PSALM 5

Ps 5:1-12. Upon Nehiloth-flutes or wind instruments. The writer begs to be heard, on the ground of God's regard for His covenant-people and true worshippers as contrasted with His holy hatred to the wicked. He prays for divine guidance, on account of his watchful, malignant, and deceitful enemies; and for their destruction as being also God's enemies. At the same time he expresses his confidence that God will extend aid to His people.

1. meditation-moanings of that half-uttered form to which deep feeling gives rise-groanings, as in Ro 8:26, 27.

2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.

2. Hearken-incline the ear (Ps 10:17; compare Ps 61:2)-give close attention.

my cry-that is, for help (Ps 61:2; Jer 8:19).

my King-thus by covenant relation interested in my cause.

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.

3. direct-literally, "set in order," as the showbread was placed or set in order (Ex 40:23).

4 For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.

4. For, &c.-God only regards sincere worshippers.

evil-or, "the evil man."

dwell-lodge, remain under protection.

5 The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.

5. foolish-vainglorious and insolent.

iniquity-especially such as denotes a negation, or defect, that is, of moral principle.

6 Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.

6. leasing-a lie.

the bloody . man-literally, "man of blood"-murderer.

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.

7. But-as in Ps 2:6, literally, "and."

house-(1Ch 9:23), the tabernacle.

temple-literally, "palace," applied to God's residence, the Holy of Holies (1Sa 3:3; 2Sa 22:7); the inner part of the tabernacle.

toward-not in; the high priest alone was allowed to enter.

8 Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.

8. enemies-literally, "watchers" (Ps 27:11), hence special need of guidance.

in thy righteousness-an attribute implying faithfulness in promises as well as threatenings.

make thy way straight-that is, make the way of providence plain.

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.

9. The wicked are not reliable because by nature they are full of wickedness, or literally, "wickednesses," of every kind (Ro 8:7).

sepulchre-a dwelling-place of corruption, emitting moral putridness.

flatter-or, "make smooth."

their tongue-speaks deceitfully.

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.

10. Destroy-or, "condemn" them to destruction as guilty.

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.

11. defendest-(compare Margin).

love thy name-Thy manifested perfections (Ps 9:10).

12 For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

12. with favour-or, "acceptance," alluding to the favor shown to an acceptable offering and worshipper (Le 7:18; 19:7).

shield-(compare Ps 3:3).