Psalm 5

vs 1

David wants to put his case for his lament. You don't just groan unecessarily against God - you have to have a good reason. And David thinks he's got one.

vs 2

David is addressing God, just so we know. It is kinda interesting that David calls God 'king', when of course David is king. But is he really king? Apparently there's a linguistic thing where the kings of Israel weren't called kings like the pagan kings were. They were called 'princes' - that is, under the king, who understandably is God.

vs 3

David actually expects God to answer. But he waits on God for God's timing. I have heard a sermon on this verse saying that we should all pray and read our Bibles in the morning. Yeah, I don't buy it. I think all it says is that David did it in the morning.

vs 4

David now begins to talk about the nature of God - in particular, that part of his nature which means he doesn't like evil. Which means, I think, that David either wants God to do something about evil people, or that David is saying how good he is and therefore God should listen to him.

vs 5

The idea of God hating those who do wrong is an interesting one. We hear about God 'hating the sin but loving the sinner'. It's not really worded that way: not here (where I admit that yes, it is poetic) and not in other places (where God hates Esau, or the Nicolatans).

What do we do with a God who hates? I think we must also remember that he is a God who loves.

vs 6

Ok, I think we've got the point by now. But it wouldn't be poetry if you just made your point once.

vs 7

Ok, now David's point becomes clearer. Yes, God detests the wicked, but he has accepted David, but not because David is any better! Instead, it is only God's love which allows David to approach, to talk, to ask. So we've answered the question from vs4.

vs 8

And now we have David's request, which he started making 7 verses ago! He requests guidance. But not guidance regarding what to do - guidance in doing what he knows he should. David's enemies are making it hard for him to live the righteous life he knows he should. David needs to know how he can maintain his righteous life for the Lord in the midst of all this trouble. It was probably easier before all the trouble hit. Yes - David is calling out to God now that the brown stuff has hit the fan! Just like we do. But more poetically.

vs 9

These are not sword-and-arrow enemies trying to kill him. These are enemies of both God and David - trying to trap him in lies because of malice towards him. Sounds like David might be suffering politically - common enough in government. And I think we all know how much it hurts to not be able to trust people.

vs 10

Now, you might think David is being a little harsh here. I mean, these people only lied and commited verbal sins. Then your thinking is an idiot! Our culture puts verbal sins low, physical sins higher, sexual sins higher again. I'm not sure about economic sins - I think if it's someone else's money, it goes lower than verbal sins. If it's their money, probably higher than sexual sin. We're crazy in that way. But verbal sins hurt. Their pain can last a long time, and they can fracture relationships forever. And God is a God of relationships. So we can't afford to marginalise these sins. god will do what David asks - he will eventually banish those with wicked tongues, because they are guilty.

vs 11

God will make this happen too. Sure, it doesn't universally happen in this world - sometimes we feel like we're always on the wrong side of God's protection-spread. But God is always looking out for us. And we can rejoice! I might have focused on the downer verses of this psalm, but overall it's pretty upbeat in its content. Yes, it is a lament. But God is ever positive in it.

vs 12

It is for sure. Blessings to the righteous is part of the OT covenant. And they really did rely on it - they expected God to keep his promises, because God is faithful. I think sometimes we get to spiritual about our salvation, as if we can't expect anything else from God. Anyone who has lived by faith for their food and posessions and money would tell us otherwise.