We’ve been looking at a pattern in Scripture, where God says:
You are my people!
And His people reply:
You are my God!
This is the heart attitude
we are to have all day long, no matter what life brings.
We find it again in one of my favorite psalms: Psalm 5. Things are not going well for David, and he is so troubled he tells God he doesn’t even know how to pray, but He asks God to consider his groaning, to hear his cry for help for He is:
My King and My God
It reminds me of the scene from The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe when the children realize Aslan is a lion, and wonder if He could be “quite safe.” And this is the answer:
As you may know, I was in the Texas prisons all week. As always, it is a time of wonder at the joy He puts in these sisters’ hearts, who have had everything this world values taken from them. It is also a time of intense spiritual warfare. At times it is easy to feel, as I know our dear Laura felt last week, like the enemy is winning. On the day I was to speak to the biggest group of women, we had warfare from beginning to end. When we arrived, they couldn’t find our permits to come. Then when we finally got to the room, the women weren’t there and we didn’t know why. Dear Linda did her best to persuade the guards. Finally about 1/4 of them filed in and so we began — they were so hungry, hanging on every word, soaking up God’s truth about heart idols. But when I was half-way done, suddenly they were all ordered to leave immediately. Even the guards felt badly, but it had to be done for the numbers didn’t add up and someone might have been missing. (It’s usually mis-numbering, but of course, they have to make sure.) The women were so very disappointed, and yet, also, (as such a witness to me!) they trusted God, knowing He had allowed it and that He only gives Satan enough rope to hang himself.
You may remember the little gal named Lucy, who had such a powerful testimony on the impact of The Song of Songs:
Lucy was to be released recently, and had been accepted into a wonderful halfway house to help her with reentry, but she was kidding around one day, said something foolish that was overheard by an authority, and her sentence has been extended. Yet Lucy owns her wrong, and has accepted this severity of consequence with the same attitude of trust we see in Psalm 5. Lucy’s God is her King, and whatever He allows is best. God’s ways are mysterious, but using the Lewis metaphor, we thought we were being made into a decent little cottage, but He is making a castle, tearing down walls, and it can hurt abominably,
The Psalms not only show us how hard life is,
they show us how the righteous live
in “the muck of life.”
That’s a title of an excellent little
commentary on the first ten psalms:
IPsalm 5 is one of my beloved psalms, yet Davis gave me new insights I’m eager to share with you. It’s going to be a week that can truly help your prayer life to be powerful and effective. I also have a sermon for you on Psalm 5 by Ralph Davis I think will be a blessing.
On a personal note, please pray for the filming of the promotional The Jesus Who Surprises, today. Though the weather prediction is rain, God can bring the sun, though I will be tired, God can give me energy and anointing, and indeed, there may be spiritual opposition — in fact, if there is not, it may be evidence that what I’m doing doesn’t matter to Satan — so I want to face it with prayer, the shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit. Thank you so much for all of your prayers. I really cannot express how much they mean to me.
Sunday:
1.What stands out to you from the above and why?
2. What hard thing are you facing that you can trust God with, because He is “Your King and Your God?”
Monday: Cry out for help in praying!
Prepare your heart with this:
Lord, listen to me and understand what I am trying to say,
My God and King. Psalm 5:1-2 (ERV)
David says, “The best posture for praying is to realize we need help in praying.” How wise to begin each “morning prayer” with “Lord teach me to pray.” And then be still before Him before you pray…you are not praying to a distant stranger, you are praying to “My God and My King.” Davis says we too often begin just by rambling, and says, “I do not advocate eloquence in prayer, but I want to reject thoughtlessness.”
3. Meditate on Psalm 5:1-2
A. What do you see?
B Now, begin your morning prayer with a request for help in praying. Be still before Him. What
does He show you should do first? .
David is facing danger, so the first thing he does is list things he knows about God. This is a great way to begin prayer not only with praise but with a way to, as Davis says, “supply the basis for David’s expectancy in prayer.”
4. Meditate on verses 4-7 and explain what David knows to be true of God. Find the gospel in this as well.
5. Now, you pray some things you know to be true about God that will bolster your confidence in His help.
6. David says Psalm 5:5 disagrees with the belief that God hates the sin but not the sinner. I’ve pondered this — but I also realize that may not hold true for us, for our judgment is often faulty. Thoughts?
Tuesday: Make Your Request
Davis says we might expect David to contrast he superiority with the evildoers, but that is not what he does.
7. On what basis does David make his request according to verses 7-8?
8. Now, make your request in the same way.
9. 1 John tells us there is no fear in love. How do you reconcile that with verse 7? (Truthfully, I’m not sure of this answer and are eager to hear your thoughts.)
Wednesday-Thursday: Declare Your Confidence
Davis says that though we may be hesitant to pray like this against God’s enemies, the truth is, “God’s people cannot enjoy security and safety unless God’s enemies are taken out of the way.” This is interesting to me in light of the Kavanaugh hearings. By now there be a decision — but I have been praying for justice to be done, for God’s enemies to be defeated, whoever they are, and for the righteous to be upheld. We should also pray this for our brothers being persecuted. We should pray this for our own lives, for we have spiritual enemies, we battle not against flesh and blood. All the things in this psalm are relevant — to ask for help in praying, to come humbly and in confession, to list what we know about God, and then to pray with confidence.
10. Read Psalm 5:9-12
A. What does David request concerning God’s enemies? (9-10)
B. Why? (11-12) And how do you see praise closing this Psalm?
11. Now, apply this to your own life and pray.
Friday: Sermon on Psalm 5 by Dale Ralph Davis
12. Share your notes and comments
Saturday:
13. What is your take-a-way and why?
82 comments
I love the C.S. Lewis quotes about Aslan and the castle. Through this past week I have been reminded of His quiet work in our lives; a text from someone I didn’t know the day I posted my pain here…the text wished me a good morning and led to a quick conversation about God (!), a veggie tales show about Joshua and how God has some seemingly crazy ideas at times that actually end up working, and finally, a friend who stepped up to the plate to help remind me that I do have degrees and have taught nearly 23 years, so I should stand up for myself and not be afraid. Maybe God spoke through her?
So glad for this report, Laura. God Hunts! Yes.
So glad Laura that you have felt the Lord in your life this past week. So happy to see this post.
Oh Dee–praying for the filming for The Jesus Who Surprises, for His blessing upon all the many details and for it to bring Him glory. Thankful for your safe return–saddened by the women having to leave early and especially for Lucy, but I know He is greater and can use all things for His purpose. So thankful you were able to speak life and truth into their lives–so hard to imagine the darkness that must creep into their hearts and minds, but oh He that is in them is greater.
Thank you, Lizzy. We just finished the filming and the couple who did it were wonderful. So appreciate your prayers.
I had such a tight layover in O’Hare because of my first plan being late — 10 minutes to get across, but a man in a cart swooped me up and it was a race fit for a movie! We made it and I made the filming! Thank you!
Oh wow Dee. God is so good to those who seek and follow Him. I’m so glad you made it home in time to be able to film The Jesus Who Surprises. Can’t wait!
So glad, Dee, to hear that it went well with the filming. Sorry for all the warfare in Texas, but believing God can bring greater good out of it. Continuing to pray for your ‘re-entry’.
1. What stood out? Your saying that whatever comes, you want to face it with prayer, the shield of faith and the sword of the Spirit. What a wonderful testimony! That is the attitude I want to take into each day.
2. What hard thing am I facing? My husband is having an angiogram on Friday. I am trusting God for all of that.
Thanks, Mary. May the Lord be with your husband and show mercy.
Prayers for your husband that a good report is given. And prayers for you Mary as you wait.
Mary, how was your husband’s angiogram?
It was good to hear about your time with the ladies in the prison, Dee! It is truly a ministry to those women and you have served our very Lord Jesus inasmuch as you served these women in this hard place. “I was in prison, and you visited Me!” Thank you for the outline of Psalm 5: confession in humility, listing what we know to be true about God, prayer, and praise! Love it, and have written it in my notebook to follow. And I especially am thankful for the reminder once again about “My God!” and “My people!” How very precious and so helpful to sob those words, “My God!” when no other words will come out, and so very beautiful to feel His very presence engulf me with His response, “My people!” “Comfort ye, comfort ye My people, saith your God.” (That verse sums it up! Isaiah 40:1). I hope you get some much needed rest.
Sunday:
1.What stands out to you from the above and why?
a. The C.S. Lewis quote on Aslan being unsafe.
b. The intense spiritual warfare at the prison. Dee, indeed, the enemy did not want God’s Word and love proclaimed. I am thankful for the women who were able to hear you even if you were just halfway done.
c. Lucy’s sweet testimony.
d. the way of the righteous in the muck of life-how fitting! Curious about the red things in the picture. Yes, I can live a righteous life amidst the muck because I have Jesus to help me.
Thankful for your safe flight as well as the filming. Looking forward to reading your new book. Praying for rest for you, Dee and encouragement for your ministry.
2. What hard thing are you facing that you can trust God with, because He is “Your King and Your God?”
It seems hard (pardon the pun) to think of hard things. It seems like the closer I am to God, the more things I feel are hard. I spend a little more time weighing what I should do whereas before I would just go with my gut instinct. Granted some of these things came out good, God was more of an afterthought. Now, He seems to have a staying hand on me; I am learning to wait on Him and that is hard.
On the reality side, I and my director and a few other teachers will be meeting with the parents of a student who may be dropped from my class because of academics and inappropriate behavior. This is always hard for me. I would appreciate your prayers. Because of a similar incident last year, I am dreading the meeting on Wednesday. But I will trust God as my King and my God.
Bing — I hadn’t noticed “the red things” on the cover of Davis book — on my book I can tell it is a barbed wire fence and the red things are posts. The road is muddy. So now we contemplate on why the artist/author wanted to accentuate the fence!
Praying God shows up big time Wednesday for you.
Thank you, Dee. I am at home today as I have developed hives on my body. I am not sure where it is coming from. I was able to get an appointment with my primary doctor-an answer to prayer as she is one busy lady and often is booked for the day.
I do have a prayer request: I am in charge of our annual women fellowship luncheon which will be held on Sunday. We have 60 signed up, double the number we had last year. I feel the enemy at work with my health, school issues. Praying I will not be distracted and will cry to my God and King with boldness and confidence. Half of those who signed up are not from our church and several are high school girls who are in a bible study but have not accepted Christ. Our theme is “God’s purpose for your life.”
Bing, praying your doctor can discover what is causing the hives! Have you been on any new medications? Or changed laundry detergents, anything like that?
Susan, there isn’t a place to click and reply to your inquiry so I am replying to my own entry lol. Thanks for asking. We are now thinking it might be the catfish that I bought and fixed at home. It tasted funny when I ate it. My doctor had some blood drawn to do an IgA test. She and I were concerned as my throat was itchy and I was hoarse. No difficulty of breathing, though. And I need to be well this week. Appreciate your prayers.
Praying for you Bing that God covers you with health and blessings.
Sunday:
Dee, I will continue to pray for you, that you find the refreshing strength of our Lord Jesus as you continue to follow his leading.
1.What stands out to you from the above and why? – My heart breaks for Lucy, the feelings she must have had to be so close, but from her testimony, she has a heart for the Lord and I know she trusts Him with her life. I can see her helping you tremendously Dee when you are not at the prison. I see her being used by God and perhaps that’s why her comment was overheard. He’s not done with Lucy yet in the prison.
2. What hard thing are you facing that you can trust God with, because He is “Your King and Your God?” – Some of you may remember me writing about my oldest son Kyle who was injured in Afghanistan 8 years ago. He is struggling bad right now. He’s depressed, lonely, tired (working 6-7 days a week), doesn’t see his son like he would like. And on top of all this, he blames himself for the angry spirit his son Logan, who is 5, has now. He is so overwhelmed, and as his mom, I am worried about him. I cry out to God to help him find his way back to Jesus and the cross. That he puts a godly woman in his life so he can have the family he so longs for. This situation is bringing me down to see him like this, but I need to give his life to the Lord. I know he can take care of him again, like he did when He saved his life in Afghanistan. Lord please hear my cry.
Julie, I will pray for Kyle, and you and Logan too.
Thank you Laura!
Julie, praying for Kyle and for his son, Logan. Lord, draw Kyle to yourself. Speak to his heart and let him know of your love. Praying for Julie as well. Moms are so tender when it comes to their children. Hearken your ear to our cries.
Thank you Bing!
1. What stands out to you from the above and why?
“No matter what life brings”, and how we can feel like the enemy is winning. I’m sure you all heard about the horrific limousine crash in NY, killing 20 people. Four sisters from one family. Newlyweds. Parents of young children. I can’t wrap my mind around the theological statement that God allows these things. Since the Fall, things have gone terribly wrong in this world. I struggle with the knowledge that God is in control when things in this world are so out of control.
I feel badly for Lucy. One would think the guards have observed her behavior for a long time and by now, know her character. We can all say things at times, jokingly, that we don’t mean and later realize were foolish things to say. I have read posts from last week, and my heart goes out to you, Laura. I do know some believers who seem to have fairly trouble-free lives, with children who are all believers, and many other blessings besides. It seems like getting away with a crime, as a believer, to not suffer as much as others. I don’t understand it.
Susan, I was thinking the same thing. I feel so bad for her.
3.A. I see David asking God to listen
B. What does God tell me to do first in prayer? Today it was to sing. It seems to be so important to recognize who God Is at the beginning of prayer.
4. God takes no pleasure in evil. The wicked cannot stand in His presence. God hates all who do wrong. God destroys liars and abhors those who are bloodthirsty and deceitful.
God has great mercy and allows us into His house. He encourages us to bow down to Him.
The gospel here is that even though men are wicked, God still wants a relationship with us. But it must be on His terms, not ours.
3. Meditate on Psalm 5:1-2
A. What do you see?
I hear lament in David’s words. I also see that he is voicing his request and wants God to hear him. He begs but acknowledges God is his leader.
B Now, begin your morning prayer with a request for help in praying. Be still before Him. What does He show you should do first?
Before I did this task I read the verse of the day on my bible app. It was about humility and humbling myself in the situations that are haunting me right now.
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.”
Philippians 2:3-4 ESV
http://bible.com/59/php.2.3-4.esv
It dawned on me that I need to lift others up regardless of my circumstances more than I have been doing. It does not seem, to the world, that I should do so, but God’s ways are not the ways of the world. I need to remember that.
4. Meditate on verses 4-7 and explain what David knows to be true of God. Find the gospel in this as well.
– God does not delight in wickedness.
– God does not have evil within.
– God does not receive those who boast.
– God abhors evil doers.
– God will take down liars.
– God does not like men who are blood thirsty or deceivers.
With respect to the Gospel, verse 3 suggests David will sacrifice in the morning, while he waits. Also, the traits spoken of God would be true of Jesus as well.
5. Now, you pray some things you know to be true about God that will bolster your confidence in His help.
God is always with me. God guides me. God wants all people to be treated with respect because they are all His making, God will judge, God has the plan and is in control, God doesn’t need my help, God can do anything that seems impossible.
6. David says Psalm 5:5 disagrees with the belief that God hates the sin but not the sinner. I’ve pondered this — but I also realize that may not hold true for us, for our judgment is often faulty. Thoughts?
Well, Jesus was in the presence of sinners on the cross. Maybe He is the link between them and God?
Here is Laura, pressing in and praying for others in the midst of her own storm.
3. Meditate on Psalm 5:1-2 A. What do you see?
Reading a few different translations, I like the MSG here, “Listen, God! Please, pay attention! Can you make sense of these ramblings, my groans and cries? King-God, I need your help.”
It reminds me of Psalm 43:5 “Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
There are times I feel disturbed within and yet I am such a jumbled mess it is hard to know how to pray. As I read this morning, I see how David does not stay focused on his own emotions, the disturbance within, but teaches me to re-direct my thoughts to my God and my King.
Excellent:
I see how David does not stay focused on his own emotions, the disturbance within, but teaches me to re-direct my thoughts to my God and my King.
Lizzy I love the message version you have here. WOW! That kind of changes the tone a bit.
Thank you all for your prayers — I did see many answers and will get a thank you e-mail out to tell of them.
3. Meditate on Psalm 5:1-2
A. What do you see?
I see a boldness to the cries of David -Give ear, consider my meditation, hearken to my cry, you will hear my voice,
I see a certainty-to you will I direct my prayer. There is no one else that I can go to.
“…and will look up”. No looking around.
B Now, begin your morning prayer with a request for help in praying. Be still before Him. What does He show you should do first?
To praise Him, to give Him the honor due Him. My God and my King. That He hears me. The scenery during the singing of the psalm created an illustration for me. That amidst the vastness of the earth and the oceans, God hears me. He is attuned to the cries of His children. He is a personal God.
4. Meditate on verses 4-7 and explain what David knows to be true of God. Find the gospel in this as well.
He hates wickedness and arrogance and lying
He is love.
He is holy.
The gospel:
v.7 But I by your great love John 3: 16 He loved us so that He sent Jesus to die for us so we can have access to the holy temple or come before Him.
5. Now, you pray some things you know to be true about God that will bolster your confidence in His help.
Lord God, you have given me the greatest gift of all-your Son, Jesus. I am certain that along with Him, you will gift me as well of that which pleases you. Hear my prayers, O Lord for healing from an allergic reaction. You are preparing the way for the 60 women who are coming to our fellowship luncheon. You love these women and you will do a mighty thing in their hearts. Grant us as the hostess church to be a welcoming team and may this be an opportunity to unite us in our love for you even if we are of different nominations. “At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow in heaven, on earth and under the earth, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of the Father.” Philippians 2:10-11
3. Meditate on Psalm 5:1-2
A. What do you see? – I see David crying out to the Lord to hear him as he prays to him. He is making the Lord aware that he is praying and needs his help.
B Now, begin your morning prayer with a request for help in praying. Be still before Him. What
does He show you should do first? – I keep hearing “Lord help my unbelief” all over, so I am going to ask Him that as I start to pray.
4. Meditate on verses 4-7 and explain what David knows to be true of God. Find the gospel in this as well. – David knows that God does not let the evil done by others go unaddressed. Those that do evil will not be part of God’s Kingdom. The Lord will not let them dwell among him.
5. Now, you pray some things you know to be true about God that will bolster your confidence in His help. – Lord why do I doubt, why do I wonder if you will be there. You have always been there for me in the past, you have always taken care of me and have provided for me. I know that the judgement will come from you and the evil done to me by others will be brought out in the open and the truth will be known. Help me Lord when my unbelief gets in the way. Nudge me and remind me Lord that you are right next to me. I know I am yours and you are mine and You are all I need. Thank you Lord for your unfaltering love. In Jesus name AMEN!
6. David says Psalm 5:5 disagrees with the belief that God hates the sin but not the sinner. I’ve pondered this — but I also realize that may not hold true for us, for our judgment is often faulty. Thoughts? – This seems harsh for the loving God that we know. Maybe these are the people that do not turn from their wicked ways and will not repent and don’t accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior.
Dee, did you mean that David might have compared his superiority with the evil ones?
7. On what basis does David make his request according to verses 7-8?
David enters the sanctuary because of the Lord’s “abundant, steadfast love.” But, he does mention he is fearful (in awe) of the Lord. The Lord’s righteousness makes his path straight.
8. Now, make your request in the same way.
Dearest Lord, I know you have a love that never ceases. Today, I desire to feel you near me more than ever. You are a good God, who sets me on the straight and narrow; Your way. I am in awe of You. Help me hear Your Voice in the back ground of all the busy-ness. Of all days, today I could use Your righteousness guiding me, giving me a sense of Your presence throughout the day.
9. 1 John tells us there is no fear in love. How do you reconcile that with verse 7? (Truthfully, I’m not sure of this answer and are eager to hear your thoughts.)
I’m not so sure that it is strictly fear, but more so a reverence of God. When I read a few versions, a couple of them use this word (Amp and NIV). Also doesn’t CS Lewis say he isn’t safe but he’s good?
I did Laura — good catch. Shouldn’t have been a not in the sentence. I’ll fix it.
2. What hard thing are you facing that you can trust God with, because He is “Your King and Your God”?
As I heard Chip Ingram say, my biggest enemy isn’t my circumstances, my marriage, my job…..my biggest enemy is sin. It is my sin that God promises me deliverance from. I am confronted with my sin every day, areas where I am making some progress, and other areas that I feel stuck. I often give in to discouragement. I will try to remember to turn to “my King and my God” when I’m facing temptation. The other hard thing I’m facing now is the declining health of my dad. He went to his doctor yesterday and had some tests done because the doctor thinks he may have congestive heart failure. I’ve been noticing that he gets short of breath with exertion and has a moist cough, but he always says it’s because he has so much sinus congestion. He’s 91 and he keeps saying he is ready to go. I understand, but I don’t want him to. I often feel guilty for not spending more time with him than once or twice a week.
Such a good Chip Ingram quote.
3. Meditate on Psalm 5:1-2
A. What do you see?
We studied this psalm before and I have written in my Bible, “the story of a man whose hand went up”. I think that’s from a sermon we listened to on this psalm. I hear David saying “Lord….I’m crying out to you, listen, hear me. You are my King and my God.” I am curious about David using the phrase “my King”. Someone posted that they see a boldness here….I’m thinking of Esther and how when she approached the king without being invited into his presence, she risked her life. David is petitioning his King to be heard, but I don’t see him being fearful in approaching God.
Susan–that was one of my favorite sermons, it was by Sinclair Ferguson and now that you mentioned it, I’m going to listen to it again today. It so impacted me, I have many times referred to it–“my hand is up” 🙂
Yes – I’m glad you remembered his name! It was such a great sermon!
Now I want to re-listen! 🙂
B. Now, begin your morning prayer with a request for help in praying. Be still before Him. What does He show you should do first?
To remember Who it is I am praying to. On days that I work if I don’t get up early enough, I pray ‘on the fly’ in the car as I’m driving, and what Davis said above about thoughtlessness in prayer and rambling – that can be me. Instead of just opening my mouth and starting to talk to Him (I pray out loud because when I try to pray silently, I find my mind will wander), this morning it was impressed on me to pause and think Who I am addressing – He is God, He is not a man that I should talk to Him like a man, He is totally ‘other’, He is holy. Although we are told to boldly approach the throne of grace with confidence, that does not mean with carelessness. I have approached Him carelessly and without deliberate thought. Then, gratitude that I am able to talk to Him, as David said that as he considered the moon, the stars – what is man that You are mindful of him? Who am I that God cares for me? Thank You, Lord.
4. Meditate on verses 4-7 and explain what David knows to be true of God. Find the gospel in this as well.
God takes no pleasure in evil. The wicked can not have a relationship with God. The arrogant person will not experience His presence. God hates all who do wrong. God destroys liars. God hates bloodthirsty and deceitful people. Yet, David knows that God is merciful.
I see the gospel when David says that it is by God’s great mercy that he will come into His house. We don’t earn entrance into heaven by our own merits (we have none) or by our own efforts. Even the above list: arrogance, lying, deceit, doing wrong – God is willing to forgive us for these things if we will repent and turn to Him. I have told lies, I have been deceitful and arrogant. Yet, I am not without hope because God laid those sins on His Son.
5. Now, you pray some things you know to be true about God that will bolster your confidence in His help.
Lord, You are right when You judge. You assure me that though my sins be as scarlet, they can be whiter than snow. Every morning Your graciousness, Your lovingkindness, Your compassions are new. You never run out of patience, forgiveness, or mercy. Lord, You are my Shepherd, I lack nothing.
6. David says Psalm 5:5 disagrees with the belief that God hates the sin but not the sinner. I’ve pondered this – but I also realize that may not hold true for us, for our judgment is often faulty. Thoughts?
I don’t know. When we looked at Psalm 3, David says that he wants God to “break the teeth of the wicked”. That doesn’t sound at all like our New Testament “God loves the sinner….” In a sermon I listened to by Chip Ingram, he said that often we hear David expressing his fierce loyalty to God in the psalms and then he says things like this about those who are not on God’s team – that’s loyalty. I know there is another passage in the OT where it says that God takes no delight when the wicked perish but He would rather they turn to Him. It is my belief that we can’t take individual verses out of their context and make a point with it, we have to look at the whole of Scripture. If God hated sinners, we would all be in deep trouble.
Good thoughts on God hating the sinner, Susan. Good to bring context.
Lizzy and Susan-what is the title of the sermon by Sinclair? I like him and want to listen, too.
Bing–here it is:”Where Do I turn Now?” Sinclair Ferguson Jan. 1, 2000
5. Dear Lord, I know You will never leave me or forsake me, and that whatever You ordain is good. I know You desire to be honored and glorified by all that happens this week. The best of all is that I know You, and You know me.
6. In verses 5-6, it seems clear that God so hates sin that His hatred extends to those who do it. There are verses in Isaiah and other Psalms that talk about sin being deeply ingrained in us. And that is why Jesus was cursed on the cross. As the bearer of our sins, He was under God’s hatred. And He took the hatred for us.
We, however, do not see as God sees or understand as He understands. So it stands to reason that it is better for us not to hate anyone, but only to hate the evil.
7. David makes his request on the basis of God’s mercy and righteousness. It doesn’t say it explicitly, but God had made a way for David to approach Him through sacrifice, just as He has made a way for us through Christ’s sacrifice.
8. It is only because of Your blood, Jesus, Your faithfulness and never failing kindness that I can come to You. So I ask You to prepare my heart for the changes You want to bring me through.
Mary, I agree with the point you make in #6. If God hates anything or anyone, He is completely justified in doing so. We can and should hate sin and evil, but when we hate people, our sinful nature can cause us to become twisted ourselves or to take vengeance, as you said, “So it stands to reason that it is better for us not to hate anyone, but only to hate the evil (because we do not see as God sees or understand as He understands).”
9. No fear in love….I believe that even though we are encouraged to come boldly into God’s presence, the sense of true awe and fear should never leave us. This is way different than the fear John talks of. That fear is ungrounded, vague, condemning, of the devil. The fear we should have is a reverence, where your soul has it’s mouth hanging open and you are thinking, wow! The God who made and sustains the entire universe is letting me come talk with Him!
10.A. What does David request? For God to remove the wicked from power and prevail over them.
B. Why does he ask this? So that the righteous may be free from the influence of evil, free to praise and rejoice and feel God’s blessings.
How does praise close this Psalm? Acknowledging God is a praise.
11. Today as I met with the college girl I mentor, it struck me how really seeing the truth of Scripture leads so naturally to worship. Lord, You are so awesome! Not like the awesome that describes everything, but the awesome that is because You are everything worthy of worship. You are truth, giving us not lies but real soul food. You are light, bringing us not shadows or darkness but brightness. You are living water, cleansing away sin and providing refreshment. Thank you for hearing my prayers for today, and that I can trust You for the days to follow. Only in You do I find the completeness every soul longs for! Bring, I pray, this sense of Your presence to those who are so burdened and struggling. Meet their needs as only You can. In Jesus’ name, may it be so.
Mary, I think it’s so wonderful that you are mentoring a college girl! Statistics show that about 68% of young people leave their faith when they go to college, so what you are doing is important.
Davis says we might expect David to contrast his superiority with the evildoers, but that is not what he does.
