Addressing the Almighty in prayer, David confesses God's righteousness. In David's time, as probably in...
Addressing the Almighty in prayer, David confesses God's righteousness. In David's time, as probably in every age, people justified their unbelief by claiming that God is indifferent to human affairs. Supposedly, He does not care what we do, and so it is better to be a scoundrel, since that is at least profitable. Addressing God as his King, David glorifies the fact that God is not indifferent to what happens in the world. As in other psalms, David both states his experience and asks for it. He says that righteousness finds blessing in God's sight and that wickedness awaits destruction, while at the same time asking that this truly be so in real life. This distinction between good and evil matters because it leads a person into the House of God, into His mysterious presence, where alone life is possible.
Let us note the logic underlying David's prayer. Instead of doubtfully assuming the worst about God, he chooses the path of trust, on which the experience of each step becomes support for the next. Such faith is not afraid of doubt, because it rests on the real experience of communion with God. Nor does it wait for signs, because it is founded on a person's good will.
5 David beseeches God to hear his prayer, Psa 5:1-3.
Assures himself of God's justice against his enemies, Psa 5:4-6.
Declares his resolution: to serve God, Psa 5:7.
Prays for himself and the people of God, and against his enemies, Psa 5:8-12.
To the chief musician upon Nehiloth, A psalm of David.
Title of the psalm. Nehiloth - This is no where else used in scripture.It is thought to signify a wind - instrument, as Neginoth signified stringed instruments.
5:1 Meditation - My prayer accompanied with deep thoughts and fervent affections of soul.
5:3 Morning - Every morning. As soon as I wake, I am still with thee, as he saith, Psa 139:18. The first thing that I do is to pray to thee.
5:4 Surely - Thou dost not approve of, nor delight in them, or in their prayers. Dwelt - Have any fellowship with thee.
5:7 Come - With holy boldness and confidence. Mercy - Trusting only in thy great mercy. Fear - With an holy dread and reverence of thy majesty. Towards - Looking towards it, when I cannot come to it.
5:8 Righteousness - In thy righteous laws. Because - That I may give them no occasion of slandering me, or religion for my sake.The way - The way wherein thou wouldst have to one walk. Plain - That I may clearly discern it, and readily walk in it.
5:9 Throat - Wide opened ready to devour all that come within their reach. A metaphor from wild beasts gaping for the prey.
5:10 Destroy - Condemn and punish them. Cast - Out of thy land, and from among thy people.