Psa 5:1-3 | Clarke | e4.org | 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, and the destruction they may expect , 10; and then shows the happiness of those who trust in the Lord , 11, 12. NOTES ON PSALM V This Psalm is inscribed to the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm of David . As neginoth may signify all kinds of instruments struck with a plectrum , stringed instruments, those like the drum, cymbals, &c.; so nechiloth , from chal , to be hollow , to bore through , may signify any kind of wind instruments, such as the horn, trumpet, flute, &c. See on the title to the preceding Psalm. The Septuagint have, ειςτοτελοςυπερτηςκληρονομουσης, "In favour of her who obtains the inheritance." The Vulgate and Arabic have a similar reading. The word nechiloth they have derived from nachal , to inherit . This may either refer to the Israelites who obtained the inheritance of the promised land, or to the Church of Christ which obtains through him, by faith and prayer, the inheritance among the saints in light. This Psalm is, especially, for the whole Church of God. Verse 1. Give ear to my words ] This is properly a morning hymn , as the preceding was an evening hymn . We have seen from the conclusion of the last Psalm that David was very happy, and lay down and slept in the peace and love of his God. When he opens his eyes on the following morning, he not only remembers but feels the happiness of which he spoke; and with his first recollections he meditates on the goodness and mercy of God, and the glorious state of salvation into which he had been brought. He calls on God to give ear to his words ; probably words of God's promises which he had been pleading.

‏ Psalms 5:1-3

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,

and the destruction they may expect, 10;

and then shows the happiness of those who trust in the Lord,

11, 12.

NOTES ON PSALM V

This Psalm is inscribed to the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm of David. As neginoth may signify all kinds of instruments struck with a plectrum, stringed instruments, those like the drum, cymbals, &c.; so nechiloth, from chal, to be hollow, to bore through, may signify any kind of wind instruments, such as the horn, trumpet, flute, &c. See on the title to the preceding Psalm. The Septuagint have, ειςτοτελοςυπερτηςκληρονομουσης, "In favour of her who obtains the inheritance." The Vulgate and Arabic have a similar reading. The word nechiloth they have derived from nachal, to inherit. This may either refer to the Israelites who obtained the inheritance of the promised land, or to the Church of Christ which obtains through him, by faith and prayer, the inheritance among the saints in light. This Psalm is, especially, for the whole Church of God.

Verse 1. Give ear to my words] This is properly a morning hymn, as the preceding was an evening hymn. We have seen from the conclusion of the last Psalm that David was very happy, and lay down and slept in the peace and love of his God. When he opens his eyes on the following morning, he not only remembers but feels the happiness of which he spoke; and with his first recollections he meditates on the goodness and mercy of God, and the glorious state of salvation into which he had been brought. He calls on God to give ear to his words; probably words of God's promises which he had been pleading.

Verse 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, his heart, having a right direction, resumes its work. 3. He meditates on God's goodness; and on his own happy state, though pursued by enemies, and only safe as long as God preserved him by an almighty hand and especial providence. 4. This shows him the need he has of the continual protection of the Most High; and therefore he begins to form his meditation and the desires of his heart into words, to which he entreats the Lord to give ear. 5. As he was accustomed to have answers to his prayers, he feels the necessity of being importunate! and therefore lifts up his voice. 6. Seeing the workers of iniquity, liars, and blood-thirsty men strong to accomplish their own purposes in the destruction of the godly, he becomes greatly in earnest, and cries unto the Lord: "Hearken unto the voice of my cry." 7. He knows that, in order to have a right answer, he must have a proper disposition of mind. He feels his subjection to the supreme authority of the Most High, and is ready to do his will and obey his laws; therefore he prays to God as his King: "Hearken, my King and my God." I have not only taken thee for my GOD, to save, defend, and make me happy; but I have taken thee for my KING, to govern, direct, and rule over me. 8. Knowing the necessity and success of prayer, he purposes to continue in the spirit and practice of it: "Unto thee will I pray." R. S. Jarchi gives this a pretty and pious turn: "When I have power to pray, and to ask for the things I need, then, O Lord, give ear to my words; but when I have no power to plead with thee, and fear seizes on my heart, then, O Lord, consider my meditation!"

Verse 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 hear in the morning." He finds it good to begin the day with God; to let Divine things occupy the first place in his waking thoughts; as that which first occupies the mind on awaking is most likely to keep possession of the heart all the day through.

In the morning will I direct my prayer] Here seems to be a metaphor taken from an archer. He sees his mark; puts his arrow in his bow; directs his shaft to the mark, i.e., takes his aim; lets fly, and then looks up, to see if he have hit his mark. Prayers that have a right aim, will have a prompt answer; and he who sends up his petitions to God through Christ, from a warm, affectionate heart, may confidently look up for an answer, for it will come. If an immediate answer be not given, let not the upright heart suppose that the prayer is not heard. It has found its way to the throne; and there it is registered.