Psalm 5 – A Morning Prayer for Guidance and Protection

The Verses (NASB)

A Plea for God to Hear
“Listen to my words, Lord,
Consider my sighing.
Listen to the sound of my cry for help, my King and my God,
For to You I pray.
In the morning, Lord, You will hear my voice;
In the morning I will present my prayer to You and be on the watch.”

God’s Hatred of Wickedness
“For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness;
No evil can dwell with You.
The boastful will not stand before Your eyes;
You hate all who do injustice.
You destroy those who speak lies;
The Lord loathes the person of bloodshed and deceit.”

Seeking God’s Guidance
“But as for me, by Your abundant mercy
I will enter Your house,
At Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You.
Lord, lead me in Your righteousness because of my enemies;
Make Your way straight before me.”

Judgment on the Wicked
“For there is nothing trustworthy in their mouth;
Their inward part is destruction itself.
Their throat is an open grave;
They flatter with their tongue.
Make them pay, God;
Have them fall by their own schemes!
Scatter them in the multitude of their wrongdoings,
For they are rebellious against You.”

Blessings for the Righteous
“But rejoice, all who take refuge in You,
Sing for joy forever!
And may You shelter them,
That those who love Your name may rejoice in You.
For You bless the righteous person, Lord,
You surround him with favor as with a shield.”

Context and Meaning

Psalm 5 is a morning prayer of David, seeking God’s guidance and protection in the face of wickedness and opposition. It contrasts the fate of the righteous and the wicked, highlighting God’s hatred for evil and His blessings for the faithful.

Key Themes:

Starting the Day in Prayer: David begins the day crying out to God, showing his dependence on God’s wisdom and protection (v. 1-3).
God’s Hatred of Sin: Wickedness has no place in God’s presence, and the deceitful and violent will face His judgment (v. 4-6).
Guidance for the Righteous: David seeks God’s direction, knowing that only through God’s mercy and righteousness can he walk the right path (v. 7-8).
Judgment on the Wicked: The deceitful trap themselves in their own evil, but God remains just in dealing with them (v. 9-10).
Joy and Protection for the Faithful: Those who trust in God will experience His joy, blessing, and divine protection (v. 11-12).

This Psalm reminds us that prayer should be our first response each day, seeking God’s wisdom and protection.

Reflection and Impact

Psalm 5 gives us a model for beginning the day with God and trusting in His guidance:

Begin Every Day with Prayer: David makes it a habit to seek God in the morning—a practice we should follow (Mark 1:35).
God Hates Evil, But Loves the Righteous: While God despises sin, He welcomes those who seek Him in humility and truth (Psalm 24:3-4).
Seek God’s Righteousness, Not Your Own: David knows that he stands before God only by His mercy, not personal righteousness (Titus 3:5).
Trust God for Protection and Joy: The righteous are shielded by God’s favor, finding joy and security in Him alone (Philippians 4:7).

This Psalm is a reminder that our security, wisdom, and joy come from God—not from human strength or plans.

Application

Make Morning Prayer a Habit: Before anything else, take time to pray, seek God’s wisdom, and entrust your day to Him (Psalm 63:1).
Guard Against Wickedness: Recognize that God is holy, and choose to walk in righteousness rather than compromise (1 Peter 1:15-16).
Trust in God’s Protection: When facing challenges, find confidence not in your own strength, but in God’s shield of favor (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Rejoice in God’s Goodness: Rather than focusing on struggles, choose to worship and celebrate God’s faithfulness daily (Psalm 16:11).

Closing Thought

Psalm 5 teaches us to start each day with God, seeking His wisdom, protection, and righteousness. While the world may be filled with wickedness, those who take refuge in God will experience joy, peace, and divine favor.

TIME FOR PROVIDENCE