Psalm 5: A Morning Prayer

The rising sun finds David again in prayer.

In the midst of trials and perplexities, he asks for guidance and mercy.

He recognizes God hears not only the spoken word but also the meditation of the heart (v. 1. “‘Prayer is the soul’s sincere desire, unuttered or expressed.’” David appreciates morning worship as a time to start the day right by sharing his innermost thoughts with God.

Humbly, he calls God his King (vv. 2, 3).

He knows that evil people—the proud, the insolent, the boaster, the liar, the murderer, and the defrauder—cannot exist in the presence of God.

David, on the other hand, feels at peace in the presence of God (vv. 4–7).

Because the men opposing David are evil, he can boldly approach God, asking for mercy and relief (v. 8). Absalom’s rebellion has been characterized by disloyalty and deceit. Lies have been told about David’s motives and character. Flattery has gained Absalom allies (v. 9).

The psalmist petitions God to “treat his enemies as guilty, which they undoubtedly are. He asks that they may ‘fall by their own counsels,’ that is, that their own plans may be the means of their destruction. . . . This idea is frequent in the OT [Old Testament]. Sin eventually consumes itself [v. 10].” In contrast, the Christian finds joy in the Lord.

God will shield all who place their trust in Him.

Thus protected, David is ready to face the challenges of a new day.

“‘Devotion should be both the morning star and the evening star.’ If we start the day right, we shall be more aware of God’s presence through its hours, and surer of coming to our beds at night with quietness and confidence in our hearts.” Morning and evening worship are the bookends between which a Christian navigates life’s perplexities.

“Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee, / God of glory, Lord of love; / Hearts unfold like flow’rs before Thee, / Hail Thee as the sun above.”