Psalms 5
Summary for Ps 5:1-12: Ps 5 a This morning prayer (5:3 b) expresses unwavering confidence in the Lord’s help and protection. The psalmist asks for and awaits God’s response (5:1-3 c). He describes the schemes of the wicked in detail but does not get lost in his circumstances. The psalmist also knows that the wicked cannot coexist with God (5:4-6 d, 9 e; see 1:5 f). He keeps returning to the Lord (5:7-8 g, 10 h; see 5:1-3 i), and then he prays for the godly community (5:10-12 j; see 3:8 k).Summary for Ps 5:1-2: 5:1-2 l The request hear me appears in several prayers as a call for God’s attention during a time of trouble (39:12 m; 84:8 n; 143:1 o), as does pay attention (17:1 p; 54:2 q; 130:2 r). The needy ask their God, “Are you listening?”
5:3 s The psalmist begins and ends each day with prayer, awaiting new expressions of God’s fidelity and goodness (143:8 t).
• wait expectantly: The psalmist does not demand God’s grace but places hope in it (see Mic 7:7 u; Hab 2:1 v).
5:5 w the proud: Mockers (see study note on 1:1), the wicked (73:3 x; 75:4 y), and the arrogant (10:2 z) use their mouths to twist truth and challenge the faith of the godly.
• The Lord allows only the godly into his presence (see 1:5 aa). His holiness and justice do not tolerate oppression or those who do evil.
• you hate: The Lord rejects proud sinners (see also 11:5 ab).
5:7 ac God promises his unfailing love—his covenant goodness and faithfulness—to his people (see 25:6 ad; 69:16 ae; Lam 3:32 af).
• your house: The godly long to come into God’s presence with reverence and awe (see Heb 12:28 ag).
5:8 ah God guides those who are obedient, submissive, and patient in waiting for him to lead, provide, and protect them (27:11 ai; 43:3 aj; 143:10 ak), not those who expect God simply to endorse their own decisions.
• Following the right path of wisdom leads to the Lord (27:11 al; 61:2 am; 139:24 an).
Summary for Ps 5:9-10: 5:9-10 ao The psalmist again describes the vile acts of the wicked, who cannot stand in God’s presence.
5:10 ap The psalmist prays for the justice and retribution that God promised against the wicked (1:6 aq)—those who have rebelled against the Lord.
• The wicked lay traps to kill (38:12 ar) or deceive (140:4-5 as).
5:11 at A blessing rests on all who take refuge in God (see 18:30 au).
• Joy and praise make good companions. The godly rejoice when they see evidence of God’s rescue. They sing joyful praises as a new song (see 33:3 av). When the Lord restores peace to this world, puts down evil, and rewards the righteous, they will have lasting joy (9:2-4 aw; 53:6 ax; 90:14-15 ay; 118:24 az).
• The children of God, who find refuge in him, love his name. To love his name is to love his very character.
5:12 ba The psalmist extends his concern beyond himself to all the godly.
• A shield, here an image of God’s protection, deflects spears and arrows from its bearer.
Psalms 6
Summary for Ps 6:1-10: Ps 6 bb The occasion for this lament might have been sickness or a mental or spiritual depression from which the psalmist sought healing.Summary for Ps 6:1-3: 6:1-3 bc The psalmist asks for God’s favor and restoration at a difficult time. 6:1 bd don’t rebuke me ... or discipline me: The psalmist does not explicitly connect God’s discipline with sin here (cp. 39:8-11 be), but it might be implied.
Summary for Ps 6:2-3: 6:2-3 bf In his longing for God’s response to his prayer, the psalmist grew physically weak (6:6 bg; see 77:3 bh; 119:81 bi; 142:1-3 bj; see also Ps 101 bk). Fasting might have played a part in his agony, but this is not mentioned.
Summary for Ps 6:4-5: 6:4-5 bl The experience was so painful that the psalmist might as well have been dead, or perhaps he feared for his life.
6:5 bm from the grave? Hebrew from Sheol? In the Old Testament, Sheol is the abode of the dead. It is not necessarily associated with punishment.
Summary for Ps 6:6-7: 6:6-7 bn The psalmist is exhausted to the depths of his being from the anguish of his spiritual distance from the Lord (22:1 bo; 31:9-10 bp; 102:5 bq).
• When eyes dim, the body is failing (see 13:3 br; 31:9 bs; 38:10 bt; Matt 6:22 bu).
Summary for Ps 6:8-10: 6:8-10 bv In a closing note of triumph, the psalmist reasserts his confidence in the Lord.
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