Presented, Sunday, March 07, 2004
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PSALM 5
Consider My Meditation

 Psalm 5 is another psalm written by David.  The exact time of its writing is not know but we know it was written during one of the troubling times in David’s life – for his enemies sought to destroy him.  Like the first 4 psalms this one contrasts the righteous with the ungodly (not every psalm does that).

Its superscription tells us it was “A psalm of David”.  It was directed to “the chief musician” as was the last one.  “With flutes” from a word (KJV – Nehiloth) that laterally means “to bore through” which is why it is believed to be a flute.

This psalm is one in which David acknowledges the importance of prayer, especially in the morning as one rises and calls for God’s strength as you go through the day.

 I.  The Importance of Prayer (Vs. 1-3)

A.      In three phrases David asks God to hear his prayers

a.        Give ear to my words – a request that God hear his utterances

b.       Consider my meditations – the actual word means “groaning, sighing”.  These are more than word, these are thoughts – one considering his plight and carefully thinking about his needs. 
The idea of meditation is that which you have given due consideration to – i.e. Philippians 4:8 – Think on these things.

c.        Give heed to the voice of my cry – more than a request, but a pleading – thus it is from the heart.  A vehement desire – Hebrews 5:7 – consider Jesus.  He cried out with a loud voice – Matthew 27:50, Jesus cried out with a loud voice and yielded up His spirit.

B.       Prayer directed to God in the morning

a.        All our prayers need to be directed toward God – a word that means “to set in a row. i.e. arrange, put in order” (Strong).  Used of arranging the sacrifices properly and in other senses.  Are our prayers well thought out and planned?

b.       What a good time to pray – while our thoughts are still clear, we are well rested and before we encounter the cares and concerns of the day.
With morning prayer we also begin our day with a reminder about God.  That is something we can carry with us all day long.  If Satan can convince us to skip this exercise he can win the day.

C.       IN OUR PRAYERS – Do we put the thought into our prayers we ought to? 

a.        It is one thing to utter words (Matthew 6:7 – vain repetitions) just to say them, but it is another thing to think about what your needs are and then to turn to God for help. 

b.       In our prayers, we need to cast all our cares upon Him (1 Peter 5:7);

c.        Pray fervently – James 5:16; and with understanding – 1 Corinthians 14:15
Do we go to Him with vehement desires, knowing that He can help us (James 1:5-6)

d.       Are we “looking up” as we pray?  Do we really expect to be heard? Is there anything in our lives that would hinder our prayers?

 II. God Does NOT Take Pleasure in Wickedness (vs. 4-6)

A.      In these verses we find the standing of the wicked in God’s eyes.

B.       There are 6 descriptions, and some point out that it could be a progression

a.        He does not take pleasure in wickedness – there is NO joy in what they do.  i.e. – “that’s not funny”

b.       Evil will not dwell with Him – he is not going to allow wickedness to stay (sojourn) in His presence.

c.        The boastful will not stand in His sight – those who practice such will be driven from Him – Note God stays – the boastful are the ones who have to leave

d.       He hates workers of iniquity – expressing His utter contempt for those opposed to Him.  NOTE: Does God hate anyone?  It seems so here.  But in reality, this is not describing a specific person, but a specific disposition or attitude.
Let it be understood that while all sin IS iniquity and it WILL carry punishment unless it is repented of, there are some who are more wicked than others.  There are some who have sin in their lives and there are others who live for sin.  Much of the condemnation we read in scriptures is directed toward this last group.
When the prophets spoke, often the leaders bore the brunt of the responsibility.
How often do you read of those the Lord abhors.

e.        He will destroy those who speak falsehood – the punishment of the wicked

f.         He abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man – such are an abomination to Him.  Two of the many things that God abhors –  cf. Proverbs 6:16-19. 

C.       What can we learn from this? What God hates and abhors we ought to hate and abhor.  Does that mean we can hate others?

a.        NO!  First of all, we are to love all, including our enemies – Matthew 5:44-45. 

b.       Second – we should never put ourselves in such a place of judgment – Romans 12:19-20

c.        Third, BUT we should not associate with them – 2 Timothy 3:5 – from such people turn away  (1 Timothy 6:5 – from such withdraw yourself)

 III. The Righteous Are Not Like That (vs. 7)

A.      “As for me” – David expresses here his desire to do what he knows is right.  He is not going to follow the rest of the crowd.  Each of us has to reach a point where we decide once and for all for ourselves that we will follow after God.

B.       Unlike the wicked, the righteous desire to be in the presence of God – (cf. John 3:19-21 – where the wicked love darkness).
While the wicked often take no thought about God, our desire is to be in His presence.

C.       We will come into His house – we will approach Him (in prayer).  In fact it is something we are DETERMINED to do.  All of our efforts are directed toward that.
Do we really determine to come into the presence of God?

D.      “In the multitude of Your mercy” – We are dependent upon God. 
We surely will not enter His presence with our own righteousness.  Ephesians 2:4-5; 1 Peter 1:3,

E.       We worship Him in fear (fear that leads to eventual reverence) – Hebrews 12:28 – whom we serve with reverence and godly fear.
Note that David prays this speaking of worshipping God “toward Your holy temple”.  An alternate reading is, “the temple of Your holiness”.  What is interesting is David penned this BEFORE the building of the temple, so obviously he has reference to where God’s presence is.

IV. David’s Prayer (vs. 8-12)

A.      Here is David’s prayer to God.  His request.

B.       At first he requests God’s guidance (vs. 8).  When we are in the presence of enemies, or being threatened by them is when we need to turn to God the most.
I think of Jesus in the Garden as He prayed three times – and God sent an angel to comfort Him (Luke 22:43).

C.       Vs. 9 – Describes the attitude of the wicked – they are set against God.  Here is described the worst of the worst.  David’s enemies, like ours, are not just those who we disagree with, but those who are out to cause us hurt.  Those whose goal it is to prevent us from worshipping and serving God.  It is upon these that David cries from immediate vindication.
NOTE: Part of this verse is quoted in Romans 3:13

D.      Vs. 10 – David’s request – pronounce them guilty

a.        Note that David is content to let God do the judging – so should we be

b.       He requests that their wickedness backfire on them – as it often does.  How often do the ways of the wicked, while they seem to prosper at first, return with greater problems.  Many of the problems we face as a nation are a product of ungodly seeds planted generations ago.

c.        He requests that God “cast them out” – remove them so that we CAN faithfully serve

d.       The ultimate reason – they have rebelled “against You”.  When it comes to sin, this is the ultimate cause.  They have sinned against God.  When we pray against the wicked, this ought to be the reason – not for selfish gain.

E.       VS. 11-12 - As David concludes his prayer he acknowledges the blessings and protection of God.

a.        He who trusts in God has the TRUE source of joy and a real cause for rejoicing.

b.       God defends (or protects) His righteous.  In this life there are certainly times when we wonder about that, but rest assured that the Lord knows those who are His (2 Timothy 2:19) and He will avenge injustices against them – 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9, 2 Peter 2:4-9, esp. 9.
With favor He will surround us with a shield (vs. 12)

 Once again, we find a psalm in which the godly and the ungodly are contrasted.  If there is to be any hope in our lives, it is clear which side we need to be on.  What about you?  Can you turn to God in prayer for strength and deliverance?  Can you turn to Him in hope?  If you are not a Christian, then you cannot turn to Him – Why not remedy that this evening while there is still hope?