King James Version
Psalms 5
12 verses with commentary
Lead Me in Your Righteousness
To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm of David. Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.</strong> This opening verse establishes the psalm as prayer, specifically as morning prayer (verse 3 clarifies timing). David addresses Yahweh directly with two requests that use synonymous parallelism—"give ear" and "consider" both request divine attention, while "my words" and "my meditation" both describe David's prayer.<br><br>"Give...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(1) **Meditation.**—From a root cognate with the word translated meditate in Psalm 1:2, with primary sense of *mutter *or *murmur. *Here “whispered prayer,” in contrast to “words” in first clause, and to “voice of my cry” in the next. It echoes clause 1: “while unto thee will I pray” corresponds to “meditation.”
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
10. Alluding to Job 22:26.
**always call--**He may do so in times of prosperity in order to be thought religious. But he will not, as I do, call on God in calamities verging on death. Therefore I cannot be a "hypocrite" (Job 19:25; 20:5; Psa 62:8).
Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
Chapter Outline
God will certainly hear prayer: David gives to God the glory, and takes to himself the comfort.(1-6)
He prayed for himself, that God would guide him, and for all the Lord's people, that God would give them joy, and keep them safe.(7-12)
**Verses 1-6**
God is a prayer-hearing God. Such he has always been, and he is still as ready to hear prayer as ever. T...
Read full commentary →Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.
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KJV Study Commentary
David's prayer acknowledges God's dual role as King and personal God. 'My King' (Hebrew 'malki') emphasizes God's sovereign authority and ruling power, while 'my God' (Hebrew 'Elohai') speaks to intimate covenant relationship. This combination reflects the full biblical understanding of God - transcendent yet immanent, sovereign yet personal. The vow 'unto thee will I pray' demonstrates exclusive ...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
11-23. These words are contrary to Job's previous sentiments (see on Job 21:22-33; Job 24:22-25). Job 21:22-33; 24:22-25). They therefore seem to be Job's statement, not so much of his own sentiments, as of what Zophar would have said had he spoken when his turn came (end of the twenty-sixth chapter). So Job stated the friends' opinion (Job 21:17-21; 24:18-21). The objection is, why, if so, does n...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
Chapter Outline
God will certainly hear prayer: David gives to God the glory, and takes to himself the comfort.(1-6)
He prayed for himself, that God would guide him, and for all the Lord's people, that God would give them joy, and keep them safe.(7-12)
**Verses 1-6**
God is a prayer-hearing God. Such he has always been, and he is still as ready to hear prayer as ever. T...
Read full commentary →My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.</strong> This verse specifies the timing and posture of David's prayer, emphasizing both the morning hour and David's expectant attitude. The emphatic repetition "in the morning... in the morning" stresses the importance of this practice—beginning the day with prayer isn't i...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(3) The daily morning sacrifice sees the Psalmist in the Temple. The word “direct,” or, better, *prepare, *is the same employed in Leviticus 1:8; Leviticus 1:12; Leviticus 6:12, of the priest laying out the wood for the sacrifice, or the parts of the offering itself, and suggest that the author may himself have been a priest. The word “offering” should be supplied, instead of “prayer.” Henry Vaugh...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
11-23. These words are contrary to Job's previous sentiments (see on Job 21:22-33; Job 24:22-25). Job 21:22-33; 24:22-25). They therefore seem to be Job's statement, not so much of his own sentiments, as of what Zophar would have said had he spoken when his turn came (end of the twenty-sixth chapter). So Job stated the friends' opinion (Job 21:17-21; 24:18-21). The objection is, why, if so, does n...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
Chapter Outline
God will certainly hear prayer: David gives to God the glory, and takes to himself the comfort.(1-6)
He prayed for himself, that God would guide him, and for all the Lord's people, that God would give them joy, and keep them safe.(7-12)
**Verses 1-6**
God is a prayer-hearing God. Such he has always been, and he is still as ready to hear prayer as ever. T...
Read full commentary →For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.
