Psalm 5:1-12 Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.… This Psalm is a prayer. And while the subject matter is of great interest, the Psalm is peculiar in setting forth the characteristics of prayer in general.A suggestion of the VARIETY OF PRAYER (vers. 1, 2). Prayer is a provision for a universal need, and must therefore be capable of a large variety of adaptations. If a man is to pray without ceasing, he must pray under an endless variety of circumstances. That is prayer which is denoted by the word "meditation"; that which lies in the heart as unexpressed desire or aspiration; which indicates a state or habit of mind quite as much as an act. "Meditation," says Gurnall, "is prayer in bullion; prayer in the ore — soon melted and run into holy desires." The soul's unexpressed aspiration is often more truly prayer than the well-rounded formula. Distinguish between the spirit and the habit of prayer. The spirit can be the result only of the life of God in the soul; the habit of prayer may be the result of education merely. Another variety of prayer is suggested by the word "cry" — the passionate outburst of a soul in distress, or dejection, or danger; throwing out a prayer like a strongly-shot dart, which gives to such prayer the name of "ejaculatory." "These darts may be shot to heaven without using the tongue's bow." Such prayer as this links itself closely with meditation. Ver. 2 directs thought to THE APPROPRIATING POWER OF PRAYER. God is addressed as "my King," "my God." Our Lord's model of prayer strikes at all unselfishness in our petitions. But it does not exclude the personal element. Ver. 3 points out THE STATEDNESS AND DECENCY OF PRAYER. It is well that prayer should be spontaneous; but also well that it should be properly regulated. A rich soil is a good thing; but its richness is no reason why its fruits and grasses should be allowed to grow up in confusion. The suggestion of decency in the act of prayer is furnished by the Word "direct. The original word is used of arranging the wood and the sacrifice upon the altar day by day. Read, "I will pray, setting forth my supplication in order." In this there is nothing to repress spontaneity or to fetter liberty. It merely teaches that prayer should be decorous and well pondered and marked by an intelligent purpose. We should do well to cover less ground in our prayers, and to ponder their details more carefully. Ver. 3 gives another characteristic of prayer — EXPECTANCY. "I will watch, or look up." He who has thoughtfully and reverently set forth his prayer before God, should expect the answer. We are to watch unto prayer — with reference to prayer. Someone has pithily said that the man who does not look after the prayers he has put up, is like the ostrich, which lays her eggs and looks not for her young. Ver. 7 gives another characteristic — CONFIDENCE. The Psalmist speaks as one who has a right to come into God's house. It is his house because it is God's. This confidence by no means excludes humble reverence. It is of free grace, of undeserved compassion, of abounding love, that I am permitted to come. And such an approach to God must involve the last element of prayer suggested by the Psalm — JOY. On earth, the intercourse of love is often marred by danger; but he who talks with God in His own house, always communes in safety. Thus this Psalm is a great lesson on prayer. (Marvin R. Vincent, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: {To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm of David.} Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. |
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