God Blesses Righteousness

by Samuel A. Matthews

“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. 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. 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. 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. 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 5:1-12 KJV).

Loved ones, this is called a morning psalm or prayer, and what better way to start the day? Most of us perhaps pray more at night, but we know we are more likely to face temptations in the day ahead. This prayer may be the second “morning prayer” in the group of Psalms three through five.

As you read this psalm, you know shadows still lie across the writer's path. He is beset by enemies clearly set in opposition to God's plans and purposes. Thus, before he faces the day, he will carry the matter to the Lord.

His Appeal (Psalms 5:1-3)

Psalm 5:1

Two requests are herein laid before the Lord. He asks God to listen to what he has to say. When he says “give ear," he is in fact asking God to place his hand to his ear so as to be able to hear better. That is an act of boldness, but he knows God would want him to pray. He is thus encouraged to do so. Isn't this the appeal of the Hebrew writer (Hebrews 4:16)? He also asks God to consider his innermost thoughts. This means the groanings of the heart that may not be realized. So he comes in boldness because of who he is and also because of who God is.

Psalm 5:2

Herein one hears an earnest appeal. It is a cry for help from a burdened soul. Here one comes to Him who is King and Lord. Since God is his king and he is therefore a subject, he would expect to be heard. After all, God made a covenant with His people, and here is one that was under that covenant. Why would he not appeal to him? Where else could he go? Who would want to do more for him?

Psalm 5:3

His appeal would be persistent. Note that his prayer would be heard in the morning. That means every morning. That was the part of the solution. It would not only be persistent, but also planned. He would "direct" his prayer. As you would direct a letter to a friend. It is a word like laying the wood in order upon an altar (Genesis 22:9), or like the offering in Leviticus 1:6-7. There would be nothing haphazard about it, for his prayer would be planned. Add to all this that his appeal would be expectant. Notice that "he would direct his prayer and will look up." That just means he expects an answer. Isn't this what Elijah did when he sent his servant to look toward the sea as he prayed (I Kings 18:43)? Yes, his appeal would be persistent and planned, but it would also be purposeful.

His Assessment (Psalm 5:4-8)

Psalm 5:4

He comes now to identify the problem and to assess the matter in the light of God's holiness. He knew God’s nature and that such would forbid his prospering those who were allied with Absalom in the rebellion. He knew nothing in God's character inclined toward evil. He would agree with the prophet Habakkuk, “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil" (Habakkuk 1:13). God could not, because of His character, bless such an endeavor. He does not put out the welcome mat for evil, and neither should we (II John 9-10). Thus, the more one loves holiness, the more he will abhor evil. Thus, he appeals to the moral judge of the universe.

Psalm 5:5

The wicked's folly is evident, and their fall is predictable. They will not be able to snatch God's blessings, despite this. God's displeasure is clear and well known. History will attest to this fact.

Psalm 5:6

Their fate is sealed. Such people have no future. But take a look at the way these are described in this section. They are said to be wicked, evil, foolish, iniquitous, liars, blood-thirsty, and deceitful. How could such a group hope to enjoy the blessings of a holy God? There is no way such could occur.

Psalms 5:7-8

The wicked may behave in a fashion typical of them, but not so with God's servant, for he is seen in faithful worship and in righteous living. He knows that the proper manner of life is the "way" God set forth, and, being righteous, he intends to pursue it. His assessment of the wicked is clearly correct, as seen in the background of God's character. For them to have fellowship with God, they would have to change, and God does not change.

His Adversaries (Psalm 5:9-10)

Psalm 5:9

This gives a picture of the environment in which the writer lived. He lived among people whose words were not dependable at all. They could not be trusted. Their heart was full of treachery. Their mouth was like an open grave, full of corruption. They misuse the tongue in flattery

Psalm 5:10

In the verse above we see their foulness, and in this one we see their fate. They deserve to be destroyed. Here he calls upon God to pronounce them guilty. He asks that they be exposed. That they also be expelled. Then we have the reason why he asks for all of this. "For they have rebelled against thee." Again, David sees Absalom's rebellion as rebellion against God, and for that reason he, along with others, should be punished.

His Assurance (Psalm 5:11-12)

Psalm 5:11

Here David would seek to reassure those around him of God's protection. He knows God will take care of them, for he remembers God's past mercies. For that reason, his heart would overflow with joy and gladness. They have reason to rejoice for they have a refuge.

Psalm 5:12

David had no doubt that God would crown the righteous and afford them protection. The righteous can enjoy the shelter from the storm that the Lord offers. Surely David could sing, “Blessed Assurance."

Conclusion

There is no doubt that God would hear this noble appeal from one of His righteous children. This surely encourages those of us who face battles today.