(A Psalm
of David to the chief Musician Nehiloth)
“Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way straight before me.” (v. 8)
The
opening of Psalm 5 is a prayer by David for help and refuge in a time of
trouble (vv.1-3). In the next few verses, David justifies that cry for help by describing
what God abhors: the wicked, the boastful, liars, murders, and deceitful men
(vv.4-6). Then, after David describes his own reverence, he asks God for
direction in dealing with his enemies (vv. 7-9), even making an appeal to God for
their judgment (v.10). However,
by the end of his prayer we find David saying, “But let all who take refuge in You be glad, let them
ever sing for joy; and may You shelter them, that those who love Your name may
exalt in You” (v.12)
Wow, A complete turn around! He goes from asking for
protection and judgment on his enemies, to rejoicing in the LORD who has never failed him. Jesus said, "Love your enemies, bless those who curse you, and do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you" (Matthew 5:44). It
took David a while to get there, and it may take us some time until we can pray for our enemies as well. But, I believe it was here David began to pray in
God’s will and that as he prayed, he began to see their greater need, salvation.
The lesson for us is obvious. When we
pray in His will, believing and trusting in Him for our provision and
protection, like David, we will be surrounded by His favor, and greater things can happen than we could ever imagine.
The Truth
He who
dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the
Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My
God, in Him I will trust.” (Psalm 91:1)
