OceanSide church of Christ

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GOD IS OUR DEFENDER

Psalm 5

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.     Psalm 5 is said to be “A Psalm of David” in the title.  There is no reason to doubt this.

1.       This is not an inspired statement.

2.       However, the Jews spent much time investigating and researching the psalms.  They trusted them so much that they put them as the first verse in their Hebrew Bibles.

 

B.     The title also says:  “To the chief Musician on Neginoth.”

1.       Most believe the Neginoth was a musical instrument.  One commentator referred to it as a flute.

2.       The psalm was most likely written to be accompanied by this specific type of instrument. 

3.       It was sent to the chief Musician who was over this section of instruments.

 

C.     The psalm is a “morning psalm” (Ps. 5:3).

 

My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O Lord, in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and look up.

 

D.    We have entitled this psalm:  “God Is Our Defender” (See Psalm 5:11).

 

But let all them 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.

 

I.             PRAYER (Ps. 5:1-3)

 

Give ear to my word, 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.

 

A.     The being to which we pray

1.       The psalmist cries out saying:  “O Lord,” “my King,” “my God,” and “O Lord.”

a.       Lord refers to Yahweh or Jehovah, the self-existent one.

b.      King refers to the Supreme Ruler of the Jewish nation and the Universe.

1)       A king prays to the King.

2)       David knew who his superior was.

c.       God refers to the Almighty, powerful God of heaven.

2.       We still pray to this same God today (Matt. 6:9).

 

After this manner therefore pray ye:  Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.

 

B.     The boldness of the prayer.

1.       “Give ear,” “consider,” “hearken,” and “my voice shalt thou hear”

2.       These statements are worded as commands.

a.       Hearing them might cause us to think the psalmist is arrogant.

b.      Not so!  God wants His children to come boldly to His throne.

c.       Hebrews 4:16

 

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

 

C.     The benefit of the prayer

1.       The psalmist ends this section with the words:  “…and will look up.”

2.       Looking up is a benefit.

a.       Far too often we keep our heads focused on the problems below.

b.      It is when we look up and commune with God that we make a positive step in overcoming our problems.

 

II.           POSITION (Ps. 5:4-6)

 

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 wilt destroy them that speak leasing:  the Lord will abhor the bloody and deceitful man.

 

A.     The psalmist reveals the position God takes against wicked and evil people.

 

B.     Six different groups are listed and six responses of God toward them are listed.

 

 

Groups                                                    Responses

 

1.       Wickedness                                                                        1.  No pleasure

2.       Evil                                                                                    2.  Shall not dwell

3.       Foolish                                                                   3.  Shall not stand in thy sight

4.       Workers of iniquity                                                            4.  Hatest

5.       Speak leasing (lies)                                                  5.  Destroy

6.       Bloody and deceitful man                                       6.  Abhor

 

C.     Because the psalmist understood the holy nature of God, He calls upon Him when his enemies surround him.

1.       The psalmist was a righteous man.

2.       He is dealing with men who are evil and corrupt.

3.       God’s nature will not allow Him to tolerate evil men very long.

 

D.    A person’s understanding of God is paramount to his prayer life.

1.       It motivates him to pray.

2.       Too, he knows the things for which he can pray.

3.       NOTE:  When evil attacks us, we have every right to pray for God’s defense against it!

 

III.         PRACTICE (Ps. 5:7)

 

But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy:  and in fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.

 

A.     The psalmist has prayed to his God, a God who is holy and hates evil.

 

B.     While his prayers are being considered by the Father in heaven, the psalmist continues to practice faithfulness.

1.       He comes into the house of God.

2.       He worships toward the holy temple.

 

C.     Faithfulness is one of the keys to effective prayers.

1.       Verses

a.       James 5:16b

 

…the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

 

b.      Proverbs 15:29

 

The Lord is far from the wicked:  but he heareth the prayer of the righteous.

 

 

c.       Proverbs 28:9

 

He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

 

2.       David knew that he could not turn away from God in trouble and be protected.  Neither can we!

 

IV.         PETITION (Ps. 5:8-12)

 

A.     Direction (Ps. 5:8-9)

1.       The Request (Ps. 5:8)

 

Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before me.

 

a.       The psalmist does not want to deviate from God’s way.

b.      He wants to walk the straight and narrow.

2.       The Reason (Ps. 5:8-9)

a.       “…because of mine enemies…” (Ps. 5:8)

b.      He describes them in verse 9.

1)       No faithfulness:  they cannot be trusted

2)       Wicked hearts:  they have evil control centers

3)       Open sepulcher:  they bring men to the grave

4)       Flatter with tongue:  influence through enticing words

c.       Evil men keep the pressure on the righteous.  They have many ways to bring the righteous to ruin.

 

B.     Destruction (Ps. 5:10)

 

Destroy thou them, O God, let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their trespasses; for they have rebelled against thee.

 

1.       The Desire

a.       “Destroy thou them, O God…”

b.      The psalmist wants his enemies to be punished.

c.       This is not an arbitrary, unfounded wish.

2.       The Design

a.       “…let them fall by their own counsels…”

b.      It is always best when a person is caught in his own trap.

c.       Haman is an example of one falling by his own counsels.  He erected a gallows on which Mordecai was to be hanged, but he was hanged thereon instead.

3.       The Defense

a.       The reason the psalmist could make this request is because these men were evil.

1)       Multitude of their transgressions

2)       They have rebelled against God

b.      NOTE:  The desire for the destruction of the enemies was not baseless.  It was rooted in the fact that these individuals were sinners and enemies of God Himself.

 

C.     Defend (Ps. 5:11-12)

 

But let all them 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, O Lord, wilt bless the righteous; with favour wilt thou compass him as with a shield.

 

1.       Protection

a.       Thou defendest them…wilt thou compass him with a shield

b.      God will hem them in.  He will put a protective barrier around the faithful.

c.       Example:

1)       The movie, “The 300”:  the Spartans protect themselves from the arrows of the enemies with their shields.

2)       The movie, “Gladiator”:  the gladiators use their shields to protect themselves from the chariots of their enemies.

2.       Praise

a.       “Rejoice”…”shout for joy”…”be joyful in thee.”

b.      When the armies of Israel returned from the battlefield after David slew Goliath (I Sam. 18:6-7).

3.       Properties

a.       Put their trust in thee

b.      Love they name

c.       Righteous

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.     David was the king of Israel and had many enemies.

 

B.     He knew these enemies sought to divert him from the ways of God.

 

C.     David, however, trusted in a King that was far superior in rank and power.

1.       This King could defend him against his enemies.

2.       Thus, he prayed for Him to punish these evil wicked men.

3.       He knew God would act on his behalf because

a.       He trusted and loved his God.

b.      He understood the nature of the God that he served.

 

D.    My friends, the same God that protected David will protect us. 

1.       Trust Him.  Love Him. Live righteously before Him.

2.       Then, with boldness let your requests be made before His throne.