“To the choirmaster: for the flutes. A Psalm of David.”
Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray. O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice; in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch.
For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. You destroy those who speak lies; the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.
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.
For there is no truth in their mouth; their inmost self is destruction; their throat is an open grave; they flatter with their tongue. Make them bear their guilt, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out, for they have rebelled against you.
But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield.”
-Psalm 5:title–12
Psalm 5 is a morning hymn intended to be sung to the playing of flutes. It is divided into five strophes: The first, or opening, strophe is a call for God to hear David’s earnest prayer (1-3). The second is a pronouncement and affirmation of God’s righteous hatred of evil (4-6). The third is a vow to serve and worship God alone by the help of his grace (7-8). The fourth is a prayer for the defeat and punishment of the wicked rebels (9-10). The fifth, and final strophe is a prayer for and confirmation of the blessing and protection of the righteous (11-12).
There is a pattern of prayer and worship in this Psalm that is most instructive to the modern church; and verily, it is worthy of our attention.