Chronicles of a Journeyman

Psalm 5

Vs. 1-3: This prayer of David opens with a literal “prayer” – a plea by for his cry and voice to be heard when he comes to present his requests before God. 

Vs. 4-10: He then proceeds to describe God’s holy and just opposition to the unrighteous before affirming his own commitment to walking in reverence for God and living righteously. His address to God ends with a request for the wicked to be justly punished. This is a natural follow-up to  God’s nature as described in vs 4-6. Although these verses highlight God’s just and holy nature, don’t miss the disposition of the man who can stand before God to demand justice – he has to be committed to righteous living as well.

Vs. 11-12: The psalm concludes with a consolation for the righteous – that they can rejoice knowing that God shelters, blesses and favours them. Why would the righteous need this kind of reminder?