Scripture Reading: Psalm 5:1-6
Praying for Guidance (Psalm 5)
Intro.
1. God knows our mind when we pray, even when we have trouble expressing ourselves to Him (Rom. 8:26-28).
2. Jesus taught us to pray (Matt. 6:9-13).
3. David gives many examples of prayers in his psalms.
4. Psalm 5: David prayed for God’s ear to hear him and to guide him. He anchored his prayer in God’s holy, merciful, and righteous nature. He was confident that God blesses those who trust Him.
I. DAVID’S MORNING PRAYER, 5:1-3.
A. Be Dedicated to Prayer, 1 Thess. 5:17; Eph. 6:18.
1. David asks Jehovah (King and God) to hear Him (1-2).
2. David was sure God would hear him and consider his groanings and sighs (his concerns, doubts, fears) (3).
3. Our prayers are expressions of our faith in God, our hope toward God, and our love for God, cf. Psa. 25:1-3.
II. DAVID’S PRAYER OF WARNING TO THE WICKED, 5:4-6.
A. God does not Commune with Sinners (4); 1 Jno. 1:5. (light, holy)
1. David recognizes and respects God’s holiness as a reason He will hear and answer his prayers (4).
2. David recognizes and respects that God abhors sin and those who practice it (5-6); cf. Prov. 6:16-19.
3. We must separate ourselves from sin (repent) for our prayers to be received and answered, 1 Jno. 3:22 (5:14).
4. Then, we also pray for sinners (1 Tim. 2:1-2).
III. BEING IN GOD’S PRESENCE INVIGORATED DAVID’S PRAYERS, 5:7-8.
A. David’s Prayers where Strengthened through Worship.
1. Due to God’s mercy and holiness, Lk. 18:13; 15:21; 2 Cor. 1:3-4.
2. Reverence attended his prayers and worship (7).
3. Petition: “Lead me in Your righteousness because of my enemies” (8).
a. God’s way: Highway of holiness, Isa. 35:8 (2 Cor. 6:17-18).
b. Guided by God’s truth so Christ will not be discredited before the enemies of Christ, cf. Tit. 2:6-8; 1 Pet. 2:11-12.
c. Watch and pray, Matt. 26:41 (Jno. 8:31-32).
IV. THE WICKED ARE DENOUNCED IN DAVID’S PRAYER, 5:9-10.
A. Our Prayers Acknowledge Our Separation from those Who Practice Sin, cf. Psa. 139:21-22.
1. The unfaithful bring destruction upon themselves (9); Ezek. 18:4 (31-32).
2. David pleads God to pronounce His judgment upon the guilty and cast them out (unfaithfulness, deceit, rebellion).
3. While we pray sinners will repent, we also pray the Lord will bring righteous retribution against evildoers (10); cf. 2 Tim. 4:14-15.
V. DAVID ANTICIPATED GOD BLESSING THE RIGHTEOUS, 5:11-12.
A. Showers of Blessings for All Who Trust in God.
1. Joy in God’s salvation (11), Psa. 30:4-5.
2. Love God’s name (honor, character, power) (11).
a. Protection in His hand (11), Jno. 10:27-29; Rom. 8:35-39.
b. Surrounded by His shield (12), Eph. 6:10-11.
Conclusion
1. And so, we pray without ceasing:
a. To confess our sins (1 Jno. 1:9).
b. To praise God’s name (Eph. 1:3).
c. To petition for God’s favor (Eph. 1:15-17).
d. To solicit God’s help for ourselves and others (Eph. 6:18-19).
2. Prayer is strength for the weary, balm for those in pain, comfort for all who put their trust in the Lord. (Sweet hour of prayer!)
By: Joe R. Price
Posted October 15, 2020