Psalms5
New American Standard
1 Listen to my words, Lord, Consider my sighing.
2 Listen to the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God, For to You I pray.
3 In the morning, Lord, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will present my prayer to You and be on the watch.
4 For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness; No evil can dwell with You.
5 The boastful will not stand before Your eyes; You hate all who do injustice.
6 You destroy those who speak lies; The Lord loathes the person of bloodshed and deceit.
7 But as for me, by Your abundant graciousness I will enter Your house, At Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You.
8 Lord, lead me in Your righteousness because of my enemies; Make Your way straight before me.
9 For there is nothing trustworthy in their mouth; Their inward part is destruction itself. Their throat is an open grave; They flatter with their tongue.
10 Make them pay, God; Have them fall by their own schemes! Scatter them in the multitude of their wrongdoings, For they are rebellious against You.
11 But rejoice, all who take refuge in You, Sing for joy forever! And may You shelter them, That those who love Your name may rejoice in You.
12 For You bless the righteous person, Lord, You surround 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