“But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you. Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.” -Psalm 5:7–8
It is not because of his own righteousness, but because of the grace of God, “the abundance of his steadfast love,” that David can enter the Temple. David consecrates himself to God, first by “bowing down” toward the sanctuary of God. The language has a literal tone. That is, David prostrates himself, a display of public humility, “toward,” perhaps the threshold, of the tabernacle where the ark resides, the very presence of God. Next, David commits his way to the Lord’s leadership, knowing he is no match for his enemies. He doesn’t seek to accomplish his will in heaven; rather, he is committed to heavens’ will being done on earth. He seeks a straight path, a level path, God’s clear revelation and leadership.
So far we’ve seen an invocation, a confession, and now David’s consecration. In the words of John Calvin, “It becomes us, after his example, to do the same thing; so that distrusting ourselves when counsel fails us, and the malice and wickedness of our enemies prevail, we may betake ourselves speedily to God, in whose hands are the issues of death.”