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KJV Study Commentary
This verse declares God's absolute holiness and incompatibility with evil. The Hebrew 'chaphets' (pleasure) indicates not mere tolerance but active delight - God takes no pleasure in wickedness. 'Evil shall not dwell with thee' uses temple imagery - nothing impure can abide in God's holy presence. This foundational truth establishes the doctrine of God's holiness and the impossibility of fellowshi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(4) **Neither shall evil.**—Better, *the wicked man is not thy guest. *For the same thought, see Psalms 15; and for the opposite, of God coming to dwell with the godly, Isaiah 57:15.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
11-23. These words are contrary to Job's previous sentiments (see on Job 21:22-33; Job 24:22-25). Job 21:22-33; 24:22-25). They therefore seem to be Job's statement, not so much of his own sentiments, as of what Zophar would have said had he spoken when his turn came (end of the twenty-sixth chapter). So Job stated the friends' opinion (Job 21:17-21; 24:18-21). The objection is, why, if so, does n...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
Chapter Outline
God will certainly hear prayer: David gives to God the glory, and takes to himself the comfort.(1-6)
He prayed for himself, that God would guide him, and for all the Lord's people, that God would give them joy, and keep them safe.(7-12)
**Verses 1-6**
God is a prayer-hearing God. Such he has always been, and he is still as ready to hear prayer as ever. T...
Read full commentary →The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity. in: Heb. before thine eyes
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KJV Study Commentary
This verse intensifies the previous statement - not only does God not delight in wickedness, He actively hates 'workers of iniquity.' The Hebrew 'sane' (hate) is strong covenant language indicating judicial opposition. 'The foolish' (Hebrew 'holalim' - those who boast or act arrogantly) cannot stand in God's sight. This is not arbitrary divine prejudice but the necessary response of perfect holine...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(5) **Foolish.**—Literally, *shiners*—*i.e., *displayers of self; or, perhaps, *self-praisers, boasters.*
**Shall not stand.**—As distinguished men before kings (Proverbs 22:29); as angels in the court of the heavenly King (Job 1:6).
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
11-23. These words are contrary to Job's previous sentiments (see on Job 21:22-33; Job 24:22-25). Job 21:22-33; 24:22-25). They therefore seem to be Job's statement, not so much of his own sentiments, as of what Zophar would have said had he spoken when his turn came (end of the twenty-sixth chapter). So Job stated the friends' opinion (Job 21:17-21; 24:18-21). The objection is, why, if so, does n...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
Chapter Outline
God will certainly hear prayer: David gives to God the glory, and takes to himself the comfort.(1-6)
He prayed for himself, that God would guide him, and for all the Lord's people, that God would give them joy, and keep them safe.(7-12)
**Verses 1-6**
God is a prayer-hearing God. Such he has always been, and he is still as ready to hear prayer as ever. T...
Read full commentary →Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man. bloody: Heb. man of bloods and deceit
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KJV Study Commentary
God's judgment extends to specific categories of sinners: liars ('speak leasing'), the violent ('bloody'), and the deceitful. The Hebrew 'kazab' (leasing/lies) emphasizes falsehood, while 'damim' (bloody) refers to those who shed innocent blood. God's 'abhorrence' (Hebrew 'ta'ab') is visceral rejection. These categories encompass humanity's chief sins against the ninth and sixth commandments. Yet ...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(6) **Leasing.**—See Psalm 4:2.
**Bloody.**—Margin, literally, *of bloods and deceit. *So LXX. and Vulg.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
11-23. These words are contrary to Job's previous sentiments (see on Job 21:22-33; Job 24:22-25). Job 21:22-33; 24:22-25). They therefore seem to be Job's statement, not so much of his own sentiments, as of what Zophar would have said had he spoken when his turn came (end of the twenty-sixth chapter). So Job stated the friends' opinion (Job 21:17-21; 24:18-21). The objection is, why, if so, does n...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
Chapter 5
Chapter Outline
God will certainly hear prayer: David gives to God the glory, and takes to himself the comfort.(1-6)
He prayed for himself, that God would guide him, and for all the Lord's people, that God would give them joy, and keep them safe.(7-12)
**Verses 1-6**
God is a prayer-hearing God. Such he has always been, and he is still as ready to hear prayer as ever. T...
