Psalms 5

Psalms 5:1

Psalm 5: Morning PrayerThe heading of Psalm 5 reads: To the chief musician; with flutes. A Psalm of David.Since many of the Psalms have titles somewhat similar to this, we should mention again that many scholars believe that these superscriptions are part of the inspired text. In some versions of the Bible (following the original Hebrew), the titles are included as verse one. Some scholars think the headings actually belong at the end of each preceding Psalm, but the evidence for this is not convincing. The big problem with these titles is that the meanings are often obscure. In Psalms 5, they indicate the instrumental accompaniment, but in other cases they might indicate the tune of another song to which the Psalm can be sung.

Psalms 57, for example, reads in the superscription, “Set to Do Not Destroy.” This may have been the name of a well-known song at that time. Occasionally, the meaning is so doubtful that the NKJ translators decided to transliterate the Hebrew words. Psalms 16, for instance, reads “A Michtam of David.” Fortunately for us, our enjoyment of a Psalm does not depend on our full understanding of its title. Psalms 5 is a morning prayer in which David reflects on God’s contrasting attitudes toward the righteous and the wicked. 5:1, 2 At the outset he asks God to hear not only his words but consider his meditation as well. It is a valid request. The Holy Spirit can interpret our meditations just as easily as the words we speak. The psalmist asks God to hear not only his meditations, but also the sound of his cry. This may mean more than the mere words; it suggests the very intonation, the deep, earnest pitch of the voice. In addressing the Lord as “my King and my God,” David reveals the warm, personal, intimate relationship he enjoyed with the Lord. In the words, “for to You I will pray,” he shows that the true God was the only One to whom he prayed"to You and to You alone." The relationship was not only possessive, but exclusive as well. 5:3 David’s prayers were not spasmodic but regular. Every morning the Lord heard his voice. Every morning the man of God prepared a sacrifice of praise and prayer and watched for the Lord to reveal Himself during the day. Too often we do not watch for God’s responses. “We miss many answers,” said F. B. Meyer, “because we get tired of waiting on the docks for the returning ships.” 5:4-6 Always aware of his enemies, David’s confidence in prayer is strengthened by remembering God’s holiness and righteousness. Believers have an inside track to the throne of grace. Not so the ungodly. God cannot be tolerantly pleased with any form of wickedness. Evil cannot be His overnight guest. The boastful are not favored with an audience before this King. He hates all evildoersa truth that punctures the prevalent myth that God is all love and therefore incapable of hatred! God’s holiness demands that He punish all liars and abhor all murderers and deceivers. 5:7 In contrast to his wicked adversaries, David had instant access into the presence of the Lord through the multitude of God’s unfailing mercy or grace. In a spirit of deep reverence, David worshiped, like all godly Jews, facing the holy temple. Since the actual temple was not built until after David’s death, the word here must refer to the tabernacle, as it does in 1Sa_1:9; 1Sa_3:3 and 2Sa_22:7. 5:8 Harassed as he is by enemies, David asks the Lord to display His justice by leading him safely through the surrounding danger and making his pathway crystal clear. 5:9 Next the psalmist introduces strong reasons why God should vindicate His righteous servant and punish the wicked enemies. You can’t believe a word they say. Their inward lives, their thoughts and motives, are utterly corrupt and bent on destruction. Their throat is like an open tomb, stinking with corruption and ready to devour their victims. They are inveterate and insincere flatterers. 5:10 Their doom is just. They should be made to bear their guilt. Their evil schemes should be made to boomerang on themselves. Their innumerable transgressions demand their eviction. Their crowning sin is that they have rebelled against the Lord God. 5:11, 12 But while God deals with His enemies in judgment, may His friends always have reason to rejoice and shout for joy as they find Him to be their Refuge, strong and sure. May all who love Jehovah magnify Him as their unfailing Defender! No question about itGod does favor the righteous man; He will surround him with grace like a protective shield.