Devotional on Psalm 5:
Scripture Reading: Psalm 5 (ESV)
“Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch… Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.“

Reflection: The Cry of the Righteous
Psalm 5, penned by David, resonates with the raw honesty and fervent trust of a soul seeking God amidst trial. This psalm has been a cornerstone for believers across centuries, offering a model of prayer that balances lament, trust, and hope in God’s righteous character. Early church fathers like Augustine and Chrysostom saw in this psalm a call to morning prayer, a discipline of aligning one’s heart with God at the dawn of each day, as well as a reminder of God’s justice against the backdrop of human wickedness.

David begins with an urgent plea: “Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning” (v. 1). This is no polite request, but the cry of a man surrounded by enemies, likely during the tumultuous days of Saul’s pursuit or Absalom’s rebellion. For early Christians, this resonated deeply. Persecuted believers in the Roman Empire, like those addressed in the writings of Tertullian, found solace in David’s example of bringing their distress directly to God. They understood that God is not distant but a “King and God” who hears the cries of His people (v. 2). This intimacy emboldened martyrs and confessors to face suffering with courage, trusting that God would either deliver them or sustain them through trial.

The phrase “in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch” (v. 3) holds profound significance. For David, this likely referred to literal sacrifices offered at the tabernacle, but for Christians through the ages, it points to the sacrifice of praise and a life devoted to God. The early church, as seen in the Didache and writings of Justin Martyr, emphasized morning prayer as a spiritual discipline, a way to consecrate the day to God. The act of “watching” suggests expectant faith—waiting on God’s response with confidence. This echoes the New Testament call to “wait on the Lord” (Isaiah 40:31), a theme cherished by Reformers like Calvin, who taught that prayer is the soul’s ascent to God, trusting in His timing and will.

David’s contrast between the righteous and the wicked (vv. 4–6) reflects God’s holy character, a truth central to historical Christian theology. Augustine, in his Expositions on the Psalms, emphasized that God’s hatred of evil is not capricious but rooted in His perfect justice. This gave comfort to believers facing moral corruption in their societies, from the decadence of Rome to the challenges of the medieval world. Yet, David’s plea is not for vengeance but for guidance: “Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness” (v. 8). This prayer for a straight path inspired figures like Thomas à Kempis, who in The Imitation of Christ urged believers to seek God’s guidance amidst life’s trials, trusting that His righteousness would prevail.

The psalm closes with a note of joy and refuge (vv. 11–12), a theme that resonated with the early church’s eschatological hope. For believers facing martyrdom or exile, the promise that “those who love your name may exult in you” was a foretaste of eternal joy. This hope carried through to the Reformation, where Luther found in Psalm 5 a reminder that God’s favor is a shield for His people, protecting them not only from physical enemies but from despair and doubt.

Application: A Prayer for Today
As modern believers, we can draw from this historical well of faith. Like David, we face a world marked by opposition—whether external pressures or internal struggles. Psalm 5 invites us to begin each day with prayer, offering our “sacrifice” of trust and devotion. Let us cry out to God with honesty, knowing He hears our groans. Let us seek His righteous path, trusting that He will guide us through the noise of our enemies—be they cultural, spiritual, or personal. And let us take refuge in His joy, confident that His favor surrounds us as a shield.

Prayer
O Lord, my King and my God, hear my morning cry. Amidst the noise of this world, lead me in Your righteousness. Make Your way straight before me, and let me find refuge in Your steadfast love. May I exult in Your name today, trusting that Your favor is my shield. Amen.

For Further Reflection
• How can you incorporate morning prayer into your daily routine, following the example of David and the early church?
• Where do you need God’s guidance to walk in His righteousness today?
• Reflect on a time when God’s favor felt like a shield in your life. How does this encourage you to trust Him now?