Psalm 5:1-12 Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.… I. THE ADDRESS AND MANNER OF PRAYER (1-3). Uttered words tell not all the heart meditates. These meditations are the groanings which cannot be uttered, but which the Spirit understands (Romans 8:26, 27). As soon as we awake at early dawn let Us speak to God, "direct," set in order, our prayer. We are not to pray without method; and having prayed, look out for the answer (Habakkuk 2:1). We miss many answers, because we get tired of waiting on the Quays for the returning ships. II. CONTRASTED CHARACTERS (4-7). There are here severe expressions for the ungodly. They may not even "sojourn" with God, as a wayfaring man (2 John 10). They speak leasing, an old English word for lying. Not in the spirit of boasting, but of humble gratitude does David turn to himself (1 Corinthians 15:10). "Thy holy temple" (Daniel 6:10; 1 Samuel 1:9; 1 Samuel 3:3). III. THE PRAYER (8-12). We may appeal to God's righteousness to vindicate His righteous ones. Because He is what He is, we may count on Him (2 Chronicles 16:9). How terrible is the description of the ungodly (9), yet it is almost entirely concerned with the sins of the tongue. Wicked men are like sepulchres, fair without, corruption within, and exhaling pestilential vapours. Ver. 11. "Trust," and with it goes joy and love (Deuteronomy 33:23). (F. B. Meyer, B. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: {To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm of David.} Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. |
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