Psalm 5- O Lord in the Morning

 Psalm 5- O Lord in the Morning

Psalms 5:1-12 (NET) 

1 Listen to what I say, LORD! Carefully consider my complaint! 2 Pay attention to my cry for help, my king and my God, for I am praying to you! 3 LORD, in the morning you will hear me; in the morning I will present my case to you and then wait expectantly for an answer. 

4 Certainly you are not a God who approves of evil; evil people cannot dwell with you. 5 Arrogant people cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who behave wickedly. 6 You destroy liars; the LORD despises violent and deceitful people. 

7 But as for me, because of your great faithfulness I will enter your house; I will bow down toward your holy temple as I worship you. 8 LORD, lead me in your righteousness because of those who wait to ambush me, remove the obstacles in the way in which you are guiding me! 9 For they do not speak the truth; their stomachs are like the place of destruction, their throats like an open grave, their tongues like a steep slope leading into it. 10 Condemn them, O God! May their own schemes be their downfall! Drive them away because of their many acts of insurrection, for they have rebelled against you. 

11 But may all who take shelter in you be happy! May they continually shout for joy! Shelter them so that those who are loyal to you may rejoice! 12 Certainly you reward the godly, LORD. Like a shield you protect them in your good favor.

O Lord, In the Morning

There is a beautiful song, set to the words of Psalm 5, verses 1 to 3 in the King James.

Psalms 5:1-3 (KJV) 1 Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. 2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray. 3 My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct [my prayer] unto thee, and will look up.

This is one of my favorite Psalms, especially as it is sung by one of my first pastors in Pittsburgh. The version I know was new back in 1975, so that dates me somewhat. You can find it on YourTube by the Maranatha Singers.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=1y_R7DnMc2I&feature=share9

Singing this song is a wonderful way to start the morning. It helps you direct your prayer to the Lord and to look up to Him. It is good to start your day looking to the goodness of the Lord.

Consider my Meditation

There is a rather curious word in verse 1. The Hebrew word hagig (h1901 הָגִיג) can be translated as meditation, complaint, groaning, a whisper or musing. That is quite a range of meanings. Hebrew is a colorful language that is down to earth. You can almost see the psalmist here in his morning prayers, meditation on the Lord, but groaning and complaining in a quiet whisper. Have you ever been so disturbed that you were a loss for words? The Lord wants you to be honest with Him and doesn’t mind a few complaints if it is done in the proper attitude. But even if you can’t find appropriate words, the Lord can understand your groaning and crying as you meditate on His word.

I think the important thing is to start your day meditating on the Lord. Let the Lord know what is on your heart. He will hear you and direct your prayer if you look up to Him and listen to His voice.

Arrogant People

Verse 5 continues: “Arrogant people cannot stand in your presence”…

10 Condemn them, O God! May their own schemes be their downfall!

One of the surest ways to to ruin a relationship with the Lord is to be arrogant and proud. In ministering to men, in particular, this can be a a serious problem. A man who doesn’t think he needs help cannot be helped! Don’t be afraid to acknowledge your need and call out to the Lord. You also should be open to asking a trusted brother in the Lord for help as well. It is arrogant to think that you can do it all yourself and don’t need help. Anyone with that attitude cannot stand in the presence of the Lord and their own schemes will lead their downfall.

Abundant Lovingkindness

Psalms 5:7 (NASB)

7 But as for me, by Your abundant lovingkindness I will enter Your house,

At Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You.

But we are not like that. We look to the Lord’s abundant lovingkindness, bowing to HIm in reverence in the house of the Lord.

The word used here for “abundant lovingkindness” is very interesting. The Hebrew word chesed (h2617a חֶסֶד) is very descriptive of many attributes of the Lord: goodness, kindness, devotion, faithfulness, favor, loving kindness, mercy, righteousness and unchanging love.

That is why we can trust in the Lord, knowing he loves us and that His fundamental character is “chesed”! Personally, I have trouble comprehending this abundant lovingkindness. I am fundamentally an intellectual type of person, and such a concept cannot be understood  by simply thinking about it. It must be felt and experienced. Understanding emotions is not the native language of my brain, so I have trouble with this, but I’m working on it. But one day, I will be able to go the heaven and see Him face to face, and then I will be able to understand how much He loves me. In the meantime, I do my best to bow to Him in reverence in the house of the Lord.

Rejoice

Psalms 5:11-12 (NKJV)

11 But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You;

Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them;

Let those also who love Your name

Be joyful in You.

12 For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous;

With favor You will surround him as with a shield.

The results of dedicating your life to trusting the Lord are quite impressive: “Rejoice”, “shout for joy”, “be joyful”, “be blessed”, “find favor” and “shielded”. That is a list that should motivate you to serve the Lord. Who doesn’t want to live in joy, blessing and favor of the Lord! 

So in conclusion, start your day meditating on the Lord, even if you have to complain about your current circumstances. But keep praying and meditating until you can come to a place of rejoicing. You will be blessed and experience the abundant lovingkindness of the Lord. And if you are like me and have trouble with some of this, get with some trusted brothers in the Lord so you can enter into this joy and blessing together.