Psalm 5

Psalm 5

Introduction:

Structure:

Intro: superscription

A. vv. 1-3, Hear my cry for help

  B. vv. 4-6, You destroy all who speak falsely

    C. v. 7-8, I can worship in Your holy Temple

  B’. vv. 9-10, Declare them guilty

A’. vv. 11-12, You cover/surround him with favor

Superscription: What is interesting in the superscription is the instrument mentioned here is a flute. Flute is a very soft and gentle instrument, while the theme of the psalm is crying and pleading of the righteous with his request to God to declare the evildoers guilty (v. 10).

A. vv. 1-3, David had many people opposing him. In life, in ministry, in warfare… At the same time, he is reaching out to God – hoping that God will pay attention to his words, consider the groaning, listen to the prayers etc. Psalmist prepares a sacrifice, but the main “line” is his unity with God in prayer and waits. We can assume he waits for a response, any response: yen, no, later.

And while he prays to the LORD, he confesses Him to be his King and God. That’s the words that Thomas will use responding to the appearance of resurrected Jesus (John 20:28). Saying King, he pledges his loyalty. Saying God, he identifies YHWH as the only object of worship.       

B. vv. 4-6, 7 characteristics of sinful life: wickedness, evil, boastful, evildoers 9lit. workers/doers of iniquity), speaking lies, bloodthirsty, and deceitful. God rejects them all.  

C. vv. 7-8, David builds up the contrast with the wicked people – “but as for me” would be a better translation than “but I” (however literal it is). This is the first in Psalms when the word hesed appears. Very often it is translated as “steadfast love” (like here). Or mercy, grace, compassion, patience etc. The main aspect of this divine attribute is faithfulness. Faithfulness in a sense that nothing (grace, mercy, compassion etc.) is one time event – it has divine longevity. From the beginning of creation until we see Him face to face, He holds us in His arms and supports us by His love – all the time, that means faithfulness. Knowing this quality of God, psalmist is not looking for his way but is in search of Lord’s way.  

B’. vv. 9-10, now the psalmist goes into a comparison or response mode

	wicked	Response
1	No truth in their mouth	Make them bear their guilt
2	Their inmost is destruction	Fall by their own counsel
3	Throat is an open grave	Cast them out, for transgressions
4	Flatter with their tongue	For they have rebelled

 

A’. vv. 11-12, The LORD is a place of refuge for a godly person. See. Psalm 7:1, or Proverbs 18:10. David begins with the Name of the Lord and concludes that in Him – personally – he finds safety. We find safety being forgiven by God, reconciled with God, and restored to the right place in the presence of God.