Psalm 5
The Psalms are excellent sources of encouragement for us
EX: When things are bad, when life becomes difficult, the Psalms can help
Sometimes we don’t take the time to appreciate how valuable they can be
FACT: We are faced with many difficult decisions on a daily basis
More so, the uncertainty that we feel can really be overwhelming
Family, work, life … all these things can take a tremendous toll on each of us
Sometimes we just need to cry out to God in prayer for hope and peace (read)
Point 1 – Cry out to the Lord
David’s cry is one of exhaustion; his desire is for God to hear him (v1)
“Consider my sighing” – consider Lord, even my weariness in my breath
Please hear my cry for help – please Lord, hear me in my exhaustion as I pray
(v3) “In the morning” – the first thing David does is plead to the Lord
APP: It is vital for you to have a devotional time; to spend time with God
Even if it is something short – that time can be built upon throughout your life
IMP: Faithfulness makes this time grow; it is a treasure to be with the Lord
Early in the morning David lays his petitions before God, and waits on Him
He is waiting for guidance, for assurance, for direction … not to give God his plan
Then, David confesses to the traits of God: (v4-7)
• He does not take pleasure in evil
• The wicked cannot dwell with him
• The arrogant can’t even stand in his presence
• He hates all that do wrong
• He destroys those who lie
• He abhors those who thirst for others destruction
When we consider all that God is, here are the things He cannot stand
It is critical for us to check our own heart – do these things dwell within us?
Sure, we might not be Charlie Manson … but …
• Haven’t we wished bad things on others?
• Do we ever tell a lie or manipulate the truth?
• Do we think we are above others (prideful)?
APP: David’s cry is purposeful; it ought to bring us to a state of humbleness
Do we act this way in full view of our God who calls us to be different?
1 Corinthians 6:20 tells us that we were “bought with a price”
That price IS the very life of God’s Son, Jesus … how do we act?
IMP: Please do not be fooled here:
God will discipline and rebuke those who do the things He hates
Challenge: We must be faithful to Him; to strive to live rightly for Him
Point 2 – Pray to the Lord
David then says how he wants to live (v7-8) – it’s his petition
“I will come into your house with reverence”
Consider: How do you come to church? How did you come today?
Do you come desiring to hear from God and be challenged to change?
Or do you come to be seen, or to be entertained, or to be made to feel great?
Do we ask, as David did, the Lord to change us? “by your great mercy”
He says, “Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness …” As a parent leads a baby …
David pleads with God to change his life habits; to walk differently
In v8 we see an incredible prayer: Lead me … because of my enemies
Lord, in spite of all that attacks me, lead me to walk/testify to your perfect ways
Consider v9 and v10 as a prayer of protection:
• He even confesses that his enemies cannot be trusted
• He knows the condition of those who are all around him
• He asks for God’s guidance; to lead him correctly … to protect him
• He asks God to do the work of convicting those who are guilty
• He pleads for God’s justice to fall; for God’s righteousness to be shown
Why? Because they have rebelled against God; it is a burden to his heart
Now, in this there are two things we must see:
1. First, David is not asking for God to be mean to those He does not like
2. Second, David is confessing for God’s power to be supreme – NOT his own
Note: At no time does David say: “Let me be your judge, Lord, I’ll show them”
His prayer is that God would be glorified, that God’s power would be supreme
Then, David asks for protection for himself (it applies to us if we pray this)
Point 3 – Recognize who the Lord is (11-12)
“Let all who take refuge in you be glad”
Let those who are yours be satisfied in what and who YOU are, Lord
“Let them ever sing for joy”
Not just in a worship service, but rejoice daily in who you are, God
“Spread your protection over them”
Keep those who are yours safe, Lord; let them know they have refuge in you
“that those who love your name may rejoice in you”
That those who agape, love, your name rejoices in how great you are (see v1-2)
“You bless the righteous, you surround them with your favor as a shield”
God’s protection is eternal; it is all encompassing; will we ask for it?
In a poll this year, 83% of Americans claim to be Christian
Yet, most who are living today have no joy in their heart or in their life
Can’t we find happiness and joy in who we live for? In Christ?
Big Idea
In Psalm 5 we see a prayer of a righteous man, declaring the goodness of God
Maybe more of us ought to pray like this … ought to cry out to God like this
Christianity is not a Band-Aid for our problems; not a genie in a bottle solution
It is a way of life to draw strength from; to be assured that we are protected
To praise in the foundation that God has provided for us; not the one we create
If more of us would cry out to a merciful God who wants to hear from us;
If more of us would desire a relationship like we see David having;
If more of us earnestly sought after God instead of what we see around us;
Could we not see a change in our life like the one that David is showing us?
