Psalm 5- Akin Outline

How to Begin Each Day in A Good Way

Folgers-The Best part of waking up. David knew it was important to both begin and end each day in a good way. He knew the best way to do this is with prayer.

best way to do this is with prayer. In we have prayers for the morning and evening. Perhaps the background of this Psalm is also the rebellion of Absalom (). Combining the elements of Psalms of lament and confidence, we see David asking for guidance in the midst of his enemies and their slander (vs. 8-9).

In the first three verses, broadly:

I. Talk to the Lord in Prayer 5:1-3 Notice how we should address Him both personally and respectfully: my King and my God. 1) Seek the Lord with Desperation 5:1

The Psalm begins with a trio of parallel imperatives: 1) give ear (listen); 2) consider; 3) give heed (ESV, “attention”). He describes his prayer as 1) my

words, 2) my meditation (groanings), 3) the voice of my cry.

How desperate are you for the Lord?

How much do you really need Him?

We will know how much we need him by when we seek him.

There is a sense in which we begin each day evaluating what we will accomplish that day.

Do we seek the Lord?

if we need Him we will seek Him First. 2) Seek the Lord First 5:2-3

In verse 2:

He addresses Him both:

Personally

My King

Is he yours?

Respectfully

King

God

The phrase “in the morning” is repeated for emphasis.

Some believe the context of the prayer was the morning sacrifice.

Verse 3 ends in the NKJV with the phrase, “I will look up.” The NIV has “wait

Either way, He is seeking the Lord.

And He tells the Lord, He will hear His voice in the morning.

For David, Morning prayer was a regular thing

The Importance of prayer for us as a church.

The importance of prayer for you individually.

in expectation”; the NASV has “watch.” Some believe the context of the

II. See the Lord Evaluate the Wicked 5:4-6

prayer was the morning sacrifice. II. See the Lord Evaluate the Wicked 5:4-6

Stanza 2 is very different than stanza 1.

Again the righteous man and the wicked man of are seen in starling opposition. One God will hear.

We see God make 6 statements with regard to the wicked. 1) God is Displeased with Them 5:4

A holy God has no pleasure at all, none, in the wicked person. Such a person is seen as wicked both in character and conduct.

But do we? Do we take pleasure in wickedness?

2) God will not Dwell with Them 5:4 “Evil (ones) will not dwell (sojourn, visit) with you.” As says, “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil.”

2) God will not Dwell with Them 5:4 “Evil (ones) will not dwell (sojourn, visit) with you.” As says, “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil.”

We saw this with Adam and Eve and we will see this with all those who aren’t not saved.

3) God will Dishonor Them 5:5 The prideful and arrogant will never enjoy a face-to-face encounter with the Lord.

4) God Distains Them 5:5 You hate all workers if iniquity. These words catch us by surprise.

“Don’t miss the functional emphasis. In their essence and essential being as imagers of God, the Lord loves His human creatures. But when they function as workers, instruments of iniquity (ESV “evil doers”), God has nothing but wrath, righteous anger, yes, a just hatred.”

Hate the sin, Love the sinner?

God has a hatred for sin, and He will pour out His wrath in divine justice on all those who practice that which opposes Him.

Remember

Proverbs 6:16–19 NASB95

There are six things which the Lord hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers.

5) God will Destroy Them 5:6

Again sins of the tongue are addressed. In v. 5 it was the arrogant. Here it is liars. Those who slander and speak falsely reveal the nature of their heart thru their tongue.

6) God Despises Them 5:6 The bloodthirsty murder with their hands. The deceitful murder with their tongue.

1

The Great Transition- BUT

III. Follow the Lord in His Righteous Ways 5:7-8

The word “but” places these verses in strong opposition to vs. 4-6.

1) Pursue the Worship of God 5:7 • We should come to God in prayer. We should come to the place where God’s people come together. Here David says we find a “multitude of mercy”. It is that wonderful Hebrew work hesed.

Two things we see here:

people come together. Here David says we find a “multitude of mercy”. It

1. Only by mercy may we approach God.

2. Only in worship should we draw near to God.

is that wonderful Hebrew work hesed. • Only by mercy may we approach God. Only in worship should we draw near

2) Pursue the Ways of the Lord 5:8

to God. 2) Pursue the Ways of the Lord 5:8

We can, we should, ask the Lord (Yahweh) to lead us.

In fact when faced with opposition, confronted by enemies, those who would do us harm, we can ask Him to make His way straight before us.

would do us harm, we can ask Him to make His way straight before us. Direct me away from wickedness and evil (v.4), pride and rebellion (v.5), lies, murder and deception (v.6).

Direct me away from wickedness and evil (v.4), pride and rebellion (v.5), lies, murder and deception (v.6).

IV. Watch the Lord Deal with the Rebellious 5:9-10

As in stanza 2, David again addresses the wicked in stanza 4. He particularly notes the sins of the mouth, the evil words that flow from an evil heart.

1) They are Unfaithful with Their Speech 5:9 They are dishonest and destructive in their words. Coming up out of their heart through their throat is death. Their words are smooth and flattering, but their end is death and the graveyard. Paul cites this verse in .

2) They Are Uncontrollable in Their Sin 5:10

• David calls on the Lord for a judicial verdict of guilty. Not only should God condemn them, their own counsel (NASV, “devices”) brings them down. Their judgment is divinely enacted and self inflicted. Bottom-line: their rebellion is against God! The Lord will deal with them in the final analysis.

V. Shout to the Lord with Joy 5:11-12 This 5th and final stanza, like stanzas 1 and 3, looks to the Lord and considers the blessings that come to those who approach Yahweh as their King and their God. 1) Trust the Lord and He will Protect You 5:11

Those who put their trust, faith, confidence, in the Lord are called to rejoice (3x in v.11). Why? Because the Lord will “spread His protection” (NIV) over them.

Those who trust the Lord can trust Him to be the refuge, their divine protector. 2) Love the Lord and He will Bless You 5:12

• Those who trust the Lord and rejoice in His protection also love His Name and see Him as their shield (cf 3:3). Because we love His name we love Him for who He is.

• Because we love Him who is righteous (v.8), we will pursue righteousness knowing this is the place of divine blessing.

Knowing my God, my King, cares for me with such loving-kindness, with such promises of guidance and protection, I will seek Him as I begin each day. I will shout to the Lord with joy because I love His Name, that Name which is above every name, even the name of Jesus my Lord.

2