Psalms5
American Standard Version · Public Domain
1 Give ear to my words, O Jehovah, Consider my meditation.
2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God; For unto thee do I pray.
3 O Jehovah, in the morning shalt thou hear my voice; In the morning will I order my prayer unto thee, and will keep watch.
4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: Evil shall not sojourn with thee.
5 The arrogant shall not stand in thy sight: Thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
6 Thou wilt destroy them that speak lies: Jehovah abhorreth the blood-thirsty and deceitful man.
7 But as for me, in the abundance of thy lovingkindness will I come into thy house: In thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
8 Lead me, O Jehovah, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; Make thy way straight before my face.
9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; Their inward part is very wickedness; Their throat is an open sepulchre; They flatter with their tongue.
10 Hold them guilty, O God; Let them fall by their own counsels; Thrust them out in the multitude of their transgressions; For they have rebelled against thee.
11 But let all those that take refuge in thee rejoice, Let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: Let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
12 For thou wilt bless the righteous; O Jehovah, thou wilt compass him with favor as with a shield.
Study
Psalms 5Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Psalms 5. The full AI study guide (summary, themes, context) has its own page.
Chapter Summary
In this chapter: God will certainly hear prayer: David gives to God the glory, and takes to himself the comfort. (1–6). He prayed for himself, that God would guide him, and for all the Lord's people, that God would give them joy, and keep them safe. (7–12).
vv1-6
God is a prayer-hearing God. Such he has always been, and he is still as ready to hear prayer as ever. The most encouraging principle of prayer, and the most powerful plea in prayer, is, to look upon him as our King and our God. David also prays to a sin-hating God. sin is folly, and sinners are the greatest of all fools; fools of their own making. Wicked people hate God; justly are they hated of him, and this will be their endless misery and ruin. Let us learn the importance of truth and sincerity, in all the affairs of life. Liars and murderers resemble the devil, and are his children, therefore it may well be expected that God should abhor them. These were the characters of David's enemies; and such as these are still the enemies of Christ and his people.
vv7-12
David prayed often alone, yet was very constant in attendance on public worship. The mercy of God should ever be the foundation both of our hope and of our joy, in every thing wherein we have to do with him. Let us learn to pray, not for ourselves only, but for others; grace be with all that love Christ in sincerity. The Divine blessing comes down upon us through Jesus Christ, the righteous or just One, as of old it did upon Israel through David, whom God protected, and placed upon the throne. Thou, O Christ, art the righteous Saviour, thou art the King of Israel, thou art the Fountain of blessing to all believers; thy favour is the defence and protection of thy church.
Key Words
נָצַח: properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of the Temple services and its music); to be permanent
נְחִילָה: a flute
מִזְמוֹר: properly, instrumental music; by implication, a poem set to notes
דָּוִד: David, the youngest son of Jesse
אָזַן: to broaden out the ear (with the hand), i.e. (by implication) to listen
אֵמֶר: something said
בִּין: to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand
הָגִיג: properly, a murmur, i.e. complaint
קָשַׁב: to prick up the ears, i.e. hearken
קוֹל: a voice or sound
Cross References
Psalms 5Paul quotes 'their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue' to show universal depravity.
Supported by JFB
Ahithophel's counsel falling, illustrating 'let them fall by their own counsels' in David's flight from Absalom.
Supported by Matthew Poole, John Calvin
Deep groanings of 'meditation' correspond to the Spirit's unutterable groans in prayer.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Christ's declaration to 'workers of iniquity' whom He 'never knew' matches God's hatred of them here.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Verbal and conceptual connection to God as a 'shield' encompassing and defending His servant.
Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB
Parallels David's disciplined, systematic times of daily prayer including the morning.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Illuminates 'will look up' as an expectant, patient watching for God's morning response.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Illuminates 'temple' as referring to the sanctuary housing the Ark before Solomon's temple.
Supported by JFB
Parallels the plea for a straight path because of watchful, malignant enemies.
Supported by JFB
Verbal link appealing to God's covenant sovereignty over His people as 'King'.
Supported by John Calvin, JFB
Matches the judgment theme where the wicked 'shall not stand' in God's presence.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Ahithophel's suicide displays a wicked counselor literally falling by his own counsels.
Supported by John Calvin
Theological parallel of God's holy eyes being too pure to behold or tolerate evil.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Verbal parallel warning that 'bloody and deceitful men' shall not live out half their days.
Supported by Matthew Poole
Thematic parallel of lifting hands and worshipping toward God's holy oracle.
Supported by Matthew Poole