Psalms 5 — with JFB Commentary
The King James text with the Jamieson-Fausset-Brown commentary (1871, public domain) directly beneath the verses it explains. Verses without a JFB note stand alone.
1Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.
PSALM 5
Psa 5:1-12. Upon Nehiloth--flutes or wind instruments. The writer begs to be heard, on the ground of God's regard for His covenant-people and true worshippers as contrasted with His holy hatred to the wicked. He prays for divine guidance, on account of his watchful, malignant, and deceitful enemies; and for their destruction as being also God's enemies. At the same time he expresses his confidence that God will extend aid to His people.
1. meditation--moanings of that half-uttered form to which deep feeling gives rise--groanings, as in Ro 8:26, 27.
2Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.
2. Hearken--incline the ear (Psa 10:17; compare Psa 61:2)--give close attention.
my cry--that is, for help (Psa 61:2; Jr 8:19).
my King--thus by covenant relation interested in my cause.
3My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
3. direct--literally, "set in order," as the showbread was placed or set in order (Ex 40:23).
4For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
4. For, &c.--God only regards sincere worshippers.
evil--or, "the evil man."
dwell--lodge, remain under protection.
5The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.
5. foolish--vainglorious and insolent.
iniquity--especially such as denotes a negation, or defect, that is, of moral principle.
6Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.
6. leasing--a lie.
the bloody ... man--literally, "man of blood"--murderer.
7But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.
7. But--as in Psa 2:6, literally, "and."
house--(1Ch 9:23), the tabernacle.
temple--literally, "palace," applied to God's residence, the Holy of Holies (1Sa 3:3; 2Sa 22:7); the inner part of the tabernacle.
toward--not in; the high priest alone was allowed to enter.
8Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.
8. enemies--literally, "watchers" (Psa 27:11), hence special need of guidance.
in thy righteousness--an attribute implying faithfulness in promises as well as threatenings.
make thy way straight--that is, make the way of providence plain.
9For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue.
9. The wicked are not reliable because by nature they are full of wickedness, or literally, "wickednesses," of every kind (Ro 8:7).
sepulchre--a dwelling-place of corruption, emitting moral putridness.
flatter--or, "make smooth."
their tongue--speaks deceitfully.
10Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled against thee.
10. Destroy--or, "condemn" them to destruction as guilty.
11But let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because thou defendest them: let them also that love thy name be joyful in thee.
11. defendest--(compare Margin).
love thy name--Thy manifested perfections (Psa 9:10).
12For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.
12. with favour--or, "acceptance," alluding to the favor shown to an acceptable offering and worshipper (Le 7:18; 19:7).
shield--(compare Psa 3:3).