35 Now in the morning, having risen a long while before daylight, He went out and departed to a solitary place; and there He prayed.”
1 Thessalonians 5:17 – Pray without ceasing.
1 Thessalonians 5:17 “17 pray without ceasing,”
Open-Ended Questions
Why do you think David emphasized praying in the morning? How does beginning your day with God change your whole day?
What does it look like to “prepare” your prayer, not just say words?
Why is expectation (“I will watch”) important in prayer?
Illustration
Use this simple visual:
“A pilot doesn’t lift off without checking the runway, instruments, and weather. Morning prayer is spiritual pre-flight. You could fly without it—but it won’t be smooth.”
Application
Begin your day with God in the first 5 minutes: speak, listen, surrender.
Set one specific request this week—and watch for God to answer.
4. Psalm 5:4–6 — “A Proper View of God’s Holiness” (5 minutes)
Read Psalm 5:4–6 aloud.
Psalm 5:4–6 “4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You. 5 The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity. 6 You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; The Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.”
Teaching Points
David contrasts God’s holiness with human wickedness.
God does not delight in evil—He is holy.
“Boastful,” “evil,” “liars,” “bloodthirsty” — David names the darkness honestly.
This is not David’s self-righteousness—it’s an acknowledgment of God’s moral order.
Cross References (Assign)
Habakkuk 1:13 – God’s eyes are too pure to look on evil.
1 Peter 1:15–16 – “Be holy, for I am holy.”
Romans 1:24–28 – The consequences of rejecting God’s holiness.
Romans 1:24–28 “24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. 26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting;”
Open-Ended Questions
Why is it important that David begins with God’s holiness before asking God for help?
Because God’s holiness puts everything in the right perspective.
When David starts with God’s character—not his crisis—he is reminding himself who God is.
God is not just powerful; He is pure, righteous, perfect, trustworthy, and unable to act unjustly
How does knowing God is holy actually bring comfort instead of fear?
What are ways today’s culture shrinks or ignores God’s holiness?
Illustration
“Standing in sunlight reveals things you didn’t notice in the dark—dust, fingerprints, imperfections. God’s holiness does that spiritually. It reveals the truth so He can cleanse us.”
Application
Pray: “Lord, let me see sin the way You see it.”
Invite God to expose any area where compromise has dulled your holiness.
5. Psalm 5:7–8 — “A Pathway Through God’s Presence” (5 minutes)
Read Psalm 5:7–8 aloud.
Psalm 5:7–8 “7 But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy; In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple. 8 Lead me, O Lord, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; Make Your way straight before my face.”
Teaching Points
David approaches God not arrogantly, but “in the multitude of Your mercy.”
“Fear” here means reverence, awe—not terror.
David prays for God to lead him in righteousness because of his enemies.
Cross References (Assign)
Psalm 23:3 – “He leads me in paths of righteousness.”
Proverbs 3:5–6 – “He will direct your paths.”
Hebrews 4:16 – Approach the throne of grace with confidence.
Open-Ended Questions
How does mercy allow us to enter God’s presence with confidence?
What does godly reverence look like in daily life?
Why is it important to ask God to lead you “straight” when facing pressure?
Illustration
“A GPS only helps if you actually follow it. David isn’t asking for a map—he’s asking for a Guide.”
Application
Ask God each morning: “Lead my steps today. Make my path straight.”
Choose one decision this week to intentionally submit to God’s direction.
6. Psalm 5:9–10 — “A Perception of the Enemy’s Lies” (4 minutes)
Read Psalm 5:9–10 aloud.
Psalm 5:9–10 “9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; Their inward part is destruction; Their throat is an open tomb; They flatter with their tongue. 10 Pronounce them guilty, O God! Let them fall by their own counsels; Cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions, For they have rebelled against You.”
Teaching Points
David describes his enemies with blunt realism: no faithfulness, destructive speech, corruption.
This represents the deceitful nature of wickedness.
He leaves vengeance to God—“pronounce them guilty.”
Cross References (Assign)
Romans 3:13–18 – Paul quotes this section in his teaching on universal sin.
Romans 3:13–18 “13 “Their throat is an open tomb; With their tongues they have practiced deceit”; “The poison of asps is under their lips”; 14 “Whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.” 15 “Their feet are swift to shed blood; 16 Destruction and misery are in their ways; 17 And the way of peace they have not known.” 18 “There is no fear of God before their eyes.””
Romans 12:17–19 – Leave vengeance to God.
Romans 12:17–19 “17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.”
Psalm 34:13–14 – Keep your tongue from evil.
Psalm 34:13–14 “13 Keep your tongue from evil, And your lips from speaking deceit. 14 Depart from evil and do good; Seek peace and pursue it.”
Open-Ended Questions
Why does David describe wickedness in such graphic terms?
What does this teach us about the dangers of deceptive speech today—online or in conversation?
Why is releasing justice to God a form of faith?
Illustration
“False words are like a crack in a dam—small at first, but eventually destructive.”
Application
Guard your speech this week—speak truth, speak gently, speak life.
Release any desire for personal revenge into God’s hands.
7. Psalm 5:11–12 — “A Promise of God’s Protection & Joy” (5 minutes)
Read Psalm 5:11–12 aloud.
Psalm 5:11–12 “11 But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name Be joyful in You. 12 For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; With favor You will surround him as with a shield.”
Teaching Points
Three actions of the righteous:
Trust
Rejoice
Shout for joy
God surrounds (covers) His people with favor “as with a shield”—large body shield used by soldiers.
This is not ease, but covering.
Cross References (Assign)
Nehemiah 8:10 – The joy of the Lord is your strength.
Psalm 91:1–4 – God as our refuge and fortress.
Romans 8:31 – “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
Open-Ended Questions
Why does trust lead to joy?
What does it mean that God’s favor surrounds us “like a shield”?
When have you seen God protect or sustain you in a difficult week?
Illustration
“A firefighter’s gear can’t stop the fire from burning—but it protects the firefighter in the middle of the flames. God’s favor does that.”
Application
Whisper this promise every morning:
“Lord, cover me with Your favor today.”
Choose joy as an act of trust—not based on circumstances but on God’s character.
8. Closing Challenge (1 minute)
“Psalm 5 teaches us to begin our day with God, approach Him humbly, trust His holiness, walk His path, guard our speech, and rest under His protection. What is one takeaway you’ll put into practice tomorrow morning?”
