Psalms

Psalms 5: Mercy before the holy God

Begin in prayer

Before we lay our requests before the holy God, let us consider the mercy by which David came near. Ask the Lord to expose our deceit and bring us to trust Jesus.

But as for me, I will look to Yahweh. I will wait for the God of my salvation. My God will hear me.

Micah 7:7

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that God's holiness requires judgment and mercy lets sinners draw near. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David begins the morning by laying his requests before his King and his God. He knows that the LORD takes no pleasure in evil and will destroy those who speak lies. Yet David comes to God's house through the abundance of His loving kindness. Surrounded by deceitful enemies, he asks God to lead him in righteousness and hold the rebels guilty. The prayer ends with joy for those who take refuge in God, whose favour surrounds the righteous like a shield.

As you read Psalms 5, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The holy LORD judges evil and welcomes His people through His abundant mercy.

David calls the LORD his King, so even Israel's king comes as a dependent worshipper. His morning prayer continues into expectant watching for God's answer. God's holiness makes the need for mercy urgent, because evil cannot live with Him. The warning includes God's hatred of workers of iniquity and His destruction of liars. David enters God's house because of abundant loving kindness, never because sin has become harmless. He asks for a straight way because deceitful enemies threaten his steps. Their rebellion is against God, so he asks the Judge to declare them guilty. Those taking refuge in the LORD may rejoice under His favour, pictured as a shield surrounding them.

How does Psalm 5 show us that the holy LORD judges evil and welcomes His people through His abundant mercy?

The holy LORD will judge evil.

God takes no pleasure in wickedness, and the arrogant cannot stand before Him. His hatred of workers of iniquity reaches the liars and violent deceivers David names. We must take that warning seriously when we examine our own words and deeds.

David comes to God's house through mercy.

After naming God's holiness, David explains how he can enter His house. He comes through the abundance of God's loving kindness and bows in reverence. Mercy gives him confidence to approach without making him careless about sin.

God gives refuge and joy to those who trust Him.

David asks God to stop rebellious plans and lead him on a straight way. He leaves the verdict with the Judge and asks protection for those who love God's name. Their joy rests in the Lord's defence and favour.

Memorise

For you will bless the righteous. Yahweh, you will surround him with favor as with a shield.

Psalm 5:12

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what deceit do I need to confess to Jesus?

David says, “in the abundance of your loving kindness I will come into your house.” Mercy is his reason for coming. He bows before the God who hates wickedness and destroys those who speak lies.

We have told lies and sinned against this holy God. At Calvary Jesus bore the punishment for His people and died to secure their pardon. God raised Him from the dead. The saving task is complete, with everything needed to bring guilty people near to God.

Turn from deceit and put your trust in Jesus. God grants forgiveness through His Son to every sinner who seeks refuge in Him. Bring your requests to the Lord and watch expectantly. The refuge He gives is holy mercy, strong enough to shelter sinners and change their way.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God's holiness requires judgment and mercy lets sinners draw near. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His holiness and abundant mercy. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Whatever you will ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

John 14:13

Holy Lord, You see the truth of every heart. Please expose our lies and bring us to seek forgiveness through Jesus. Thank You for the mercy by which sinners may draw near. Lead us in righteousness this week, and guard our words when we are tempted to deceive. Amen.