PsalmsChapter 5

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For the choir director. With flutes. A psalm of David.[^1] [^1]: The Hebrew term rendered "flutes" is uncertain; it may name a melody or a type of instrument.

Listen to my words, LORD; understand my sighing.

Pay attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you I pray.

LORD, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my plea before you and watch for your answer.

For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil cannot dwell with you.

The arrogant cannot stand before your eyes; you hate all who do wrong.

You destroy those who tell lies; the LORD detests the violent and the deceitful.

But I, through your abundant mercy, will enter your house; in reverence for you I will bow toward your holy temple.

LORD, lead me in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.

For there is nothing trustworthy in their mouth; within them is destruction. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they flatter.

Declare them guilty, God! Let them fall by their own schemes. Drive them out for their many transgressions, for they have rebelled against you.

But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing for joy forever. Spread your shelter over them, and let those who love your name exult in you.

For you, LORD, bless the righteous; you surround them with favor as with a shield.

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Summary2

Chapter 5

Main Theme: A morning prayer for God's guidance and protection against deceitful enemies.

Content: David calls upon God as his King and presents his case every morning. He contrasts the fate of the wicked—those who speak lies and practice treachery—with his own access to God's house through the Lord's mercy. The psalm concludes with a declaration of trust: God blesses the righteous and surrounds him with favor like a shield.

Key Words/Images:

Morning (בֹּקֶר): David arranges his prayer for God in the morning and waits for an answer.
Open Grave (קֶבֶר־פָּתוּחַ): The enemies' throat is compared to an open grave—their words bring death.
Shield of Favor (כַּצִּנָּה רָצוֹן): God crowns the righteous with His favor as a protective shield.

Historical context

Events and Customs

Psalm 5 describes a morning prayer practice that was central to Israelite piety. The expression "in the morning" (בֹּקֶר, boqer) is repeated twice in verse 4, emphasizing the importance of early prayer. The verb "to arrange" or "to set forth" (אֶעֱרָךְ, e'erakh) is otherwise used for arranging offerings on the altar, suggesting that the psalmist understands his prayer as a spiritual offering. Morning was regarded as a particularly favorable time to seek God, and the tradition of morning prayer continued in later Jewish practice with the shacharit prayer.

The reference to "coming into your house" and "bowing down toward your holy temple" (verse 8) points to worship practices at the sanctuary. The Hebrew word היכל (hekhal) refers to the temple building itself or the holy place. To bow down (הִשְׁתַּחֲוָה, hishtachavah) was a physical act of deep reverence, often with the face toward the ground. This was the standard form of worship before a king or deity throughout the ancient Near East.

Key Terms

The heading contains the rare expression "אֶל־הַנְּחִילוֹת" (el hannechilot), traditionally translated "for the flutes." This may refer to a wind instrument that was to accompany the psalm, or it could be a musical direction. The word is related to the Hebrew term for "to bore holes," supporting the interpretation of flutes or pipe-like instruments.

The term "חַסְדְּךָ" (chasdekha, 'your steadfast love') in verse 8 – often translated as "steadfast love" or "mercy" – denotes God's faithful covenantal love. This is one of the most theologically rich words in the Old Testament, expressing the enduring, binding love that connects God to his people.

The image of God as a "shield" (צִנָּה, tsinnah) in verse 13 refers to the large body shield that covered the soldier from neck to feet, as opposed to the smaller round shield (מָגֵן, magen). The verse states that God's favor (רָצוֹן, *ratson) "crowns" or "surrounds" the righteous like such a shield – an image of complete protection.

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Key words1

Book of Psalms 5 — This chapter does not exist in the Bible, as the Book of Psalms is divided into 150 psalms and not chapters. Please provide a correct reference to get a list of important words and explanations.

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