This is a Psalm of David. It was written as a prayer of lament to be recited or sung during the morning with flute accompaniment. The purpose of the Psalm is to ask for God’s deliverance and protection from enemies.
It is not clear which enemies David was referring to, but in his life there were a number of people who tried to harm him. There was a time when his own son, Absalom, conspired to take the kingdom from him (2 Samuel 15). The enemies David speaks about in this Psalm were corrupt people, of deceitful words and rebels against God (Psalm 5:9-10).
David’s prayer before the Lord
Listen, Lord, to my words;
mind my moans.
Hear my pleas, my king and my God,
Because I raise my prayer to you.
In the morning, Lord, you hear my cry;
in the morning I present my prayers to you,
and I await your response.
(Psalm 5:1-3)
David begins the psalm by invoking God to ask him to listen to his prayers. He uses three phrases when going before the Lord: attend, take into account and listen to my pleas. That emphasis shows a certain sense of urgency and the urgency of his request. By persistently calling on God, David demonstrates his faith and his assurance that God would answer his cry.
The situation with his enemies was weighing him down a bit, however, he did not want to act on his own. He wanted to experience the mighty intervention of God in the midst of his circumstances. He cried out to God calling him “my king and my God.” David had a personal relationship with God, he knew his power and his love and that is the reason why he fully trusted him.
Early in the morning, at the beginning of the day, David went before the Lord to present his requests. However, he did not leave it there. Waiting for the Lord’s answer. He was certain that God heard him and would answer him. David’s firm hope was in God. He knew that God would work, so he waited alertly for his intervention. God would move, he wouldn’t let him down.
God hates evil
You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil;
The wicked have no place by your side.
There is no place in your presence for the proud,
for you hate all evildoers.
You destroy liars
and you abhor cheats and murderers.
(Psalm 5:4-6)
David describes the people with whom God is not pleased, those whom he hates. They are the wicked, haughty, wrongdoers, liars, cheats and murderers. There is no place in God’s presence for them because sin goes against their nature. God is holy, he is just, he is love, he is pure and does not tolerate sin.
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However, we know that although God hates sin, he loves people. God gives opportunities for repentance. Sadly, there are people who harden their hearts, reject God, and dedicate their lives to evil. They will end in destruction, physical and spiritual death. The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). The enemies David refers to were like this: people hardened against God.
God’s love makes the difference
But I, for your great love
I can enter your house;
can i bow down reverently
to your holy temple.
Lord, because of my enemies,
direct me in your justice;
Make your path smooth before me.
(Psalm 5:7-8)
With the phrase «but I», David distances himself from the attitude of the wicked. However, he admits that if he were on his own merits, he would not deserve to stand before the Lord. God’s love made the difference! Thanks to the love of the Lord, David had access to the temple to prostrate himself with reverence before God.
In David’s time, the temple was actually the tabernacle. Only the high priest had access to the holy of holies, however everyone could bow in reverence towards the temple or looking into the holy of holies.
Learn more about the tabernacle, what it was and its meaning
David knew he needed God’s counsel and he trusted that God would continue to guide his life. He longed to walk in the righteousness of the Lord without ever departing from his ways. He didn’t want to get caught up in his enemies or get carried away by his emotions. He needed God’s help to stand firm on the path that is straight and pleasing to the Lord.
David asks for the punishment of his enemies
There is no sincerity in his words;
inside there is only corruption.
His throat is an open grave;
with their tongues they utter deceit.
Condemn them, oh God!
Let them fall for their own intrigues!
Reject them for the multitude of their crimes,
because they have rebelled against you!
(Psalm 5:9-10)
This part of the Psalm belongs to what is known as the “Imprecatory Psalms.” The psalmist imprecates or expresses in words the desire that his enemies be punished and receive what they deserve for the damage caused. In these specific verses, David asks God to condemn and reject his enemies for their rebellion against God.
David wanted the wicked to be punished, not because of the harm they had done to him, but because of their attitude toward God. That seemed to be the basis of his evil and they should be condemned. The impression given by the verses about the behavior of these people is quite broad. They were lying, corrupt people, full of deceit and intrigue, criminals. They spoke and acted reprehensibly.
The blessing of those who take refuge in God
But let all those who seek refuge in you rejoice;
May they always sing jubilant!
Extend your protection to them, and let them rejoice in you
all who love your name.
Because you, Lord, bless the righteous;
as a shield you surround them with your good will.
(Psalm 5:11-12)
In this last section of the Psalm we find those who, like David, take refuge in God. They can rejoice and sing for joy. The presence of God in the heart of man brings joy. Taking refuge in the Lord is the best choice! Living with the Lord, focused and trusting in him, brings blessing and protection.
The just, the one who lives according to the will of God, can rejoice at all times. The enjoyment of him and the protection of his life do not come from the circumstances or the people around him. They come from the almighty Lord! There may be evil people around you or unpleasant things may be happening, but he who takes refuge in God remains firm, confident, certain that God will never fail him.
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Other articles on the Psalms that might be of interest: