PSALM V _David continues instant in prayer_, 1, 2; _makes early application to God_, 3; _and shows the hatred which God bears to the workers of_ _iniquity_, 4-6. _His determination to worship God, and to implore direction and_ _support_, 7, 8. _He points out the wickedness of his enemies_, 9,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 5:2. _HEARKEN UNTO THE VOICE OF MY CRY_] We may easily find the process through which David's mind was now passing: 1. We have seen from the preceding Psalm that he lay down in a very happy frame of mind, and that he had enjoyed profound repose. 2. As soon as he awakes in the morning,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 5:3. _MY VOICE SHALT THOU HEAR IN THE MORNING_] We find from this that he had not prayed in vain. He had received a blessed answer; God had _lifted upon him the light of his countenance_; and he therefore determines to be an early applicant at the throne of grace: "My voice shalt thou h... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 5:4. _NEITHER SHALL EVIL DWELL WITH THEE._] As thou art holy, so thou hast pleasure only in holiness; and as to _evil men_, they shall never enter into thy glory; לא יגרך רע _lo yegurecha ra_, "the evil man shall not even _sojourn_ with thee.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 5:5. _THE FOOLISH SHALL NOT STAND_] He is a fool and a madman who is running himself out of breath for no prize, who is fighting against the Almighty; this every wicked man does; therefore is every _wicked_ man a _fool_ and a _madman_. _THOU HATEST ALL WORKERS OF INIQUITY_] Some sin _n... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 5:6. _THAT SPEAK LEASING_] Falsity, from the Anglo-Saxon [A.S.] _leasunge, a lie, falsity, deceit_; from [A.S.] _leas, lie_, which is from the verb [A.S.] _leasian_, to _lie_. See on Psalms 4:2. _THE LORD WILL ABHOR THE BLOODY AND DECEITFUL MAN._] איש דמים _ish_ _damim_, the _man of bl... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 5:7. _IN THE MULTITUDE OF THY MERCY_] David considered it an inexpressible privilege to be permitted to attend _public worship_; and he knew that it was only through the _multitude of God's mercy_ that he, or any man else, could enjoy such a privilege. He knew farther that, from the _mu... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 5:8. _LEAD ME, O LORD, IN THY RIGHTEOUSNESS_] When entered into the house, and prostrated before the _temple_, he knew that, unless God continued to _lead_ and direct, he was not likely to profit even by such great advantages. We need God not only to bring us to his house, but to keep o... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 5:9. _NO FAITHFULNESS IN THEIR MOUTH_] They make professions of friendship; but all is hollow and deceitful: "They flatter with their tongue." _VERY WICKEDNESS_] Their _heart_ is full of all kinds of depravity. _THEIR THROAT_ IS _AN OPEN SEPULCHRE_] It is continually gaping for the de... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 5:10. _DESTROY THOU THEM, O GOD_] All these apparently _imprecatory_ declarations should be translated in the _future_ _tense_, to which they belong; and which shows them to be _prophetic_. Thou WILT destroy them; thou WILT cast them out, c.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 5:11. _LET ALL THOSE THAT PUT THEIR TRUST IN THEE REJOICE_] Such expressions as these should be translated in the same way, _declaratively_ and _prophetically_: "All those who put their trust in thee SHALL rejoice,-SHALL ever shout for joy.... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Psalms 5:12. _FOR THOU, LORD, WILT BLESS THE RIGHTEOUS_] A righteous soul is a peculiar object of God's affectionate regards; and therefore will be a subject of continual blessing. _WITH FAVOUR_] Literally, _Like a shield, thy favour will crown_ _him_. God loves such; and this love is their d... [ Continue Reading ]