NOTES for Psa 5
1 Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. |
2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. |
3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. |
4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. |
5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity. |
6 Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man. |
7 But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple. |
8 Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. |
9 For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue. |
10 Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee. |
11 But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. |
12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield. |
Hide
The contrast between the righteous and the wicked is expressed here in terms that some may find not only immodest, but even tinged with self-satisfaction. Indeed, how can one denounce the evil deeds of others while insisting on one’s own righteousness?
But if we think about it, the psalmist is not nearly as self-assured as one might imagine: he is capable both of repentance and of seeing his own sins. His promise to enter the temple clearly reveals not Pharisaic self-righteousness, but hope in the Lord’s mercy—that He will not allow one who strives to walk in the ways of the commandments to turn onto the inevitable paths of those who deny Him, the paths of evil and falsehood.
Readings for 1 March 2024
After registering, you can subscribe to any Bible reading plan. Personalized settings and other services for registered users are planned, so we recommend registering now. Registration is free. | ||
