Psalm 5 – LEAD ME IN RIGHTEOUSNESS - Praying through the Psalms

Psalm 5 –  LEAD ME IN RIGHTEOUSNESS (See Below)

Psalm 5 is a lament but also a reminder of who God is. He is our King and our God. He is just but also shows steadfast love and preserves His children. This should have a profound effect on how we live our lives.

Our relationship with God is the most important one in our lives, and as such, we ought to make it our priority. You’ll notice that both Psalm 4 and Psalm 5 start with a cry for help at different times of the day. Psalm 4 speaks of going to sleep in peace, whereas Psalm 5 reminds us that God hears our prayers in the morning. These prayers show us that we ought to start and end our day with prayer.

Prayer is how we communicate with God and therefore an important part of our relationship with Him. Prayer not only helps us grow in our relationship with God, but it also allows us to commit our whole lives to Him. Every morning we can start fresh; before the chaos of our lives fills our minds with other things, we are blessed to be able to fill our minds with God. When you wake, read a portion, verse, or chapter of His word, and talk to our heavenly Father. He wants all our prayers, even our groaning. When it’s time to lay your head down at night, let God be the last thing on your mind. End your day in communication with the One who made it. To have a solid and meaningful relationship with God, we need to call on Him at the start and end of our day, but we also need to pray regularly throughout the day. When you make God the most important part of your life, you will make time to read the Bible and talk with Him.

As Christians, it is important to acknowledge all of God’s character. God hates sin and demands perfection; however, He is also gracious and faithful. God’s hatred of sin means that all sin will be punished, even the sins that the world commits against us. We can be reassured that we are forgiven all our sins through the blood of Jesus Christ and the working of the Holy Spirit. Though God's justice avenges our injuries, as His children, we find refuge in His righteousness, steadfast love, and protection. God is gracious in His mercy and wants us to bring everything to Him. We can approach Him boldly in prayer because of the sacrifice of His Son. We can confidently ask God to fill us with the Holy Spirit, to surround us with His love, and give us true joy, as only He can. David prayed confidently, knowing that God will cast out unrepentant sinners; none can stand against Him. God hates sin and, just as David prepared sacrifices for God in the morning, we must daily repent from our sins and come before God in humble gratitude.

When we strive to live in accordance with God’s word, we will be able to better identify our sins. Our reaction to our sins ought to be like God’s; intolerant of even the smallest offense. God does not excuse our sins, and neither should we. See your sins for what they are and confidently seek forgiveness and the Holy Spirit so that you may strive to live the way God demands.

David was king of Israel, yet he knew that, before God, we are all God’s servants. He calls God “my King,” reminding us that God rules and judges over all, and He alone can bring justice. As our King, we ought to serve Him rightly, coming before Him with a sacrificial heart and confidence in His might, knowing that the LORD will bless those who take refuge in Him.

Starting the day with Prayer

Oh LORD, my King and my God,

Before the chaos of the day distracts my mind, I ask You to fill me with Your word and Spirit. I come before You in humble adoration because You are a just God. “You are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with You.” Thank You for Your unfailing justice and steadfast love. I praise You for the many blessings and promises You have given Your children. Dear LORD, I pray, fill me with Your Spirit and, “lead me, o LORD, in Your righteousness.” Let me not be tempted by the evil doings of those around me but cover me “with favor as with a shield.” Put Your Word on my heart and Your will in my mind, that I may live as Your law requires. When and where I fall short, please forgive me through the precious blood of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Psalm 5 Lead Me in Your Righteousness

To the choirmaster: for the flutes. A Psalm of David.

1 Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning.
² Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray.
³ O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.

⁴ For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you.
⁵ The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers.
⁶ You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

⁷ But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house.
I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you.
⁸ Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.

⁹ For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue.
¹⁰ Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you.

¹¹ But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.
¹² For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield.