Often, our first waking moments and the direction we allow our thoughts to set the tone for the whole day ahead of us. This prayer of David in the morning, which has been recorded here by the Holy Spirit, sets a contrast between the attitude of those who are wicked and boast of their own accomplishments, or intended accomplishments, and the person who puts unreserved trust in God. It is based on a relationship that has been established with the Lord, and earnest prayer is made each morning. The nurturing of this relationship with our Lord is done in the same way as any relationship we have with other people. Regular communication is needed to maintain, help, and strengthen any relationship.
In his early morning prayer, the words of David in this psalm impress us with the personal aspect of his relationship with God. The personal content is obvious. He uses "my words" to express openly that which is in his heart. "My meditation" indicates that he is not taking this communication casually, but rather expresses what he has been thinking in an orderly manner. "My cry" makes this a matter of urgency, as he speaks to the Lord. "My King" is the recognition of a famous, successful king admitting he is under the authority of, and bowing in submission to, a King far greater than he. "My God" is the expression of his conscious awareness that his Lord is the Supreme One over the universe as well as the kingdoms of the earth. It is with this Eternal God that a close relationship has been formed. It is this awesome God he looks to in the first thing in the morning, and who hears "my voice." Thoughts take form, and understandable communication takes place.
For us, the interaction of prayer and Bible reading is essential to maintain a significant and meaningful relationship with our Lord. To "look up" in confidence indicates we are ready and want to hear from our Lord. It is in the everyday affairs of life, as well as the emergencies we face, that we need the assurance of our Lord's presence and interest. People who have no personal relationship with God only call on Him when all else fails. Even then, God is not personal or very real, but only a concept or perhaps a person formed in our minds by human ideas, so we can vent our anxieties and anger on Him. The fact of a real Person of infinite knowledge and wisdom is rejected because, by nature, the unregenerate man is the pinnacle of personhood. A God of supreme intelligence and all power, and who has the personal characteristics of love, mercy, grace, meekness, and personal interest in us, defies natural human thinking. How wonderful it was when our faith was first placed in the Savior who legally dealt with our sin problem by personally paying the price of sin Himself on the cross. How wonderful it is when those who have been justified live by faith. That consciousness of our Lord with us moves us to speak to Him in the morning and listen to Him talk to us in His word. It is at such times that we renew our daily dependence on God.
It is clear that David understood that God does not condone sin. He does not excuse even the "smallest sin" which we might overlook. When we come to Him, we need to remember that He is absolutely holy and expects us to be holy as well. The boastful words of a self-opinionated person are sin. Those who find pleasure in sin and do that which is false, who lie and act deceitfully, are in opposition to our God, who is set against all who choose sin. He expects His children to be intolerant of sin in themselves and in their lives. When they have sinned, He expects us to confess and forsake sin. There is a change in the minds and lives of those who confess their sins and come into "Thy [God's] house."
They have experienced "Thy mercy," and in reverential respect, "Thy fear," worship God in spirit and in truth. "Thy holy temple," God's dwelling place, is where we focus our hearts' attention. "Thy righteousness" impresses us with the fact that there is no place for pretense, no matter what is happening to us. "Thy way" is made plain before us, and the guidance He gives us is the way our day should unfold.
There will be malicious words spoken against us by those who reject God and His word. Others will seek to undermine our faith and conduct with flattery. Still, we who know the Lord and keep in fellowship with Him by daily communication can leave all that needs to be done to our Lord, who knows all. As for us, we will trust in Him for everything. We rest in His protection, rejoice in His Person, and find our joy in the Lord Himself, and the fellowship we cherish is real to us when we connect with Him in the morning
PSALM 5. A morning prayer for protection from the enemy. The Holy Spirit can interpret our groaning just as easily as He can interpret our words according to Rom. 8:26-27. Even the pitch of the voice of the psalmist was understood. The Lord heard his voice every morning. David always remembered God’s holiness and righteousness with a sense of reverence and worship when he prayed. Believers have continuous access to the throne of grace, but the ungodly do not. He would probably face the tabernacle when he prayed. Verse 9 indicates why God should punish the wicked adversaries. Those who are His own people have reason to rejoice and shout, for He is our Refuge and unfailing Defender. He favors the righteous and surrounds him with loving kindness like a protective shield.
So, as this psalm opens, David seems discouraged. If the word "behemoth" is a reference to a musical instrument, it is a sad-sounding instrument, like an oboe, when being played. This psalm begins with a plea [v.1-3] and ends with a promise [v.12]. Between these two are four descriptions:
- The Lord [v.4-6].
- The psalmist [v.7-8].
- The enemies [v. 9-10].
- The righteous [v.11].
The Plea [v.1-3]: [1] In the morning. [2] From one who is discouraged. [3] God’s intervention is anticipated. “Direct” = order: to make an order; to place an order. “Look up” = watch: look forward; anticipating an answer. His prayer was specific enough that he would know when the answer came.
The Description: [v.4-11]: Meditates on the Lord [v.4-6]: Seven things about the Lord…
- He takes no pleasure in wickedness.
- No evil shall dwell (sojourn) with the Lord.
- Arrogant boasters will not stand before the Lord.
- The Lord hates those who work iniquity.
- He destroys those who lie.
- He abhors murderers.
- He abhors deceivers. Focusing on God’s character dispels discouragement. Our enemies are God’s enemies.
Describes himself [v.7-8]: Contrast with the wicked; a spiritual position; a prayer – he wants the Lord’s way through the conflict, not the way of his enemies. He wanted God’s way above all. Describes his enemies [v.9-10]: he hands them over to God to deal with and let them fall by their own counsel (devices). Let the Lord fight the battles for us. Rom.12:17-19 says it right. Describes the righteous [v.11]: What is your countenance like? Is it joyful? Do you live above the pressures? Is there evidence of peace on your face? When there is anger and resentment, our lips droop, and our eyes look sad. The “fallen” face is a sign of discouragement in the heart. David wanted to replace inner burdens with inner joy. The Promise [v.12]: his discouragement is gone. The shield he talks about covers his whole body, and he is protected.