Finding Yourself in the Psalms

Psalm 5

When We Need God to Hear Our Prayer

This Psalm is a REQUEST to the Lord. “Hear my prayer.”
I. We Begin by Asking. V. 1-3
A. Synonymous Parallelism. (The same thing is repeated in different words, the second line enforcing what is said in the first.) V. 1
B. Synthetic Parallelism. (The second line adds something to the first). V. 2
C. Morning Prayers.
1. Morning. Psalm 88:13; Psalm 119:47; 130:6; Mark 1:35
2. Evening. Psalm 22:2; Isaiah 26:9
3. Morning, Noon, Night. Psalm 55:17
D. The importance of starting well. The First hour of the day is the most important.
E. “When Morning Gilds the skies, my heart awaking cries, May Jesus Christ be praised. Alike at work and prayer, to Jesus I repair, May Jesus Christ be praised.”
II. God’s Hatred of Sin. v. 4-6
A. Psalm 101:7; Hab 1:13;
1. Heb 12:14 “Without holiness no one will see the Lord.”
2. Mat 5:48 “Be perfect as your heavenly Father is Perfect”
B. Much like Psalm 1, there is a contrast between the righteous and sinners.
III. The Worshiper’s Need for Guidance v. 7-10
A. Nothing wrong with prayers for self. Ought to be the first prayer after our adoration to God.
B. Nothing wrong with praying against those who are against God.
1. Psalm 31:6 “I hate those who cling to worthless idols”
2. Ephesians 5:11-1211Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose

them. 12For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.”

IV. The Worshipers Praise for God’s Protection. 11-12
A. There is confidence in God’s protection. We are CALLED
1. Jer 15:16 “Thy words were found and I did eat them , and thy word became unto me the joy and rejoicing of my heart, for I am called by Thy Name, O Lord my strength and my redeemer.”
2. James 1:12; 2:5
3. Isa 43:4
V. STRUCTURE (Scrogie)
(A) The devout soul, 1-3 (singular) (B) The wicked, 4-6
(C) Personal, 7 (C) Personal, 8
(B) The wicked, 9-10
(A) The devout soul, 11-12 (plural)