Read full commentary →But 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. thy holy: Heb. the temple of thy holiness
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KJV Study Commentary
After describing God's hatred of sinners, David contrasts himself not through self-righteousness but through God's mercy. 'The multitude of thy mercy' (Hebrew 'rob chesed' - abundance of covenant love) is his only plea. David will worship 'in thy fear' - reverential awe, not terror. The temple (literally 'holy temple' or 'palace of holiness') represents God's presence. This verse captures the Refo...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(7) **House . . . temple.**—These words must certainly be taken literally, and not, as Hupfeld suggests, metaphorically, or in a spiritual sense with reference to Psalm 5:4. The reference to worship hardly allows the rendering *palace, *though the derivation of the Hebrew word permits it. No doubt either explanation is possible; but neither would have been suggested but for the title to the psalm;...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
11-23. These words are contrary to Job's previous sentiments (see on Job 21:22-33; Job 24:22-25). Job 21:22-33; 24:22-25). They therefore seem to be Job's statement, not so much of his own sentiments, as of what Zophar would have said had he spoken when his turn came (end of the twenty-sixth chapter). So Job stated the friends' opinion (Job 21:17-21; 24:18-21). The objection is, why, if so, does n...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 7-12**
David prayed often alone, yet was very constant in attendance on public worship. The mercy of God should ever be the foundation both of our hope and of our joy, in every thing wherein we have to do with him. Let us learn to pray, not for ourselves only, but for others; grace be with all that love Christ in sincerity. The Divine blessing comes down upon us through Jesus Christ, ...
Read full commentary →Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face. mine: Heb. those which observe me
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.</strong> This verse shifts from worship and petition to specific request for divine guidance in the midst of opposition. David requests God to lead him in righteousness specifically because enemies are watching, seeking opportunity to accuse or attack. The request acknowledges both personal...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(8) **Enemies.**—Literally, *those watching for, or lying in wait. *Aquila and Jerome both give “those lying in ambush.” God’s guidance and protection would enable the good man to avoid their snares, and to walk straight in the way of righteousness. To walk in God’s way is to walk in safety.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
11-23. These words are contrary to Job's previous sentiments (see on Job 21:22-33; Job 24:22-25). Job 21:22-33; 24:22-25). They therefore seem to be Job's statement, not so much of his own sentiments, as of what Zophar would have said had he spoken when his turn came (end of the twenty-sixth chapter). So Job stated the friends' opinion (Job 21:17-21; 24:18-21). The objection is, why, if so, does n...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 7-12**
David prayed often alone, yet was very constant in attendance on public worship. The mercy of God should ever be the foundation both of our hope and of our joy, in every thing wherein we have to do with him. Let us learn to pray, not for ourselves only, but for others; grace be with all that love Christ in sincerity. The Divine blessing comes down upon us through Jesus Christ, ...
Read full commentary →For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is very wickedness; their throat is an open sepulchre; they flatter with their tongue. faithfulness: or, stedfastness their mouth: Heb. his mouth, that is, the mouth of any of them very: Heb. wickednesses
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KJV Study Commentary
This verse describes the wicked with surgical precision. 'No faithfulness in their mouth' means unreliable speech. 'Their inward part is very wickedness' uses Hebrew 'hawwah' (destruction/ruin), indicating inner corruption. 'Open sepulchre' (throat) suggests deadly speech that spreads death. 'They flatter with their tongue' shows manipulative deception. Paul quotes this verse in Romans 3:13 as evi...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(9) **In their mouth.**—See margin.
**Wickedness.**—Properly, *an abyss, *from root “to fall,” hence in parallelism with “open sepulcher” in next clause. This is an instance of introverted parallelism, “mouth” answering to “tongue.” (See *Bible Educator, *iii. 50.)
**An open sepulchre.**—At once *dangerous and noisome.*
**Flatter.**—Literally, *make smooth the tongue. *(Comp. Psalm 12:2.) Shakespe...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
11-23. These words are contrary to Job's previous sentiments (see on Job 21:22-33; Job 24:22-25). Job 21:22-33; 24:22-25). They therefore seem to be Job's statement, not so much of his own sentiments, as of what Zophar would have said had he spoken when his turn came (end of the twenty-sixth chapter). So Job stated the friends' opinion (Job 21:17-21; 24:18-21). The objection is, why, if so, does n...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 7-12**
David prayed often alone, yet was very constant in attendance on public worship. The mercy of God should ever be the foundation both of our hope and of our joy, in every thing wherein we have to do with him. Let us learn to pray, not for ourselves only, but for others; grace be with all that love Christ in sincerity. The Divine blessing comes down upon us through Jesus Christ, ...
