Psalm 5: The Righteous Rejoice!

​1  Give ear to my words, O Lord;
consider my groaning.
2     Give attention to the sound of my cry,
my King and my God,
for to you do I pray.
3     O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice;
in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.
4     For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;
evil may not dwell with you.
5     The boastful shall not stand before your eyes;
you hate all evildoers.
6     You destroy those who speak lies;
the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
7     But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love,
will enter your house.
       I will bow down toward your holy temple
in the fear of you.
8     Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness
because of my enemies;
make your way straight before me.
9     For there is no truth in their mouth;
their inmost self is destruction;
       their throat is an open grave;
they flatter with their tongue.
10    Make them bear their guilt, O God;
let them fall by their own counsels;
       because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out,
for they have rebelled against you.
11    But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them ever sing for joy,
       and spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may exult in you.
12    For you bless the righteous, O Lord;
you cover him with favor as with a shield.
 
Meditation
Our faith is fortified when our focus is on God’s faithfulness. Christians rejoice knowing God’s steadfast love is our refuge, He leads us in righteousness, and He hears our prayers. Jesus is the fullness of God’s faithfulness. Our hearts rejoice when we trust His righteous refuge.
 
This Psalm of faith offers concrete confidence in God’s covenant care. The God of the universe hears the voice of His people, giving attention to our prayers and considering our groanings by giving ear to our words (1-3). Through God’s steadfast love we enter the refuge of His presence (7) and are led in His righteous ways (8).
 
The result of the righteous seeking refuge in the Lord is rejoicing, all who seek safety in the steadfast love of the Lord will sing for joy. God spreads His protection over those whose trust is in Him, so those who know and love His name may exult in His provision (11). The Lord blesses the righteous, covering them with favor as a shield (12).
 
Jesus is the fullness of God’s faithfulness and the manifestation of God’s steadfast love. Jesus is the God of the universe who ensures real relationship guaranteed for personal prayer, practical refuge, and graceful guidance in God’s righteous ways. Jesus covers believers with God’s covenant favor and His provision pulls praise from the hearts of all who trust in Him.
 
 
Jesus makes His righteousness our refuge and His steadfast love makes us sing! In Christ, the righteous rejoice when we realize the security we have in His steadfast love.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What parts of today’s reading, especially verses 1-3, 7-8, and 11-12 fuel and fortify your faith?
 
-Where does your heart seek refuge other than Jesus? Does that lead to sustainable rejoicing?
 
-How does the steadfast love of God, revealed in the person and work of Jesus, deepen the security you have in His righteous covering and lead your heart to rejoice?
 
Key Verse
            11          But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you.