7. On what basis does David make his request according to verses 7-8?
David just got done saying that the wicked cannot dwell with God, the arrogant cannot be in His presence, and God hates all who do wrong, He destroys those who tell lies. I don’t know if this psalm was written before David committed his sin of adultery and murder. Even so, if David had an honest heart, he would understand that he had the capacity to act wickedly or to be proud, to do wrong and to lie. So he doesn’t say things like Lord, You know I have never done…..
He appeals to God’s mercy that he can enjoy God’s presence and one day, “enter into Your house”. He asks God to lead him and to make His ways straight before him – because of his enemies – David doesn’t want to be like them but he knows he needs God’s help for that.
This question reminded me of the story of the Pharisee and the ‘sinner’ who came to pray….the Pharisee said oh thank You God that I am not like that sinner over there – I do this and that. The other man simply asked God to have mercy on him, a sinner, and Jesus said it was he who went away justified. I can be so blind to my own sin at times and look down on someone who I label as a great sinner.
8. Now, make your request in the same way.
Lord, I am not any better than who I judge to be the worst, most sinful person I know. Had You left me to myself, I would be lost. You in Your mercy bent down to me, the God of the universe stooping down to rescue a sinful one like me. You shouldn’t have to stoop down, but I could never have made it up to You. You were willing to take on human flesh and humility. Please help me to understand and to live out of what You have already done for me, out of Your love for me, to be able to reflect You to those that do not have a relationship with You, and just to enjoy You.
9. 1 John tells us there is no fear in love. How do you reconcile that with verse 7?
1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love (or mature in love).” Psalm 5:7 says, “But I, by Your great mercy will come into Your house, in reverence will I bow down toward Your holy temple.”
I don’t get the sense that David is thinking about coming into God’s house, in reverence, with a sense of fear and dread, of “Oh, I’m really in for it.” He is ‘there’ because of the Lord’s great mercy extended toward him, yet He approaches Him with a deep sense of reverence and respect. In Proverbs it says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. But this fear is not a cowardly, apprehensive, what is God going to do to me – it is that kind of fear that John says about it, you have not understood the gospel, you are still afraid of being punished by God, so your love (or maybe your understanding of God’s love) is not mature; it is immature.
I’ll try to make a metaphor here. If, when I was growing up, I had to go to my dad to ask him to his help, or advice, or maybe if I was in trouble, and even though he’s my dad, I am so afraid to approach him, I think he’s going to yell and scream at me and punish me instead of be a loving father and because I’m his daughter he would do anything to help me. Then I have a warped view of my dad. I believe that we/I can have a warped view of God if we/I see Him as angry, vindictive, waiting for me to mess-up so He can strike at me in anger. It is so important that we have a right view of God. I think that’s what John is saying. If I “get” the perfect love (and justice) of God, then I won’t be immature and be afraid of Him as in He’s going to punish and hurt me.
Not to focus too much in what evildoers are doing, but to be confident God is taking care of them as He would and can. But to focus on the God of great love who will incline His ears to the cry of His people.
Dee encourages me to ask for help in praying for it is so easy to focus on self and give God a litany of requests and not wait to hear from Him with regards to my distress. I listened to Sinclair Ferguson’s sermon on Psalm 5 and he said the same thing. Sometimes I get so focused on what is distressing me, I forget who I am praying to! The one who can resolve any and all of my distresses.
“All the things in this psalm are relevant — to ask for help in praying, to come humbly and in confession, to list what we know about God, and then to pray with confidence.”
10. Read Psalm 5:9-12
A. What does David request concerning God’s enemies? (9-10)
Declare them guilty; let their intrigues be their downfall; banish them-this is the destiny of those who rebel against God. Again a quote from C.S. Lewis from Sinclair’s sermon: there are 2 kinds of people-the ones who say to God, “Thy will be done” and the ones who God say to “your will be done”.
B. Why? (11-12) And how do you see praise closing this Psalm?
David is certain of the path of the wicked so he was telling/reminding himself as He was saying these things to God about his enemies who are God’s enemies.
Their hearts as well as their tongues tell malice; they are rebelling against God.
These enemies are against God
Words can’t be trusted; lies, many sins; no awareness and a sense of guilt for what they do.
David closes by starting with the amazing 3 word “BUT” and proceeded to tell of the joy he and others who put their trust in God can have. He is also confident of God’s protection.
10. Read Psalm 5:9-12
A. What does David request concerning God’s enemies? (9-10)
David asks God to bear their guilt and fall….to cast them out; They will not be part of God’s kingdom.
B. Why? (11-12) And how do you see praise closing this Psalm?
The reason is that they have rebelled against God.
Those who have accepted God will be blessed. Those who God recognizes will be shielded by Him as well.
Davis says we might expect David to contrast he superiority with the evildoers, but that is not what he does.
7. On what basis does David make his request according to verses 7-8? – To me it looks like David is implying that he is no better then the evildoers, BUT with God’s help and knowing how much God loves him, he will stand above them in time.
8. Now, make your request in the same way. – Lord, I know I am a sinner and I am not living up to your image that I was created in, so help me Lord feel your presence in my life so much that the minute I start to fall, I change course to work on pleasing you and doing what you would have me do. I need your help Lord to rid myself of the junk inside of me. In Jesus Name I pray, AMEN.
