See the Big Picture. Dig In. Live It Out: A 5-Day Reading Plan in Psalms 1-50Sample

The Big Picture

Waking up in the morning and contemplating the challenges ahead can be overwhelming, especially when one realizes the turmoil of yesterday is still a reality today. Psalm 5, a psalm of David, is a morning prayer he prayed when he woke up with a heavy sigh and longed for God’s help as he contemplated another day of contending with the oppression of his enemies. The particular situation he was in is unknown, but whatever it was, David recognized his need for God’s help. The omission of the details of his situation makes it easier for believers facing a difficult day to apply the psalm. David’s prayer became a song. Accompanied by flutes, it provides encouragement to the people of God as they wake up to similar mornings.

Digging In

Psalm 5 consists of five sections. The first section, verses 1–3, reveals the emphatic nature of David’s plea. The parallel of “consider my sighing” and “pay attention to the sound of my cry” stress David’s sense of urgency. In the Old Testament, when something is stated twice, it is the writer’s way of expressing emphasis, but when stated three times, it becomes an extreme emphasis. The parallelism in verses 1–2 demonstrates this. David’s prayer begins with three parallel imperatives: 1) “listen to my words,” 2) “consider my sighing,” and 3) “pay attention to the sound of my cry.” These three imperatives, one right after another, communicate the intensity with which David made his petition. 

Furthermore, David used three different parallel expressions to address God as he began the prayer: “Lord,” “my King,” and “God.” Taken together, David used these names of God to express to Yahweh, his King, and God, that he is the only one to whom he cries out and is the only one he believes can answer his prayer. There is no other. It demonstrates the deep confidence David had in God in this extreme situation. The repetition of “in the morning” demonstrates that out of all the things he could have done to try to deal with his problem, the first thing he did was take it to God in prayer. David did so expectantly, knowing God would hear his voice and would answer his plea. 

In the second section, verses 4–6, David reveals that the foundation of his petition was based upon the character of God. A good and loving God cannot tolerate any form of malevolence. The Lord hates evil and is opposed to the wicked. God will not tolerate even a moment of evil in his presence. Though they try, the boastful cannot stand up in rebellion against God and survive, and they certainly will be unable to stand firm before God in the final judgment. God’s hatred of “evil-doers” means he completely rejects them and their ways. Therefore, he will destroy these liars who seek to do violence. David was desperate and appealed to his good and just God who abhorred evil to defend him from the attacks of these wicked ones who were seeking to harm him. 

It was his trust in this God that enabled David to pray what he did in the third section, verses 7–8. David experienced the hesed, the “faithful love,” of Yahweh and, therefore, was able to go to the sanctuary and worship. The word hesed in Hebrew is the most profound word in the Old Testament to describe God’s love for his people with whom he entered into a covenant. It speaks of the most intimate, loving, and faithful relationship one can have with another. David’s confidence to worship and pray was because God mercifully and graciously entered into this covenant relationship with David’s people, Israel, and also individually with David as God’s chosen king for Israel. He was accepted by God because of the hesed God had shown him. 

Consequently, David worshiped the Lord in “reverential awe” of him. How could one like David experience such kindness from God without responding in worship and a desire for God to lead him to live righteously? Because of his “adversaries,” David needed the Lord’s guidance. It is often in the face of adversity we are most prone to lose our way. 

The fourth section, verses 9–10, describes David’s enemies and what David asked God to do to them. David mentions four characteristics of his enemies: 1) What they say is untrustworthy. 2) Their goal is to destroy. 3) What they say is meant to ruin others. And 4) they conceal their destructive intentions with words that falsely convey friendship and truth. Additionally, David made three requests to God concerning these enemies: 1) Declare their guilt. 2) Let them be brought down by their own schemes. And 3) drive them away. One must note the reason David made these requests to God: “for they rebel against you.” Ultimately, their sin was not just against David, but against God, and it is this reason that truly validates David’s requests. 

In the fifth and final section, verses 11–12, David praises God for his faithfulness to bless and protect the righteous, those who take refuge in him. They are completely sheltered and shielded from harm. He exhorts every person who belongs to the community of faith to “shout for joy” and “boast about” him. Those who love God will praise him and make him known to others.

Living It Out

There are several truths believers can glean from Psalm 5. First, when we face dire circumstances and the enemy appears to have the upper hand, we should first cast our anxieties upon the Lord. We can do this with full confidence because he is our God and we are his people. Second, remember that we can cast our cares on the Lord because of who he is. He loathes evil and faithfully loves his children. Therefore, he will punish the wicked and save those who belong to him. Third, the Lord will guide us during times of trouble when our desire is to live obediently and be devoted to him. And fourth, as we trust in the Lord to help us, let us rejoice in him and make his goodness known to others.