Psalms 5

I wonder what kind of wrongs David is speaking of concerning his enemies in the fifth psalm.  Specifically, he mentions at least two things:  arrogance and deceitfulness, but he also says, “You hate all who do wrong.”  It makes me ask what it was that separated the righteous from the unrighteous; namely David, from his enemies.  In David’s eyes, what ultimately caused him to fall into God’s favour, even though he had and would continue to do wrong?

I enjoy the juxtaposition of the verses concerning righteousness with those concerning unrighteousness in this psalm.  It lends itself to a greater understanding of what it looks like to be a follower of God.  David first identifies what God is like in his lament.  God is his king and his God.  David is expressing that the Lord is worthy of worship; that the Lord has authority over David’s life.

Further along, David shows faith, coupled with the reason for that faith: Being a devoted follower of God is better than being a wicked person who ignores God’s laws.  They will be subject to the Lord’s judgment.

David always keeps the focus on God for his salvation, rather than himself, “But I, by your great love, can come into your house; in reverence I bow down toward your holy temple.”

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