Псалом 5

The inscription in the Slavic Bible (“about the inheritor”) indicates the content of the psalm: it speaks of the fate, inheritance, inheritance of the righteous and the wicked. From euros language - “the head of the choir; on wind instruments” - the inscription speaks of the method of musical performance of the psalm. The psalm was written during the preparations for Absalom's rebellion before David's flight from Jerusalem. This can be seen from David’s description of the unrest that was then occurring among the Jews: his enemies were going to commit “lawlessness” (Ps. 5:6), stirred up the people against David by spreading “lies” and “flattering” promises (Ps. 5:10), and a violent coup was being prepared, with the shedding of blood (Ps. 5:7). David went to the church and prayed before the Lord (Ps. 5:8), both about punishing the wrongdoers and about “correcting” his path before the Lord (Ps. 5:9). The entire content, therefore, points to the beginning of Absalom’s uprising, when David was not removed from the church, saw the connection between the beginning unrest and his crime, and saw the means that Absalom used to prepare the uprising. David prays to God to accept his prayer during the grave disasters that befell him (2–5), and to punish his wicked and bloodthirsty enemies (6–7). He asks God for constant guidance “in righteousness” and for the wicked to be judged for the sinful nature of their actions (8–11). The salvation of the unjustly persecuted David will fill all other righteous people with joy (12–13). “For the sake of my enemies,” so that by the death of David he would not allow his enemies to triumph and consider themselves right in all their evil actions (Ps. 5:9). “Level... the path” - give a peaceful and safe life. Ps.5:2. Hear, Lord, my words, understand my thoughts. Ps.5:3. Hear the voice of my cry, my King and my God! for I pray to You. “Hear... the words” - listen, accept my prayer: “understand my thoughts” - listen carefully, accept my thoughts, my mental prayer. David saw the success of the atrocity being prepared and the degree of his danger, which is why his prayer to God is distinguished by the character of not a simple petition, but a painful cry (“hearken to the voice of my cry”). Ps.5:4. God! early hear my voice, early I will appear before You and wait, “I will hear you early,” “I will appear before You early.” The expression “hear in the morning” (glory) therefore means - provide help as soon as possible. - “I will appear before You,” that is, I will appear before You, in the church, as a place of the direct presence of God. Ps.5:5. for You are a God who does not love iniquity; The evil one will not dwell with You; “The evil one will not dwell” - you will not patronize and protect the evil, the bad. The expression is taken from the custom of Eastern hospitality, when someone who came to the tent (to the “yard”) enjoyed the protection of the owner. Ps.5:6. The wicked will not abide in Your sight: You hate all the workers of iniquity. “They will not remain before your eyes” - you will not observe them, protect them. Ps.5:7. You will destroy those who tell lies; The Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and treacherous. “The Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and treacherous.” By this bloodthirsty we must mean Absalom, who, preparing to carry out a coup d'etat, did not neglect and was ready to resort to violent measures and the murder of his opponents. Absalom infiltrated the trust of the people with flattery and tried to win them over with promises of a cordial, fair and loving attitude towards him after receiving the royal throne, which is why he was called “the treacherous” by David. Ps.5:8. And I, according to the abundance of Your mercy, will enter Your house, I will worship Your holy church in Your fear. By “house, church” we must mean the tabernacle (see Ex. 23:19; 1 Sam. 1:9; 2 Sam. 12:20). Ps.5:9. Lord! guide me in Your righteousness, for the sake of my enemies; level your path before me. David’s prayer for instruction “righteousness from God” indicates his awareness of some kind of guilt before God; His crime with Bathsheba was the same guilt. In Absalom's uprising, he thus found a connection with his crime, which is why he did not accept any means to suppress the beginning of the unrest, except repentance and prayer before God, from Whom alone he expected mercy for himself. Ps.5:10. For there is no truth in their mouth: their heart is destruction, their throat is an open grave, they flatter with their tongue. “There is no truth in their mouths” - the enemies spread false information about David among the people (see 2 Samuel 15:2–6); “Their heart is destruction” - they do not strive for the true good of the people, but for petty and ambitious goals, for taking possession of the throne and for honor (2 Samuel 15:10); “Their throat is an open coffin,” by spreading lies they corrupt the people and destroy them, since they call the people to actions that are lawless and contrary to God, who will not allow untruth to triumph. Ps.5:11. Condemn them, O God, that they may fall from their plans; Because of the multitude of their wickedness, cast them away, for they have rebelled against You. “Judge them, O God, that they may fall from their plans” - condemn them, O Lord, so that they fall away from their thoughts, so that they cannot accomplish what they have planned. Ps.5:12. And all those who trust in You will rejoice, they will rejoice forever, and You will protect them; and those who love Your name will boast in You. Ps.5:13. For You bless the righteous, O Lord; You crown him with favor like a shield. The death of enemies is prayerfully requested by David not only to punish the wicked, but also to strengthen faith in the righteous, when the latter, seeing the death of all the enterprises of their enemies, will praise God as the only protector and patron. This psalm is part of 1 hour (part of Matins), which was the hour of sunrise in the east. After thanking the Lord for the past night (see Art. 4), with the words of this psalm, the church prays for the believers before God at the very beginning of the day to preserve them from danger, enemies and in spiritual purity. You might be interested in: