David’s Psalm 5
I’ve been working for the past two weeks on going through the Psalms of David in connection with my two articles, A Perspective Overwhelmed and Turning Anxiety Around. I’m so super excited and should have it up pretty soon! But, we need some Jesus NOW 😉 so today we’re going to go over Psalm 5 using the Bible study method I rely on (details here). Now let’s just dive right in!
Context
Let’s look at the context. Understanding the context is important! Again, Psalm 5 is authored by David and is a song. Notes say that the flute plays the lead in this song while David sings to the living God. David had many enemies through his time serving the Lord. From his best friend’s father, King Saul, hunting him down to kill him to his own household rebelling against him, David had many hard times. One constant? He runs to God in them. Have you ever busted out in song when your heart hurts? I feel ya, I have too. In this particular psalm I think of the worship song You Are God Alone. It’s kind of an old song but when I’m singing it directly to God, it somehow morphs into less of a music preference and more of an emotional conversation.
Lead Me
5:1-3
1Give ear to my words, oh Lord; consider my groaning. 2Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. 3Oh Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.
Highlighting
Please know that these highlighted colors are not set in stone because many can fit into multiple categories. If you feel the verse fits in a different category, highlight it that color. David is starting a prayer, so all three verses are highlighted yellow.
My Notes
David wrote this psalm at a time when enemies were spreading lies about him. It astonishes me that David comes to God with what I feel is such boldness! He is legit crying out to God “Hey! Hear me! Consider me! I’m dying over here!” Verse 1 is asking God to listen and acknowledging who God is.
Also, can we just love that David is singing in the morning for a moment?! Have you ever woken up in the morning and spent time in conversation with God before starting your busy day? If not, do it! It is one of the most soul swelling, sweetest parts of my relationship with my Father. And what does David do after his morning prayer and sacrifice? He watches! This is SO wise! It’s about waiting in expectation.
5:4-6
4For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. 5The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. 6You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
Highlighting
- Verse 4= God
- Verse 5= sin
- Verse 6= sin
My Notes
Sin is no joke. I think sometimes our society downplays sin due to fear, Christ’s forgiveness, and our legal system levels (one sin being less than another). The disgust of sin in verses 4-6 is reiterated in so many other psalms – check out Psalms 1:5, 11:5, 34:16, 45:7, 52:4-5, 55:23, 75:4, 92:15. My NLT notes talk about when we grow spiritually we become more sensitive to our sin.
5:7-12
7But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love will enter into your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you. 8Lead me, oh Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me. 9For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue. 10Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you. 11But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. 12For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield.
Highlighting
- Verse 7= love & obedience (could also be worship)
- Verse 8= prayer
- Verse 9= evil
- Verse 10= prayer
- Verse 11= prayer & love
- Verse 12= blessings
My Notes
Steadfast love is mentioned so many times throughout David’s psalms. I love how he adds steadfast to it instead of just talking about love. It’s almost as if in the middle of his trials, David is constantly reminding himself that God’s love will never fade, never falter, never leave. A man after God’s own heart does it therefore I am going to adopt this practice!! Sticky notes shall be everywhere LOL! 🙂
Verse 8 really stands out to me in this psalm. To me, it wraps up what his prayer is in one verse. “Lead me in Your ways God! Show it to me plainly so that I can’t mistake it!” It’s not so much “smooth my way” or “make it level” or asking for “easy” as it is “put it plain before me”. Sometimes, no lie, I pray for God to show me His will like a red banner flying high in the sky behind a plane.
One last note on this section. Looking at verses 4-6 and 9, let us not forget that these stem from issues of the heart.
Takeaway
Ultimately as we struggle through the trials of life in this broken world, let us always remind ourselves of God’s steadfast love. May we always be examining our hearts, repenting of our sins, and giving great respect and thanks to Him. Let us start our mornings off in conversation with the Almighty King and wait expectantly!
If you’re in the middle of a trial, I pray God leads you in His righteousness, fills you with reassurance of His steadfast love and covers you with favor as with a shield. If you have any specific prayer requests regarding a trial or attack of the enemy, feel free to email me or comment below and we as believers will cover you with our prayers!
Sing to the Lord!
To get to know me better, read about me & my saved love.
Read Next:
- Psalm 18 Bible Study; Part 1. A Powerful God is Always Our Stronghold. Believing That He’s Got This.
- Psalm 18; Part 2 – No One Is Perfect
- A Perspective Overwhelmed: Overwhelming an Overwhelmed Perspective…in a Good Way
- Psalm 18, Part 3; Giving Credit Where Credit is Due…and It’s Always Due
- Deuteronomy 30 – Part 2, Choose Life or Death
Hi there! Such a wonderful post, thanks!
Thank you Daniella!