9. 1 John tells us there is no fear in love. How do you reconcile that with verse 7? (Truthfully, I’m not sure of this answer and are eager to hear your thoughts.) – Oh Dee, if you don’t have an answer to this, I will probably be way off on this but here is my thought…As I read through 1 John I see verse upon verse that we need to be focused on the Lord and only him in order to be with him and have him with us. Could the fear that is being talked about in verse 7 of Psalm 5 be that without the Lord in our lives we will not know how to function in life without fear? I read verse 7 -8 combined in the Message and here is what it says and how I form my thought…”And here I am, your invited guest-it’s incredible! I enter your house; here I am, prostrate in your inner sanctum, Waiting for directions to get me safely through enemy lines.” We can’t function in this world without having the Lord present in our lives. How can anyone that does not have a relationship with Jesus be living a peaceful life. I would think your life would be like a snow globe when you shake it. Your thoughts and emotions would be flying all over the place.
That’s really interesting Julie as an explanation. It is true 1 John is filled with the thought if we keep ourselves from idols (last verse)
we will be able to walk in love, hold to the truth, and walk in the light — all things that help us not to fear. So I do like that very much!
10. Read Psalm 5:9-12
A. What does David request concerning God’s enemies? (9-10) – That God’s judgement bring the sinners to their knees. That they would see that their lies will get them no where in life
B. Why? (11-12) And how do you see praise closing this Psalm? – Even though God does not associate with things that are evil, if we come to him when he invites us in, he will welcome us into his family with open arms and love us as His own.
11. Now, apply this to your own life and pray.
Dear Lord, the enemy tries to pull me down. I, in turn pull back so I don’t succumb to his evil. I love You, Lord. I am trying hard to follow what you want for my life, and it is difficult. Thank You for being my shield. Although I typically don’t want to wish harm on people, I would definitely want them to go away. Let my family live in peace. In Your Holy name I pray. Amen.
Laura — a prayer I have often prayed is that God will either change a heart or remove that person (I’m not telling Him how to do it though!)
This is good and something I will try and remember to do. Not to tell God who should be in my life and when. I need to leave it up to him. Ahh!!
Yes, Julie — though there is nothing wrong with setting boundaries with a person who needs them! I pray with you.
12. Notes on Dale Ralph Davis.
1. Prepare to pray. Because David knows God intimately, it paves the way for him to be able to pray. The murmuring, groaning, sighing, is because his feelings and situation are too deep for words. It compares to Romans 8:26, where the Spirit intercedes for us. Jesus takes those and turns them into words for the Father. And God understands. David ‘cries’ out in urgency, yet he also prays day by day. Both are good. Davis mentions being of not being thoughtless in prayer and point to the phrase ‘set in order’. The NIV says ‘lay my requests’. The verb used here is the same as that used in Leviticus talking to the priests about preparing the sacrifice. Davis says prayer should be prepared ahead of time. You wouldn’t go to an earthly king without preparation. Is God able to see your worship? Feel it? Appreciate it?
I somewhat disagree with having to always prepare a prayer ahead of time. Maybe if you need to pray in front of a group and are nervous about it. But those prayers always sound a little canned to me. Yes, He is our King and our God, but He is also our Father, our Abba. You don’t read off what you want to say to your daddy or to a close friend. You might have in mind a topic you want to broach and the direction you want to come from, but the words are coming from your heart and mind at the time. I believe that when we ask the Lord to help us in our prayers, the Spirit directs both our hearts and our words.
2. Know your God.
3. Take your requests. This freedom comes because of God’s grace, not our own worth. It should be with reverence and a healthy fear. The phrase ‘in your righteousness’ can be what God requires of us to walk as Jesus did, or the righteousness that God exhibits in Himself. See Ps 143:1. David looks for guidance, help for the next step.
Makes me remember someone saying that guidance is g, God, u, You, and i, dance. Guidance is dancing with God.
4. Declare your confidence. There cannot be final joy while the enemy is still present. The wicked need to be judged and removed for us to enjoy ultimate goodness, Ps 96. David knows that ultimately he will be blessed. In the meantime, he prays.
I think of the enemy within, and that for me to find ultimate joy in God, that sin needs to be not only forgiven, but removed.
I would agree you don’t have to prepare a prayer ahead of time!
Hi everyone…I got back from Switzerland a few days ago & went straight back to work. It was a wonderful & blessed trip. My husband really re-connected with his brother, & the majesty of the Alps & God’s glory was all around! 🙂 Praise God!
What stood out to me was Lucy’s testimony & her heart for the Lord; how touched she was & how she radiated His love! So glad the week went well Dee & amazing how God removed obstacles.
Ps 5 is also a favorite of mine. When I come to the Lord I need to remember & acknowledge who He IS! Then I need to be expectant. I often ask the Holy Spirit to open my eyes to behold Him …in His Word & to be aware of His presence. Too often I go straight to my anxieties & requests, so first I need to get a right picture of “my King & my God”. David says that God is not pleased with wickedness or arrogance, lies & bloodthirsty men. But….by “Your great love” we can come into His house &” in reverence bow down.”I think vs 7 shows that because of His great love (that casts out our fear), we can come boldly but in reverence before Him.
Welcome back, Jenny. So glad you had a great experience. If I had a bucket list, the Swiss Alps would be on it!
So glad you had a great time and your husband and brother reconnected. I love when this happens. It has recently happened in my family as well.
Thank you, Dee for the message from Ralph Davis. I was encouraged by his message although like Mary B., I don’t necessarily agree I need to prepare a prayer all the time. Prepare my heart perhaps to hear from God.
1. Prepare to pray.
2. Know your God. This is the one that really resonated with me. Particularly after hearing Dr. R.C. Sproul saying”You can not love what you do not know.” Oh, that I may know Him more and more each day and not falter in doubt when I take my request (#3) to Him. That I would be able to come boldly and declare my confidence in Him. (#4)
To know Him is to love Him.
