Different Expectations of The Godly and Ungodly

Psalm 5:1-12

“To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm of David.” (Psalm 5:1a)

David wrote this Psalm specifically for the flute section, addressing it to the man who played in the first chair position.     

“Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.   Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto thee will I pray.  My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” (Psalm 5:1b-3)

Frequently people talk to a little child without really listening to what he is trying to say.  Sometimes adults don’t listen because the little child just prattles away and they aren’t even sure if he is really talking to them or just likes to hear the sound of his own voice.   Sometimes when people pray, they are like the little child, wanting God to listen to them, while they are not really talking to him at all, but are just enjoying their beautiful words and their reputation for praying so much. 

Jesus addressed that very problem in Matthew 6:5-8.  “And when thou prayest, thou shalt not be as the hypocrites are: for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and in the corners of the streets, that they may be seen of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.  But when ye pray, use not vain repetitions, as the heathen do: for they think that they shall be heard for their much speaking.  Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. “   

There is no need for us to spend hours repeatedly asking God for the same thing.  Romans 8:26-27 tells us, “Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered.  And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.”   Ever wonder how many times the Holy Spirit just condenses our prayers down to the important parts and God doesn’t even listen to the rest of what we say, just like we do with the kids?

David asked that the Lord hear what he said and understand his thoughts.   He promised he would talk to the Lord, directing his prayer to him and focusing on God, recognizing him as God and king, while not abusing his privilege, just to satisfy his own ego.  

“For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.  The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.  Thou shalt destroy them that speak leasing: the LORD will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.” (Psalm 5:4-6)

God is a God who cannot bear to look upon sin.  He will not associate with evil.  Those who simply go along with sin will have no place with him and he hates those who deliberately and knowingly do evil.  He will destroy all those who deliberately lie and mislead people because he abhors deceitfulness and cruelty. 

“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.  Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.” (Psalm 5:7-8)

David knows himself to be a weak sinful man but because God is a merciful God, he dares come, asking forgiveness and worshipping in the Temple.    Surrounded by those who hate him and would lead him astray, he begs that God would lead him in the proper way.

“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.  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.” (Psalm 5:9-10)

The wicked cannot be trusted at all.  Even their best advice is wicked, ignoring God and leads to death.  When they say nice things about you, it is for their own benefit.  David asks that God destroy them, letting them suffer the consequences of their own actions, and not bless them for what others have done because they have rebelled against God.  We live in a world where people demand the right to make choices without having to take responsibility for those choices.  One of the worst things for those who go into hell will be having to take responsibility instead of blaming someone else. 

“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.  For thou, LORD, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.” (Psalm 5:11-12)

Those who love God will rejoice, knowing he has protected them, surrounding them with blessings and shielding them from the evil around them.