Psalms 5:8-12 | DiscipleDeck

Bible Commentary

Psalms 5:8-12

The Pulpit Commentary · Joseph S. Exell and contributors · Public Domain

The righteousness of God.

This second strophe of the psalm is very much like the first in substance, the matter running parallel with Psalms 5:3-7. The fundamental thought on which all is based is that of the righteousness of God. The whole prayer is framed on that conception.

I. A PRAYER FOR RIGHTEOUS DELIVERANCE AND GUIDANCE.

1. For righteous guidance. "Lead me in thy righteousness; make thy way [the right way] plain to me."

2. For righteous deliverance. The unrighteous lay in wait for him—threatened his safety. There was "no faithfulness in their mouth;" they used slander and treachery when they dared not use open violence. Their inward part, their souls. were full of evil designs and purposes. "Their throat is like an open sepulchre," which yawns for his destruction. Their speech, fair and smooth, to flatter and put him off his guard and lure him on. With them, mouth, heart, throat, and tongue are all instruments of evil; and their malice was such that he needed the care and guidance of the righteous power above.

II. A PRAYER FOR RIGHTEOUS RETRIBUTION. (Psalms 5:10.) Punish. "The word properly signifies such a decision and judgment as would show and manifest what sort of neighbours they are when their ungodly dispositions are disclosed and every one is made known." Show them guilty. Let them fall through or because of their own counsels. Their counsels are of such an evil nature that they must in the end ensure their destruction. By means of their transgressions thrust them away—the same thought in substance as the last. But the great argument for retribution is—they have rebelled against thee. The enemies of the psalmist are the enemies of God. God's cause and that of his people are the same. Whoso toucheth you, toucheth the apple of mine eye; "Saul, Saul, why porsecutest thou me?"

III. PRAYER FOR THE REALIZATION OF A RIGHTEOUS JOY. ("Psalms 5:11, Psalms 5:12.) This joy proceeds:

1. From the sense of refuge and defence we have in God.

2. From the love we have to God, for his goodness and righteousness.

3. From the knowledge we have that God does assuredly bless the righteous.—S.

Psalms 4

Psalms

Psalms 6

Psalms 5 - psalms-5 - worlddic.com

The Daily Devotional

One devotional. Every morning.

The full reading, the passage behind it, and where to go deeper — in your inbox before the day starts. No ads, ever.

We'll send one email to confirm it's really you. Unsubscribe in one tap, any time.

Continue tomorrow

Turn Bible study into a daily habit

Read today's devotional, save your progress, and receive a gentle daily reminder.

Read today's devotional Save my progress

More for Psalms 5:8-12

Continue with other commentaries and DiscipleDeck content connected to this verse, chapter, or topic.

Other commentaries

Psalms 5 — OverviewPsalms 5 · Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole BibleThe psalm is a prayer, a solemn address to God, at a time when the psalmist was brought into distress by the malice of his enemies. Many such times passed over David, nay, there was scarcely any time of his…Psalms 5 — OverviewPsalms 5 · Treasury of Scripture KnowledgePsalms 5:1, David prays, and professes his study in prayer; Psalms 5:4, God favours not the wicked; Psalms 5:7, David, professing his faith, prays to God to guide him; Psalms 5:10, to destroy his enemies; Psalms 5:11,…Psalms 5 — OverviewPsalms 5 · John Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleTo the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, a Psalm of David. This psalm, being written by David under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, is inscribed and sent to him who had the direction and management of the musical…Psalms 5:1-12Psalms 5:1-12 · The Pulpit CommentaryEXPOSITION THIS psalm is assigned by some to the time of Manasseh, but contains nothing that is really opposed to the superscription—"A Psalm of David"—since, before the temple was built, the tabernacle was called "the…Psalms 5:1-12Psalms 5:1-12 · The Pulpit CommentaryA morning prayer: for sanctuary service: in evil times. This psalm seems to have been written for, or handed to the leader of a special choir, that he might adapt music for its use in sanctuary worship; not necessarily…Psalms 5:1-12Psalms 5:1-12 · The Pulpit CommentaryA morning prayer. Every new day the priests began anew the service of God in the temple. The altar was set in order, the lamb was made ready, and as soon as the sign of day was given the morning sacrifice was offered…