Devotions

Psalms 5:7 But I enter your house because of your abundant covenant faithfulness; I bow down toward your holy temple revering you.
One might expect the psalmist to compare his own honesty to his enemies’ deception. But he does not go there. Instead, he prays for God to vindicate him on the basis of God’s covenant faithfulness. This believer knows himself. He cannot approach God on the basis of his worthiness. He asks for grace from the God of grace.

Psalms 5:6 You destroy those who tell lies; Yahveh hates bloody and deceitful people.
The psalmist declares his faith in Yahveh as a God who does not tolerate those who attack with lies. Such people use falsehood as a weapon in order to get society to punish the people who stand in the way of their plans. But the psalmist knows that God knows the truth. He will destroy the ones who use their tongues to destroy the innocent.

Psalms 5:5 The arrogant one cannot stand in your sight; you hate all troublemakers.

The psalmist is dealing with some arrogant troublemakers, and he prays to God about them. He reminds God that he has an aversion to that kind of person. He is asking God to remove a problem they both share. Perhaps he is also suggesting that his troublemakers are too much for him, but he knows that they are not too much for God.

Psalms 5:4 Because you are not a God who enjoys wickedness; evil cannot stay living with you around.

The psalmist knows that his problems will soon be addressed because he knows what kind of person God is. He has declared himself as part of God’s kingdom, so he knows the king will not tolerate wickedness and evil. Sooner or later, the king will clean house.

Psalms 5:3 In the morning, Yahveh, you hear my voice; in the morning I plead my case to you and watch in expectation.

This is not a person who waits until something bad happens and rushes to get God to rescue him from it. No, the psalmist begins his day with a full disclosure to his creator. Then, he spends the day watching to see how God is going to show up. For him, every day could be breakthrough day. But if it isn’t today, the next day repeats the cycle.

Psalms 5:2 Pay attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, because I am praying to you.

The psalmist has only one king and one God. He comes to God not as a last resort but as his only hope. This is biblical prayer. We can work hard, as if it all depends on us, but we cannot stop there. We also need to pray hard, because it all really depends on him.

Psalms 5:1 Listen to my words, Yahveh; think about what I am agonizing over.

The psalmist believes in prayer. He dares to believe that God will actually pay attention to words that he says.  If we cannot say that about our prayers, we need to revisit the cross. Surely a God who cared enough to send his Son to die for you cares about what you are struggling with!

Psalms 4:8 I will both lie down and sleep in peace, because you alone, Yahveh, make me live in safety.

Not only does the psalmist appreciate the opportunity to witness about his relationship with God, he is also grateful for the security that knowing God gives. It is a feeling of safety that many accusers cannot take away.

Psalms 4:7 You have put more joy in my heart than they have when they have an abundant grain and new wine harvest.

The psalmist reflects on his joy at knowing God, and considers it a greater blessing than his accusers have known. He is asking the LORD to help him show that joy as a testimony of God’s existence and faithfulness.