Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary < PSALM 5
Ps 5:1-12. Upon Nehiloth—flutes or wind instruments. The writer begs to be heard, on the ground of God's regard for His covenant-people and true worshippers as contrasted with His holy hatred to the wicked. He prays for divine guidance, on account of his watchful, malignant, and deceitful enemies; and for their destruction as being also God's enemies. At the same time he expresses his confidence that God will extend aid to His people. 1. meditation—moanings of that half-uttered form to which deep feeling gives rise—groanings, as in Ro 8:26, 27. Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. 2. Hearken—incline the ear (Ps 10:17; compare Ps 61:2)—give close attention.
my cry—that is, for help (Ps 61:2; Jer 8:19). my King—thus by covenant relation interested in my cause. My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up. 3. direct—literally, "set in order," as the showbread was placed or set in order (Ex 40:23).
For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee. 4. For, &c.—God only regards sincere worshippers.
evil—or, "the evil man." dwell—lodge, remain under protection. The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity. 5. foolish—vainglorious and insolent.
iniquity—especially such as denotes a negation, or defect, that is, of moral principle. Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man. 6. leasing—a lie.
the bloody … man—literally, "man of blood"—murderer. But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple. 7. But—as in Ps 2:6, literally, "and."
house—(1Ch 9:23), the tabernacle. temple—literally, "palace," applied to God's residence, the Holy of Holies (1Sa 3:3; 2Sa 22:7); the inner part of the tabernacle. toward—not in; the high priest alone was allowed to enter. Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. 8. enemies—literally, "watchers" (Ps 27:11), hence special need of guidance.
in thy righteousness—an attribute implying faithfulness in promises as well as threatenings. make thy way straight—that is, make the way of providence plain. For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue. 9. The wicked are not reliable because by nature they are full of wickedness, or literally, "wickednesses," of every kind (Ro 8:7).
sepulchre—a dwelling-place of corruption, emitting moral putridness. flatter—or, "make smooth." their tongue—speaks deceitfully. Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee. 10. Destroy—or, "condemn" them to destruction as guilty.
But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee. 11. defendest—(compare Margin).
love thy name—Thy manifested perfections (Ps 9:10). For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield. 12. with favour—or, "acceptance," alluding to the favor shown to an acceptable offering and worshipper (Le 7:18; 19:7). shield—(compare Ps 3:3). |
