Psalms 5:1

PSALM 5

PRAYER FOR PROTECTION FROM THE WICKED

(FOR THE CHIEF MUSICIAN; WITH THE NEHILOTH. A PSALM OF DAVID)

This psalm is also called a "Morning Prayer" because of the statement in Psalms 5:3. Any connection the psalm has with the life of David is unknown, because the prayer is appropriate for any individual at any time, especially when one is threatened by enemies.

"With the Nehiloth." This word has no certain meaning at all for us. It evidently referred to something connected with the music, but just what is meant is unknown. Delitzsch believed that it signified "inheritances," the same being a reference to some traditional tune familiar to the people of that generation.[1] Others think it refers to some kind of a wind instrument, such as a flute.[2]

Psalms 5:1-3

"Give ear to my words, O Jehovah,

Consider my meditation.

Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King and my God.

For unto thee do I pray.

O Jehovah, in the morning shalt thou hear my voice;

In the morning will I order my prayer unto thee, and will keep watch."

A great wealth of information about prayer appears in these brief lines.

(1) There must be "words" in which prayers are offered. It is not sufficient merely to sit silently as if in some inner communion with God, such as was characteristic of the Quakers. Prayers are presented in words and sentences.

(2) Prayer is personal. The prayers of my preacher, or of my friends or parents, cannot suffice. Note the words: `my words,' `my meditation,' `my cry,' `my voice,' `my prayer,' `my King,' and `my God.' Prayer is the breathing of spiritual life; and where there is no prayer that life is either threatened or deceased altogether.

(3) The words at the end of Psalms 5:3, "will keep watch," indicate that true prayer involves the expectancy of God's answer, and of the worshipper's earnestly watching to receive it. As Jesus himself stated it, "Whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive it." (Matthew 21:22).

"I will order my prayer before thee." Some have labored to find in this a reference to the way ancient Jewish priests prepared the fire and placed the wood and the pieces of the sacrifice upon the altar; but to us, it appears that the simple meaning is that prayer is not a sporadic or occasional thing at all.

(4) It is regular, continual, persistent and unceasing. The text here mentions prayer "in the morning." What morning? Every morning of course. It is proper to begin every day with the worship of God and earnest prayers for his help and guidance. Our Lord had a certain place in which to pray; and it is scarcely possible to believe that he did not also have a certain time in which to engage in prayer.