I’ve seen enough country to know there’s beauty spread in all directions. If a place is ugly, you can pretty much figure it was something men had done to cause it.”
–Lou Bradshaw (Along the Way)
“I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles.”
–Psalm 145:5 (NLT)
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When I read Psalm 5, the first thing I think about is this: Without the Lord what would be the use? Where would I be? No matter our lot in life it could always be worse. No matter what position we hold how can we get through it without the direction of the Holy Spirit? Abraham Lincoln said, “I would be the greatest fool on earth if I did not realize that I could never satisfy the demands of the high office without the help of One who is greater and stronger than I.”
Too often, I am afraid, most people start the day looking down. They look down at their feet when they get up, they then look down at their phones to see if they missed anything. When in the shower they look down and at the table, if they take time for breakfast they will look down at their plate and coffee cup. Instead, we should begin each day with expectation–looking upward. In this psalm it seems that David begins the day with a “sigh.” He starts the day already moaning and groaning. Then he takes that cry and turns it into expectancy.
Listen to my words, LORD; consider my sighing. (1)
Pay attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for I pray to You.
At daybreak, LORD, You hear my voice; at daybreak I plead my case to You and watch expectantly. (3)
David then begins to think of the Lord and His character. He begins reflecting on the things that bring displeasure to God. Deceitfulness seems to especially bring displeasure to Him. It also seems that David takes the wrath of God for granted; he knows it is there. But the purpose of the wrath of God is to cleanse; it is in reality a mark of His love.
In this modern and enlightened culture in which we live (?) we often hear that God hates the sin, but loves the sinner. There is truth there because He gave His Son for all. However, take a look at these next verses.
For You are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil cannot lodge with You. (4)
The boastful cannot stand in Your presence; You hate all evildoers. (5)
You destroy those who tell lies; the LORD abhors a man of bloodshed and treachery. (6)
The NLT puts verse 4 this way, “O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness; you cannot tolerate the slightest sin.” We tend to categorize sin; in our modern view we begin to say this is okay and that is all right–after all we’re only human. I wonder how many in the church pray as David prayed?
“When we don’t pray, we quit the fight.
Prayer keeps the Christian’s armor bright.
And Satan trembles when he sees
The weakest saint upon his knees.”
–William Cowper