July 27, 2016 (Wednesday)
Psalm 5, like Psalm 3, is about morning prayer. We do not know when David wrote this psalm, but we can see by its content that it was written under similar circumstances. Based on its content, we can consider Psalm 5 a call to prayer.
In response to the call of God through this psalm, let us pray.
Let us pray to our Prayer-hearing God (vv 1-3)
Let us pray to our Righteous God (vv 4-6)
Let us pray to our Loving God (vv 7-8)
Let us pray to our Just God (vv 9-10)
Let us pray to our Caring God (vv 11-12)
For the director of music. For pipes. A psalm of David.
1 Listen to my words, Lord, consider my lament.
2 Hear my cry for help, my King and my God,
for to you I pray.
3 In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice;
in the morning I lay my requests before you
and wait expectantly.
4 For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness;
with you, evil people are not welcome.
5 The arrogant cannot stand in your presence.
You hate all who do wrong;
6 you destroy those who tell lies.
The bloodthirsty and deceitful you, Lord, detest.
7 But I, by your great love, can come into your house;
in reverence I bow down toward your holy temple.
8 Lead me, Lord, in your righteousness
because of my enemies–
make your way straight before me.
9 Not a word from their mouth can be trusted;
their heart is filled with malice. Their throat is an open grave;
with their tongues they tell lies.
10 Declare them guilty, O God! Let their intrigues be their downfall.
Banish them for their many sins,
for they have rebelled against you.
11 But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
12 Surely, Lord, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favor as with a shield.
Our nation observed its bi-centennial anniversary in 1976, and as part of the celebration, the choir of First Baptist Church, Rockport, Texas, presented a patriotic musical entitled, “I Love America,” by John W. Peterson. The title of one of the songs in the musical was, “It’s Time to Pray.” Here is the first stanza of that song:
It’s time to pray
To the God who watches o’er us
It’s time to seek
His help without delay
The world is dark
For the clouds of war still threaten
It’s time for all America to pray.