Read full commentary →Destroy 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. Destroy: or, Make them guilty by: or, from their counsels
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KJV Study Commentary
David's prayer for judgment is not personal vengeance but a call for divine justice. 'Let them fall by their own counsels' invokes the principle of retributive justice - the wicked trap themselves in their schemes (Psalm 7:15-16). The 'multitude of their transgressions' and their rebellion ('rebelled against thee') show these are not innocent victims but covenant violators. Such imprecatory prayer...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(10) **Destroy.**—Literally, *make *or *count guilty.*
**Transgressions.**—Literally, *revolts, *thus being in close synonymous parallelism with the next clause. Or else, as in margin and in ancient versions, LXX., Vulg., and Syriac, “Let them fall from their counsels:” *i.e.,* “let their plots fail.”
On the imprecations in the Psalms see *General Introduction, *6.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
11-23. These words are contrary to Job's previous sentiments (see on Job 21:22-33; Job 24:22-25). Job 21:22-33; 24:22-25). They therefore seem to be Job's statement, not so much of his own sentiments, as of what Zophar would have said had he spoken when his turn came (end of the twenty-sixth chapter). So Job stated the friends' opinion (Job 21:17-21; 24:18-21). The objection is, why, if so, does n...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 7-12**
David prayed often alone, yet was very constant in attendance on public worship. The mercy of God should ever be the foundation both of our hope and of our joy, in every thing wherein we have to do with him. Let us learn to pray, not for ourselves only, but for others; grace be with all that love Christ in sincerity. The Divine blessing comes down upon us through Jesus Christ, ...
Read full commentary →But 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. defendest: Heb. coverest over, or, protectest them
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>But 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.</strong> This verse celebrates the blessed condition of those who trust God, contrasting sharply with the judgment pronounced on the wicked in preceding verses (9-10). The threefold repetition—"rejoice... shout for joy... be j...
Read full commentary →Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers
(11) **Rejoice.**—From root meaning primarily *bright. *Proverbs 13:9 : “The light of the righteous rejoiceth.”
**Shield.**—Heb., *tsinnah. *The long large shield fit for a giant (1Samuel 17:7; 1Samuel 17:41), which could protect the whole body.
Luther, when asked at Augsburg where he should find shelter if his patron, the Elector of Saxony, should desert him, replied, “under the shield of heaven....
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
11-23. These words are contrary to Job's previous sentiments (see on Job 21:22-33; Job 24:22-25). Job 21:22-33; 24:22-25). They therefore seem to be Job's statement, not so much of his own sentiments, as of what Zophar would have said had he spoken when his turn came (end of the twenty-sixth chapter). So Job stated the friends' opinion (Job 21:17-21; 24:18-21). The objection is, why, if so, does n...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 7-12**
David prayed often alone, yet was very constant in attendance on public worship. The mercy of God should ever be the foundation both of our hope and of our joy, in every thing wherein we have to do with him. Let us learn to pray, not for ourselves only, but for others; grace be with all that love Christ in sincerity. The Divine blessing comes down upon us through Jesus Christ, ...
Read full commentary →For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield. compass: Heb. crown
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KJV Study Commentary
<strong>For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.</strong> This concluding verse provides theological foundation for the joy described in verse 11—God blesses the righteous with favor that surrounds them like a shield. The verse uses two powerful images: blessing/favor and encircling protection, both emphasizing God's active goodness toward those...
Read full commentary →Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary
11-23. These words are contrary to Job's previous sentiments (see on Job 21:22-33; Job 24:22-25). Job 21:22-33; 24:22-25). They therefore seem to be Job's statement, not so much of his own sentiments, as of what Zophar would have said had he spoken when his turn came (end of the twenty-sixth chapter). So Job stated the friends' opinion (Job 21:17-21; 24:18-21). The objection is, why, if so, does n...
Read full commentary →Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary
**Verses 7-12**
David prayed often alone, yet was very constant in attendance on public worship. The mercy of God should ever be the foundation both of our hope and of our joy, in every thing wherein we have to do with him. Let us learn to pray, not for ourselves only, but for others; grace be with all that love Christ in sincerity. The Divine blessing comes down upon us through Jesus Christ, ...
Read full commentary →