Psalms 5

Psalms 5:1-12

Protection from the Wicked Psalms 5:1-12 The ordering of prayer is very necessary, Genesis 22:9. Our Lord’ s prayer should be our model. Often our words need to be supplemented by our meditations; that is, we must make room for the “ groanings which cannot be uttered,” but which the Spirit understands, Romans 8:26-27. Distinct from either of these is the urgent ejaculation for aid which is here described as the voice of my cry, Psalms 5:2. As soon as we awake, let us speak to God. We must keep watch for the answer, Psalms 5:3, r.v. How many answers we miss, because we get tired of waiting for the return of our ships! Note the seven expressions for the ungodly, Psalms 5:4-7. As for me-the chief of sinners, but see 1 Corinthians 15:10. The Jew in prayer turned toward the Temple, Psalms 5:7; Daniel 6:10. Here the Tabernacle, which preceded it, stood for the same, 1 Samuel 1:9. We look to the Most Holy Place, whither Jesus has entered, Hebrews 10:19. The ungodly are specially characterized by sins of speech, Psalms 5:9. Wicked men are like sepulchers, which exhale pestilential odors. Their doom is inevitable. Notice the combination of trust, love, and joy, Psalms 5:11.

In the morning Psalms 5:1-3 The address and manner of prayer. Uttered words are inadequate to convey deep thought, groanings which cannot be uttered, but which the Spirit understands (Romans 8:26-27). Distinguished from either of these is the urgent call for aid, described as the voice of a cry. As soon as we awake at early dawn, let us speak to God. Let Him be the first to hear our voice. And let us direct, i.e., set in order, our prayer. The same Hebrew word is used in Genesis 22:9; Leviticus 1:7; Leviticus 24:8. We are not to pray without method (Ecclesiastes 5:1). And, having prayed, we must look out for the answer (Habakkuk 2:1). We miss many answers, because we get tired of waiting.

Psalms 5:4-7 Contrasted characters. There are here seven expressions for the ungodly. Evil may not even sojourn as a wayfaring man (2 John 1:10). Not in the spirit of boasting, but of humble gratitude, David turns to himself (1 Corinthians 15:10). The Jew in prayer looked towards the temple (Daniel 6:10). The tabernacle was spoken of as Jehovah’s temple (1 Samuel 1:9; 1 Samuel 3:3).

Psalms 5:8-12 The prayer. We may appeal to God’s righteousness to vindicate his righteous ones. Because He is what He is, we may count on Him (2 Chronicles 16:9). Then Psalms 5:8 is thus parallel to the Psalms 5:4. This terrible description of the ungodly is concerned with the sins of the tongue. It is largely quoted in Romans 3:1-31. Wicked men are like graves, which look fair without, but are full of corruption within. As by their words they sin against God and mislead the righteous, so by their words they shall be condemned and fall. David here, as God’s mouthpiece, pronounces their inevitable doom.

Here again (Psalms 5:11) we meet the oft-repeated word, trust. And with trust goes joy, and with both goes love.