For those who may wish to ‘study’ this chapter, the following simple resources are provided for you. Each passage has a four-Part approach to help you take in and think further about what you have read.

Passage: Psalm 5 – Help!

1 Listen to my words, Lord,
    consider my lament.
2 Hear my cry for help,
    my King and my God,
    for to you I pray.

3 In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
    in the morning I lay my requests before you
    and wait expectantly.
4 For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness;
    with you, evil people are not welcome.
5 The arrogant cannot stand
    in your presence.
You hate all who do wrong;
6     you destroy those who tell lies.
The bloodthirsty and deceitful
    you, Lord, detest.
7 But I, by your great love,
    can come into your house;
in reverence I bow down
    towards your holy temple.

8 Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness
    because of my enemies –
    make your way straight before me.
9 Not a word from their mouth can be trusted;
    their heart is filled with malice.
Their throat is an open grave;
    with their tongues they tell lies.
10 Declare them guilty, O God!
    Let their intrigues be their downfall.
Banish them for their many sins,
    for they have rebelled against you.
11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
    let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
    that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

12 Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;
    you surround them with your favour as with a shield.

A. Find Out:    

1. What is David doing? v.1-3
2. What does he then declare? v.4-6
3. What is his own position? v.7
4. What does he ask of the Lord? v.8
5. How does he describe his enemies? 9,10
6. How does he describe the righteous? v.11,12

B. Think:

1. How are the wicked described?
2. How are the righteous compared?
3. What is David’s basic request here?

C. Comment:

       Again David feels under a burden. He sighs, he cries, he prays, he calls on God.

      Observe first, the CAUSE of David’s concern. There are people round about him who he sees as enemies (v.8) who speak lies (v.9) and plot intrigues (v.10).

     Note second. his METHOD OF PRAYER: he prays i) in the morning ii) simply laying his requests before God and iii) expecting God to answer. Here there is a picture of simple trusting faith.

    Third, note his DECLARING THE TRUTH. In coming to God, he reaffirms what he knows the truth to be: God is against evil doers. In this way he strengthens his faith, reassuring himself that God will be for him and against his enemies, so thus he can pray strongly about the matter.

     Fourth, note the LIFE OF THE RIGHTEOUS, those who turn to God. Theirs is a life of gladness and joy and rejoicing, in the sure knowledge that God is their refuge, their protection, their shield, and even more, the provider of every blessing.

     Yet again, as in previous psalms, David starts with petition and comes to a place of security in the truth as he prays. Such is the effect, so often, as we pray, and the Lord leads us into truth.

D. Application?

1. The Lord is for the righteous and against evil doers. He loves all men and desires them to be saved, but still acts against evil.
2. The truth will make you free. Praise Him for that.