PSALM 5

Psalm 5:7-8 (ESV)
But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,
will enter your house.
I will bow down toward your holy temple
in the fear of you.
[8] Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness
because of my enemies;
make your way straight before me.

David once again comes to God in prayer with the contrast between the wicked and the righteous on his mind. Verse 8 seems to be the heart of this prayer, but the surrounding verses are important to understanding the heart behind this prayer of David.

David begins with a recognition of who God is. In verse 2 David acknowledges that this is “my King and my God.” He is the great sovereign and the true ruler of Israel and all of creation. David also focuses on God’s holiness in verse 4 “For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you.” He continues that theme in the verses that follow. But the great draw to David is found in verse 7. “But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you.” It is the abundant, steadfast love of God that draws him to the Lord’s house and worship. He also remembers God's sovereign protection calling him his “refuge,” “protection,” and “shield.”

With these in mind, David comes to the Lord with pleas on his heart. His desire is to be led in God’s righteousness and to have God’s way straight before him. David sees this in contrast to the wickedness of worldly ways. He sees the worldly as transgressors, under guilt, and leading to destruction.

How ought this lead our hearts in prayer? (1) That because of God’s abundant and steadfast love, we would desire to be in His house. That worship would be a priority to us, because we see and know God’s great love for us. (2) That we would desire to walk according to HIS way and by His standard of righteousness. That we would not redefine righteousness according to our standards. That we would love His standards because they are His. (3) That we would see worldly ways as the destructive and dishonoring ways that they are. That we would not desire them, but would stand firmly against them.