3. Take your request.
4. Declare your confidence.
Answer to prayer about a meeting with the parents and a student of mine: Not what I expected and am disappointed. Waiting on God to help me make sense of things. Meanwhile I am going to trust Him knowing He knows what is best for this student as well as for me. Psalm 5 is very appropriate at this time.
I will continue to pray Bing that the Lord will guide this student and his parents in the right direction.
Sorry about the disappointing meeting, Bing. I pray with you for wisdom!
Oh Bing this is hard! It’s difficult to explain what it feels like to be a teacher. It’s so emotional, mental, AND physical. You are right to keep God in the forefront because He will take care of you.
I had a really bad week with several parents last week. They felt their honors students had been wronged by me (an assignment they didn’t do well on that I chose to not put in the grade book but to revisit in class) and they were talking about me behind my back, calling the dean and director of science and telling lies about me and my class. I was being attacked on all sides by the enemy! It was terrible. I had a couple of emails from 2 parents that I addressed, and then found out about the rest. I ended up having to wait the entire weekend to resolve the issue (it was a theee day weekend for us) but decided to not spend it worrying, but rather rely on God to work in the background. I then had to make a hard phone call to one of the parents to straighten everything out on Tuesday. My director had my back and when I spoke to the dean on Thursday he had something interesting to say. I apologized for “causing trouble” and you know what he said? “No problem…shielding!” No one uses that word these days! I know it was God talking to me! It brought tears to my eyes. Wow.
Good morning y’all! I have been sitting in the background doing this study and reading all your posts, which are wonderful by the way. I have throughouly enjoyed Psalm 5! The title of Dale Davis’s book, The Way Of The Righteous In The Muck Of Life really stood out to me…the challenge is living a righteous life while being in the muck and in the exercise of asking God to teach me to pray and remaining silent before Him, changed my focus from me and my circumstances to focusing on God…Only God can pull us out of the muck, but we’ve got to get over ourselves enough to see His hand, grab it and hold on! This is the praise I saw in the closing…
God is my refuge and I will be glad.
God is my shelter and I will ever sing for joy.
God’s name is wonderful and because I love His name, I will be filled with joy.
God blesses the righteous.
God will surround me with favor as with a shield.
Sharon, I like this…
“Only God can pull us out of the muck, but we have to get over ourselves enough to see His hand, grab it and hold on!”
I loved that title too.
Thank you, Dee and others, for praying. My husband’s angiogram today went well, and no stent needed. Grateful.
Wonderful news about your husband Mary B! 🙂
I’m sorry I missed this Mary; glad he is well.
Thank you, Lord!
10. Read Psalm 5:9-12
A. What does David request concerning God’s enemies? (9-10)
He wants God to declare them guilty, to let their intrigues be their own downfall. He wants them removed because of their sin and rebellion.
B. Why? (11-12) And how do you see praise closing this psalm?
So that those who love God and take refuge in Him will be protected and have joy. I see praise in rejoicing in Him, in declaring that the Lord blesses the righteous and surrounds them with His favor like a shield.
11. Now, apply this to your own life and pray.
Lord, there is someone in my life whose words cannot be trusted and who speaks lies and deceit, who tries to stir-up dissension and attacks with words. Just this week, I prayed for my sister to be protected from this person as she was being attacked, for You to help her not to retaliate in kind, and You did. You were truly a Shield to her. I don’t like to pray for someone’s downfall, I would pray for You to convict this person of their sin instead, to change them from the inside out. But I need a lot of wisdom and discernment whenever I am around them, not to be taken in, and I pray for that.
Susan, this is a beautiful honest & heart felt prayer. Praise God for being a shield to your sister. Hard stuff!
I agree with your good prayer, Susan.
12. Share your notes and comments.
Davis’ translation was different from my NIV, and that seemed to change the meaning or interpretation of how I read the text. Verse 3 in the NIV says, “I LAY my requests before You”, while Davis read it as “I SET IN ORDER my requests”. He referred back to Leviticus how the priest carefully laid the wood for the sacrifice. I guess I can see it even in the word “lay” – to lay my requests before God is different than “dumping” them out. The emphasis was on thinking, on preparing, our prayers. Maybe this isn’t so different than George Mueller’s thought about using Scripture as a springboard for prayer, or when we studied Bonhoeffer and (I can’t remember exact words) and he said that we need help to pray, that the heart cannot pray by itself.
I’m still not sure how I feel about Davis saying that verses 5-6 prove that God hates not the sin, but hates the evildoer. I would think that Jesus might have articulated that as He surveyed, from the Cross, those who were putting Him to death, mocking Him, yet He said, “Father, forgive them….” There were people who told lies in order to get Him crucified, and they were bloodthirsty men. For those who came to faith as adults, like me, who did things that I’m sure God considered evil, why would He choose to save us if He hated us? Davis, as a believer, is like David in the psalm, basing his assurance on the mercy of God and separating himself from the enemies of God, but the Scripture says that before we were saved, we were His enemies, too.
Sharon I love this & I agree!
“This is the praise I saw in the closing…
God is my refuge and I will be glad.
God is my shelter and I will ever sing for joy.
God’s name is wonderful and because I love His name, I will be filled with joy.
God blesses the righteous.”
Oh Lord, help me to come before You with praise no matter what I am going through. Holy Spirit please guide my praying so that it is effective. Give us a fresh revelation of the Greatness of our God, so we can look to You with alert expectancy! Thank You for being our refuge & our shield & our joy.
God will surround me with favor as with a shield.