Psalm 5

Sunday 5^th January

Read Psalm 5

“Listen to my words, Lord,
    consider my lament.
² Hear my cry for help,
    my King and my God,
    for to you I pray.

³ In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
    in the morning I lay my requests before you
    and wait expectantly.
⁴ For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness;
    with you, evil people are not welcome.
⁵ The arrogant cannot stand
    in your presence.
You hate all who do wrong;
⁶     you destroy those who tell lies.
The bloodthirsty and deceitful
    you, Lord, detest.
⁷ But I, by your great love,
    can come into your house;
in reverence I bow down
    towards your holy temple.

⁸ Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness
    because of my enemies –
    make your way straight before me.
⁹ Not a word from their mouth can be trusted;
    their heart is filled with malice.
Their throat is an open grave;
    with their tongues they tell lies.
¹⁰ Declare them guilty, O God!
    Let their intrigues be their downfall.
Banish them for their many sins,
    for they have rebelled against you.
¹¹ But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
    let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
    that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

¹² Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;
    you surround them with your favour as with a shield.” (NIVUK)

David is lamenting evil and sin as he turns to God in a morning prayer. He recognises God’s sovereign power and authority (Lord & King) and that his prayer will be answered if he waits. Why expectantly, because he prays knowing that God hates wickedness in all its expressions, and he is praying for victory over evil and that those who worship God and seek His presence will know His love (vs7). Then David asks for a ‘straight road of righteousness’ to walk as he knows his enemies will attempt to deceive and there will be temptations to follow their lead. He asks that deception might be his enemy’s downfall, it reflects their rebellion against God and His righteousness. However, for those who trust in the Lord’s care David asks for rejoicing (sing for joy), and the final recognition is that the righteous (those who trust) will be surrounded by God’s care (shield). This is a simple morning prayer lamenting evil and asking for God’s care and equipping to seek what is right and turn away from evil. A model for every morning even if we can’t express the desire in poetry/song the way David does. 

Geoff Hinch