5:title music director See note on 4:title.

A psalm of David See note on 3:title.

5:1 Hear my words The psalmist cries out to Yahweh for attention.

sighing The Hebrew term used here, hagig, occurs only here and in 39:3 in the ot. It signifies a desperate sigh or groaning, indicating the psalmist’s great turmoil.

5:2 my king and my God Recognizing God’s sovereignty and revealing the psalmist’s intimacy with God.

5:3 and I will watch The psalmist expectantly waits for Yahweh’s response (Mic 7:7; Hab 2:1).

5:4 not a God who desires wickedness The psalmist appeals to God’s justice and describes God’s negative attitude toward evil in several different ways. By not responding to the psalmist’s cries, God would validate his enemies.

5:7 I will enter your house In contrast to his enemies, the psalmist pledges to enter into God’s presence and worship reverently in the temple. The psalmist bases this confidence on God’s faithful, covenantal love (Exod 34:6).

Chesed Word Study

in awe of you Fearing God in the ot describes the proper human response to God’s character and holiness—showing him reverence. It includes obedience and trust (Deut 6:2; Psa 40:3).

Fearing God in the Old Testament

5:8 O Yahweh, lead me The psalmist asks God to lead him. To be led by Yahweh is to enjoy His protection and safety (23:3; Isa 42:16). The path of righteousness is ultimately a path of safety and blessing (Psa 1:6; Prov 12:28).

5:9 there is not anything reliable in his mouth The psalmist emphasizes his enemies’ wickedness. Since God ultimately destroys those who unrepentantly live their lives as liars (v. 6), God should respond to the psalmist and deliver him from these enemies.

5:10 they have rebelled against you As he emphasizes the guilt of his enemies, the psalmist focuses on their actions toward God. He does not stress how his enemies have oppressed him (22:16–18), but how they have rebelled against God.

5:11 let all who take shelter in you rejoice God’s protection results in joy. The psalmist’s great turmoil (vv. 1–2) will turn to joy and singing when he takes refuge in God’s protection.

5:12 you bless the righteous The psalmist closes with a statement upholding Yahweh’s protection and blessing on the righteous, which contrast sharply with God’s treatment of the psalmist’s wicked enemies (vv. 4–6).