Psalms 5

David prays at daybreak, asking God to hear him while liars and violent men surround him. He rests his confidence on God’s holiness: evil cannot live with Him. The psalm ends by turning from the wicked to the joy and safety of those who take refuge in the LORD.

Psalms 5:1-2

David begins by asking to be heard. He calls God his King and his God, so he prays as a subject to his ruler and as a child to his Father. Even his groaning, which has no polished words, is something he asks God to consider.

BSA: groaning (“heart-searchings, distress”): His prayer is the deep inner turmoil of a troubled heart, not only spoken words. King (“sovereign ruler, Lord”): David appeals to the One who has the authority to act and set things right.

Hebrew: הֲגִיגִי (hagigi, H1901) — “my murmuring, my sighing thought.” The Hebrew behind ‘groaning’ is a low murmur or inward musing. God hears the prayer that has not yet become words.

See also: Romans 8:26.

Psalms 5:3

Morning is David’s time to pray. He does not only speak; he lays his request out before God, as one would set out an offering, and then waits and watches for an answer. Prayer here includes patient, hopeful expectation.

BSA: lay (“direct, order”): He arranges his request carefully before God, as a priest set out a sacrifice. wait (“look up, watch expectantly”): He keeps looking for God’s answer, like a watchman scanning the horizon.

Hebrew: אֶעֱרׇךְ (e’erokh, H6186) — “I set in order, I lay out.” This word is used for arranging the altar wood and the offerings. David treats his prayer as an offering laid out for God.

See also: Lamentations 3:22-23.

Psalms 5:4

David’s confidence rests on who God is. God takes no pleasure in wickedness, and evil cannot be His guest. Evil is never at home with Him. That is a comfort to those who are wronged, and a sober warning to us all.

BSA: dwell (“sojourn, inhabit”): Evil cannot even stay briefly as a visitor in God’s presence.

Psalms 5:5

Now David describes those who cannot stand before God: the proud and those who practice wrongdoing. The word ‘hate’ shows that God’s holiness is not indifferent to evil. His opposition to wickedness is real, and it flows from His goodness.

BSA: boastful (“proud, arrogant”): Pride puffs a person up against God, so such people have no place to stand before Him. hate (“abhor, detest”): God’s hatred is a settled, holy rejection of evil.

See also: Proverbs 6:16-19.

Psalms 5:6

Liars, the violent and the deceitful will come to an end. These sins often go together: deceit is used to cover violence. David is not stating a private grudge but declaring what God Himself judges, and he leaves the outcome to Him.

BSA: destroy (“bring to an end, abolish”): Falsehood and violence will not last forever; God will end them.

See also: Revelation 21:8.

Psalms 5:7

In sharp contrast, David approaches God. He does not enter on his own merit but through God’s abundant loving devotion, His steadfast covenant love. He comes with reverence, bowing toward the temple, where God had chosen to dwell among His people.

BSA: loving devotion (“lovingkindness, trustworthy love”): God’s faithful, covenant love is what opens the door to His presence. reverence (“fear, awe”): His approach to God is full of awe, not casual familiarity.

Hebrew: חֶסֶד (chesed, H2617) — “steadfast, covenant love.” This is loyal love that keeps its promises. David’s access to God rests on God’s faithfulness, not his own.

See also: Hebrews 10:19-22.

Psalms 5:8

David asks for guidance because enemies are watching for him to stumble. He wants to walk in God’s righteous way and asks for the road to be made straight, with no obstacles or traps. He knows he cannot find the safe path alone.

BSA: make straight (“clear, direct”): He asks God to remove obstacles and show a plain path. righteousness (“having God’s nature, being just”): He wants to be led in the way that reflects God’s own character.

See also: Proverbs 3:5-6; Psalm 27:11.

Psalms 5:9

David describes his enemies’ speech. Nothing they say is reliable, and inside they are full of ruin. Their throats are like open graves, ready to swallow others, and their smooth, flattering tongues hide harmful aims.

BSA: tongues (“language, words”): Their words are the tool of their deceit. deceit (“flatter, tell lies, smooth words”): Their speech is slick and pleasing on the surface, but it is meant to trap.

See also: Romans 3:13.

Psalms 5:10

David asks God to hold his enemies accountable and let their own schemes bring them down. His request is not for personal revenge. He says their rebellion is against God, and he asks that justice be done. The cry is also a reminder to leave judgment to God.

BSA: devices (“evil plans, counsels”): He asks that their own plots become the trap that catches them. rebelled (“turned against, resisted”): Their real offense is defiance of God’s authority, not only harm to David.

See also: Psalm 7:15-16.

Psalms 5:11

The mood turns to joy. Those who run to God for refuge have every reason to sing, and God’s covering over them makes their gladness lasting. They love His name, which stands for who He is, and in Him they rejoice.

BSA: take refuge (“put their trust, go to for protection”): Trust is shown by running to God as a safe shelter. name (“Your character, reputation”): To love God’s name is to love who He truly is.

Hebrew: חָסָה (chasah, H2620) — “to take refuge, to shelter.” It pictures a frightened creature fleeing to cover. Trust is not a feeling but a running to God.

See also: Psalm 2:12.

Psalms 5:12

David closes with assurance. God blesses the righteous, those who belong to Him and seek to live uprightly, and surrounds them with His favor like a great shield. They are not left exposed, even with enemies nearby.

BSA: shield (“a buckler, a protective barrier”): The word means a large shield that covers the whole person. surround (“compass, encircle”): God’s favor goes all the way around His people, not only in front.

See also: Psalm 3:3; Psalm 84:11.