1 Psa 5:1-12. Upon Nehiloth - flutes or wind instruments. The writer begs to be heard, on the ground of God's regard for His covenant-people and true worshippers as contrasted with His holy hatred to the wicked. He prays for divine guidance, on account of his watchful, malignant, and deceitful enemies; and for their destruction as being also God's enemies. At the same time he expresses his confidence that God will extend aid to His people. meditation - moanings of that half-uttered form to which deep feeling gives rise - groanings, as in Rom 8:26, Rom 8:27.
2 Hearken - incline the ear (Psa 10:17; compare Psa 61:2) - give close attention. my cry - that is, for help (Psa 61:2; Jer 8:19). my King - thus by covenant relation interested in my cause.
3 direct - literally, "set in order," as the showbread was placed or set in order (Exo 40:23).
4 For, etc. - God only regards sincere worshippers. evil - or, "the evil man." dwell - lodge, remain under protection.
5 foolish - vainglorious and insolent. iniquity - especially such as denotes a negation, or defect, that is, of moral principle.
6 leasing - a lie. the bloody ... man - literally, "man of blood" - murderer.
7 But - as in Psa 2:6, literally, "and." house - (1Ch 9:23), the tabernacle. temple - literally, "palace," applied to God's residence, the Holy of Holies (1Sa 3:3; 2Sa 22:7); the inner part of the tabernacle. toward - not in; the high priest alone was allowed to enter.
8 enemies - literally, "watchers" (Psa 27:11), hence special need of guidance. in thy righteousness - an attribute implying faithfulness in promises as well as threatenings. make thy way straight - that is, make the way of providence plain.
9 The wicked are not reliable because by nature they are full of wickedness, or literally, "wickednesses," of every kind (Rom 8:7). sepulchre - a dwelling-place of corruption, emitting moral putridness. flatter - or, "make smooth." their tongue - speaks deceitfully.
10 Destroy - or, "condemn" them to destruction as guilty.
11 defendest - (compare Margin). love thy name - Thy manifested perfections (Psa 9:10).
12 with favour - or, "acceptance," alluding to the favor shown to an acceptable offering and worshipper (Lev 7:18; Lev 19:7). shield - (compare Psa 3:3).
meditation - moanings of that half-uttered form to which deep feeling gives rise - groanings, as in Rom 8:26, Rom 8:27.
2 Hearken - incline the ear (Psa 10:17; compare Psa 61:2) - give close attention.
my cry - that is, for help (Psa 61:2; Jer 8:19).
my King - thus by covenant relation interested in my cause.
3 direct - literally, "set in order," as the showbread was placed or set in order (Exo 40:23).
4 For, etc. - God only regards sincere worshippers.
evil - or, "the evil man."
dwell - lodge, remain under protection.
5 foolish - vainglorious and insolent.
iniquity - especially such as denotes a negation, or defect, that is, of moral principle.
6 leasing - a lie.
the bloody ... man - literally, "man of blood" - murderer.
7 But - as in Psa 2:6, literally, "and."
house - (1Ch 9:23), the tabernacle.
temple - literally, "palace," applied to God's residence, the Holy of Holies (1Sa 3:3; 2Sa 22:7); the inner part of the tabernacle.
toward - not in; the high priest alone was allowed to enter.
8 enemies - literally, "watchers" (Psa 27:11), hence special need of guidance.
in thy righteousness - an attribute implying faithfulness in promises as well as threatenings.
make thy way straight - that is, make the way of providence plain.
9 The wicked are not reliable because by nature they are full of wickedness, or literally, "wickednesses," of every kind (Rom 8:7).
sepulchre - a dwelling-place of corruption, emitting moral putridness.
flatter - or, "make smooth."
their tongue - speaks deceitfully.
10 Destroy - or, "condemn" them to destruction as guilty.
11 defendest - (compare Margin).
love thy name - Thy manifested perfections (Psa 9:10).
12 with favour - or, "acceptance," alluding to the favor shown to an acceptable offering and worshipper (Lev 7:18; Lev 19:7).
shield - (compare Psa 3:3).