Weekly Reading: Psalm 5

 

But let all who take refuge in You be glad, let them ever sing for joy;…For it is You who blesses the righteous man, O LORD, You surround him with favor as with a shield.  - Psalm 5:11a, 12

 

This Psalm was to be celebrated in community worship with flute accompaniment. It is a Psalm of lament, mixed with prayer and confidence. We know that David had enemies. We can verify this in the Books of the Chronicles and the Kings. David recognized that his reign as King of Israel was limited at best. His King was God!

 

David spoke often to God about the evil people who were bent toward destroying God and the Name of God! He did not mix words in his requests:  “Hold them guilty” (v. 10a); “Their inward part is destruction” (v. 9b); “There is nothing reliable in what they say” (v. 9a).

 

Do these statements ring true today of some people? David stated: “In the multitude of their transgressions thrust them out, for they are rebellious against You.” (v. 10b).

 

David prayed for the “just end of the wicked” according to God’s revealed standard of justice (Deuteronomy 25:1): Interesting prayer request. We are to hold fast to God’s pathway, trusting Him to do His justice on the wicked. We need to be like David, holding fast to righteousness and trusting God to surround us with favor.

 

May it be so with each of us today.

Sandra Davis,

Director of Women in Discipleship