Psalm 5: Praying Through The Psalms

Give ear to my words, Yahweh. Consider my meditation. Listen to the voice of my cry, my King and my God; for I pray to you (Ps. 5:1-2, WEB).

Heavenly Father, you are worthy to be praised. You are a compassionate and sympathetic God, always listening to my anxious thoughts and the voice of my cry. You take heed, הַקְשִׁ֤יבָה, to my cry. You are attentive, inclining your ears of infinite wisdom to my weary soul.

I pray to you and bring my most painful thoughts to your mind because I know you care; you are the pure, holy, and loving king who wants the best for all of us–thanks for being so kind.

Yahweh, in the morning you will hear my voice. In the morning I will lay my requests before you, and will watch expectantly. For you are not a God who has pleasure in wickedness. Evil can’t live with you (Ps. 5:3-4).

Righteous Lord, in the morning I will cry out to you. Yahweh, the “I Am Who I Am” God of this universe, please hear my broken heart. I have many requests to share with you. The world is full of deceit and hardship, and I need your power and wisdom to navigate through the complexities of this life.

Holy Savior, you are not a God who has pleasure in wickedness. The Hebrew word for wicked, רֶ֥שַׁע, means violence and crime against the law. When we break your commands by not loving you and others, we are demonstrating a wicked and rebellious heart. For Scripture teaches that all of us have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. There is no one who does good; not even one.

But in the midst of this truth, please forgive us our transgressions. Lead us to a path where we can live holy, unadulterated lives–and be blameless in your sight by trusting in Jesus, our Savior, to rescue us from sin.

For when His blood covers the multitude of our sins, we can dwell in the midst of your holiness. But without Christ, we are hopeless, evil, and have no relationship with you. Thanks for sending your Son Jesus to impute His righteousness to us by grace.

The arrogant will not stand in your sight. You hate all workers of iniquity. You will destroy those who speak lies. Yahweh abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man (Ps. 5:5-6).

Prince of peace, the arrogant at heart can’t stand in your sight. For you despise their pride and self-centered lives–you hate all workers of iniquity. I pray that you would continually remind us of your holiness and power so that we remain humble and not be led into this temptation.

For you will destroy those who speak lies. You will not let the unrighteous go unpunished. For when we break your commands and practice falsehood, you will not tolerate us. You abhor the bloodthirsty and deceitful person; may we endeavor to be truthful and honest in all our dealings with humankind.

But as for me, in the abundance of your loving kindness I will come into your house. I will bow toward your holy temple in reverence of you. Leave me, Yahweh, in your righteousness because of my enemies. Make your way straight before my face (Ps. 5:7-8).

Jesus, our high priest–because of you we can enter into a relationship with the everlasting God. You have given us access to come into the house of the Almighty. As believers, we will bow toward your holy temple and give you all the praise, glory, and honor that is due for dying on the cross for our sins.

Yahweh, our Father and King, show us the way of righteousness. Strengthen our faith and protect us from our enemies. Jesus, you encouraged us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us–for when we do so, our lives reflect the goodness of our God on the narrow road that leads to eternal life.

For there is no faithfulness in their mouth. Their heart is destruction. Their throat is an open tomb. They flatter with their tongue. Hold them guilty, God. Let them fall by their own counsels. Thrust them out in the multitude of their transgressions, for they have rebelled against you (Ps. 5:9-10).

Creator, our world is broken and there are many people who rebel against you. I have a rebellious heart myself, and I know that without your grace and Holy Spirit, my heart would be full of destruction and deceit. But thank you Jesus, that you took out my heart of stone and gave me a heart of flesh. Thank you my Lord that I no longer stand guilty because you have reconciled me through the atoning sacrifice.

Father, I know you are not willing that any perish but all come to repentance. However, free will indicates that there will be evildoers that never repent of their sins–they have rebelled against you and will be thrusted out of the kingdom of God. O Lord, have mercy on all of us.

But let all those who take refuge in your rejoice. Let them always shout for joy, because you defend them. Let them also who love your name be joyful in you. For you will bless the righteous. Yahweh, you will surround him with favor as with a shield (Ps. 5:11-12).

Everlasting Father, it’s good to know that there is a refuge. You protect us, וְתָסֵ֣ךְ, defend us, cover us like the ark in a flood. There is turbulence all around us, but we seek refuge in you and we shout for joy because you are the Rock of our salvation. There is nothing that can separate us from your love–no height, no depth, no principalities or powers will ever be able to take us from the love that is in Christ Jesus.

Yahweh, you bless the righteous. You will surround believers with favor as with a shield. When the enemy throws darts, you will be a wall of fire around and the glory in the midst of us. The fiery arrows will not be able to stand against the power of our great King. May we forever worship you. Amen.

Prayer by Chad A. Damitz (M.Div)