Job 5
Psalm 5 is a psalm of David, a song of pleading and trust that he offers to God in the morning. Overall, the psalm’s structure can be divided into a request for prayer (verses 1–3), a contrast between the wicked and the righteous (verses 4–7), and pleading and assurance (verses 8–12).
- Request for prayer (verses 1–3): The psalmist pleads that his words and meditation on his heart may be heard by God, showing an attitude of praying each morning and waiting for an answer.
- A contrast between the wicked and the righteous (verses 4–7): He sings that God does not delight in evil and will not accept the proud and deceitful. Meanwhile, the psalmist goes to the temple, relying on God’s great love.
- Pleading and assurance (verses 8–12): The psalmist asks God to guide his path, lists the characteristics of the wicked, and ultimately declares that joy and protection are promised to those who rely on God.
1verse“Call now; is there any who will answer you? To which of the holy ones will you turn?
2verseFor resentment kills the foolish man, and jealousy kills the simple.
3verseI have seen the foolish taking root, but suddenly I cursed his habitation.
4verseHis children are far from safety. They are crushed in the gate. Neither is there any to deliver them,
5versewhose harvest the hungry eat up, and take it even out of the thorns. The snare gapes for their substance.
6verseFor affliction doesn’t come out of the dust, neither does trouble spring out of the ground;
7versebut man is born to trouble, as the sparks fly upward.
8verse“But as for me, I would seek God. I would commit my cause to God,
9versewho does great things that can’t be fathomed, marvelous things without number;
10versewho gives rain on the earth, and sends waters on the fields;
11verseso that he sets up on high those who are low, those who mourn are exalted to safety.
12verseHe frustrates the plans of the crafty, so that their hands can’t perform their enterprise.
13verseHe takes the wise in their own craftiness; the counsel of the cunning is carried headlong.
14verseThey meet with darkness in the day time, and grope at noonday as in the night.
15verseBut he saves from the sword of their mouth, even the needy from the hand of the mighty.
16verseSo the poor has hope, and injustice shuts her mouth.
17verse“Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects. Therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty.
18verseFor he wounds and binds up. He injures and his hands make whole.
19verseHe will deliver you in six troubles; yes, in seven no evil will touch you.
20verseIn famine he will redeem you from death; in war, from the power of the sword.
21verseYou will be hidden from the scourge of the tongue, neither will you be afraid of destruction when it comes.
22verseYou will laugh at destruction and famine, neither will you be afraid of the animals of the earth.
23verseFor you will be allied with the stones of the field. The animals of the field will be at peace with you.
24verseYou will know that your tent is in peace. You will visit your fold, and will miss nothing.
25verseYou will know also that your offspring will be great, your offspring as the grass of the earth.
26verseYou will come to your grave in a full age, like a shock of grain comes in its season.
27verseBehold, we have researched it. It is so. Hear it, and know it for your good.”
The Overall Meaning of the Passage
This psalm shows the psalmist’s attitude of placing his hope in God alone amid suffering and threats . David confesses the wickedness and limitations of people within the difficulties he faces, yet he seeks a way within God’s justice and mercy. As emphasized in prayers offered in the morning, it highlights how he gains strength through a close encounter with God. The psalm conveys the message that God hates evil, but gives protection and joy to those who rely on His love.
Meditation Points
- How deeply have my honest prayers and confessions to God taken root in my daily life?
- How do I reveal the evil of the world and my own weakness before God?
- What is my attitude toward trusting and waiting for God’s guidance and protection?
Try Applying It to Yourself
- In your everyday life, think about practicing how you can start each morning by entrusting your life to God through prayer.
- When you stand facing difficulties and temptation, pray so that you can remember God’s justice and love and make righteous choices.
- Just like David, decide to live each day with gratitude and joy, by aspiring to hope in God’s presence.
As part of Coupang Partners activities, this post may earn a commission from qualifying purchases.
