Psalm 5

Introduction to Psalm 5

Let us read what it says:

Psalm 5 ESV

To the choirmaster: for the flutes. A Psalm of David. 1 Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning. 2 Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. 3 O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch. 4 For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. 5 The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. 6 You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. 7 But 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. 9 For 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. 11 But 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. 12 For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield.

Intro

The first few verses tell us that this Psalm is a prayer of urgency. Listen, give ear, consider are all imperatives. This was serious and we should be serious in prayer. And it is set to be played with flutes. Flutes can have that haunting sound as well as being jolly. I suspect it was played with doleful sounds until the very end rejoicing in God who comes to our aid.

1

It is upon how we pray that gets my attention here. We can pray with words as we all should do in a way that is understood, as indeed he starts with here but, then sometimes, when we are stressed or in pain or grieving or something happens that is shocking, all we can do is groan. We cannot articulate any words. Perhaps the situation is so bad that there is nothing to voice. Like Job and his friends sat in silence for a week through sheer shock.

And here in verse 1 the word translated as lament or meditate is literally ‘groaning’. This is prayer too. Giving voice to what we need from God is the normal way to pray but giving voice is sometimes not possible, we do not know what to express, how to express, sometimes all we can do is groan. This is prayer too. We are told by Apostle Paul that we do not know what we ought to pray but the Spirit intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express (Rom 8:26). Don’t be condemned or feel guilt when circumstances are such that all we can do is groan. As true as it was in the Old Testament it is true in the New.

2

There is sheer desperation here but still recognises to whom He is praying. My King. David is king but He recognises in God that He is David’s King and God. And it is personal too. My King. My God. “You hear and listen - I pray to You” David says.

3

The next thing we notice in verse 3 is that he is praying every morning, he is persisting with God, and then this verse ends with expecting God to answer. What is the point of praying if we do not think God will answer? James says that such a double-minded man can expect nothing from the Lord. Expect nothing, get nothing.

Psalms, Volume 1: (Psalms 1–41): An Expositional Commentary Psalm 5: A Prayer for Coming to God’s House

Prayer should be the key of the day and the lock of the night. Devotion should be both the morning … and the evening star

4-6

God does not listen to those who walk against Him. God is so holy that He cannot bear evil, sin and wickedness. In many places in Scripture we are told He opposes the proud. I mean, who can be proud before God? God will rid such people including liars. And God hates violence and betrayals. Except that is not what it is says here, is it? God hates violent and treacherous people. Where is hate the sin, love the sinner here? This should give us pause for thought.

7

What need we more than God Himself. Seek Him whether at home or in the Church. We have come to worship because He is merciful to us and allows us to come to Him.

8

Lead me, a prayer for guidance. Don’t know which way to turn? Turn to Him! He will lead down His path. Being in the centre of His will is always the best place to be.

9

So many people fit into this verse. The seem nice and kind but inwardly they are against you. They speak about you behind your back and pull your character apart. Two-faced people.

10

Every time we must go back to God and let God avenge - don’t sort it yourself. Don’t justify yourself. Their end before God is certain.

11-12

God defends those who rely upon Him for help. He acts as a shield that protects against the attacks of the enemy. And we rejoice because we see God at work even in terrible situations.

Conclusion

Let us draw near with pure hearts and humility to the One who has the ability to work in our situation when we cannot. And we can rejoice that He hears us and blesses us however we pray.

Bibliography

Boice, J. M. (2005). Psalms 1–41: An Expositional Commentary. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books. (Go back to this for a more in-depth study)

Warstler, Kevin R., “Psalms,” in CSB Study Bible: Notes, ed. by Edwin A. Blum and Trevin Wax (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2017), pp. 815–943