Tyndale Open Study NotesPsalms 5

This group of psalms moves from an orderly world to a troubled one. Psalms 1–2 describe stability. The righteous person is blessed, and the Lord’s anointed king rules with authority.

In the psalms that follow, the tone changes. The Lord’s anointed cries out for help. He faces enemies, strong opposition, and evil plans.

It even seems at times that the Lord is far away. The psalmist feels confusion and distress instead of confidence and calm.

This morning prayer (Psalm 5:3) shows strong trust in the Lord's help and protection. The psalmist asks for God's response and waits for it (Psalm 5:1–3).

He describes the plans of the wicked in detail but stays focused on God. The psalmist knows the wicked cannot be with God (Psalm 5:4–6, 9; see 1:5).

He keeps returning to the Lord (Psalm 5:7–8, 10; see 5:1–3), and then he prays for the godly community (5:10–12; see 3:8).

The phrase give ear to my words appears in several prayers as a call for God's attention during difficult times (Psalms 39:12; 84:8; 143:1; compare Psalms 17:1; 54:2; 130:2). The needy ask their God, “Are you listening?”

• The psalmist starts and ends each day with prayer, looking for new signs of God's faithfulness and goodness (Psalm 143:8).

• wait in expectation: The psalmist does not demand God's grace but hopes for it (see Micah 7:7; Habakkuk 2:1).

• The boastful: Mockers (see study note on Psalm 1:1), the wicked (Psalm 73:3; 75:4), and the arrogant (10:2) use their words to distort the truth and challenge the faith of the godly.

• The Lord allows only the godly into his presence (see Psalm 1:5). His holiness and justice do not tolerate oppression or evil actions.

• You hate: The Lord rejects proud sinners (see also Psalm 11:5).

• God promises his loving devotion (his covenant goodness and faithfulness) to his people (see Psalm 25:6; 69:16; Lamentations 3:32).

• Your house: The righteous desire to enter God's presence with awe and wonder (see Hebrews 12:28).

• God guides those who are obedient, submissive, and patient as they wait for him to lead, provide, and protect them (Psalm 27:11; 43:3; 143:10). He does not guide those who expect God simply to approve their own decisions.

• Following the right path of wisdom leads to the Lord (Psalms 47:11; 61:2; 139:24).

The psalmist again describes the terrible acts of the wicked, who cannot stand in God’s presence.

• The psalmist prays for the justice and retribution that God promised against the wicked (Psalm 1:6). The wicked are those who have rebelled against the Lord.

• The wicked set traps to harm (Psalm 38:12) or trick others (140:4–5).

• A blessing rests on all who take refuge in God (see Psalm 18:30).

• Joy and praise go well together. The godly rejoice when they see evidence of God’s rescue. They sing joyful praises as a new song (see Psalm 33:3).

  When the Lord brings peace to the world, defeats evil, and rewards good people, they will have lasting joy (Psalms 9:2–4; 53:6; 90:14–15; 118:24).

• The children of God, who find refuge in him, love his name. To love his name is to love his very character.

• The psalmist cares not only for himself but for all the godly people.

• A shield, here an image of God’s protection, deflects spears and arrows from the one holding it.