Psalm 5:1-12 NIV

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 5:7

In the multitude of thy mercy - David considered it an inexpressible privilege to be permitted to attend public worship; and he knew that it was only through the multitude of God's mercy that he, or any man else, could enjoy such a privilege. He knew farther that, from the multitude of this mercy, he might receive innumerable blessings in his house. In this spirit, and with this dependence, he went to the house of the Lord. He who takes David's views of this subject will never, willingly, be... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 5:8

Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness - When entered into the house, and prostrated before the temple, he knew that, unless God continued to lead and direct, he was not likely to profit even by such great advantages. We need God not only to bring us to his house, but to keep our feet while we are there. Because of mine enemies - His conduct was marked; his enemies looked upon and watched him with an evil eye. They would have been glad of his halting, that they might have brought a... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 5:9

No faithfulness in their mouth - They make professions of friendship; but all is hollow and deceitful: "They flatter with their tongue." Very wickedness - Their heart is full of all kinds of depravity. Their throat is an open sepulcher - It is continually gaping for the dead; and sends forth effluvia destructive to the living. I fear that this is too true a picture of the whole human race, totally corrupt within, and abominable without. The heart is the center and spring of this... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 5:10

Destroy thou them, O God - All these apparently imprecatory declarations should be translated in the future tense, to which they belong; and which shows them to be prophetic. Thou Wilt destroy them; thou Wilt cast them out, etc. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 5:11

Let all those that put their trust in thee rejoice - Such expressions as these should be translated in the same way, declaratively and prophetically: "All those who put their trust in thee Shall rejoice, - Shall ever shout for joy." read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 5:12

For thou, Lord, wilt bless the righteous - A righteous soul is a peculiar object of God's affectionate regards; and therefore will be a subject of continual blessing. With favor - Literally, Like a shield, thy favor will crown him. God loves such; and this love is their defense. In all places, times and circumstances, it will preserve them. "Keep yourselves," says the apostle, "in the love of God." He who abides in this love need not fear the face of any adversary. Thus ended the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 5:1

Verse 1 I presume not positively to determine whether David, in this psalm, bewails the wrongs which he suffered from his enemies at some particular time, or whether he complains generally of the various persecutions with which, for a long time, he was harassed under Saul. Some of the Jewish commentators apply the psalm even to Absalom; because, by the bloody and deceitful man, they think Doeg and Ahithophel are pointed out. To me, however, it appears more probable, that when David, after the... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 5:3

Verse 3 The first sentence may also be read in the future tense of the indicative mood, Thou shalt hear my prayer. But, in my opinion, the verb is rather in the optative mood, as I have translated it. Having besought God to grant his requests, he now entreats him to make haste. Some think he alludes to the morning prayers which were wont to be joined with the daily sacrifices in the temple, according to the appointment of the law. Although I do not disapprove of this opinion, yet I have no... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 5:4

Verse 4 Here David makes the malice and wickedness of his enemies an argument to enforce his prayer for the divine favor towards him. The language is indeed abrupt, as the saints in prayer will often stammer; but this stammering is more acceptable to God than all the figures of rhetoric, be they ever so fine and glittering. Besides, the great object which David has in view, is to show, that since the cruelty and treachery of his enemies had reached their utmost height, it was impossible but... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 5:7

Verse 7 Some think that the word and, by which this sentence is joined to the preceding, is put for but; as if David, comparing himself with the ungodly, declared and assured himself that God would be merciful to him, while he abhorred and would destroy the wicked. But I leave it to my readers to judge whether it does not suit the passage better to consider this verse as an inference from what goes before, which might be put in this form: ”O Lord, thou canst not bear with the wicked; when,... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 5:7

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 5:8

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 5:9

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 5:10

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 5:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 5:12

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 5:1

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 5:3

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 5:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 5:7

Group of Brands