“Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. Give heed to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I will pray” (vv. 1-2). Psalm 5 opens at the threshold of the day—in that quiet moment before momentum takes over. David begins his morning by turning his attention heavenward, addressing the Lord as King and God—the One who reigns, listens, and governs all that lies ahead. Even his inarticulate thoughts—the half-formed sighs of the heart—are entrusted to divine care. Prayer here is neither ritual nor performance. It’s an act of placing the whole self—plans, fears, and uncertainties—into the hands of the One whose rule already encompasses the coming hours.
“For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, nor shall evil dwell with You” (v. 4). David confesses the moral clarity of God’s holiness. The Lord is neither apathetic to injustice nor impressed by bravado. Deceit and arrogance cannot endurance in His presence (vv. 5-6). Yet this holiness doesn’t drive the faithful into hiding; it becomes the very ground of our confidence. David continues, “But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy; in fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple” (v. 7). God’s justice and mercy are not rival qualities. They coexist within His character. The same holiness that judges falsehood provides shelter for those who rely on His lovingkindness. Worship, therefore, arises from reverence shaped by mercy, drawing the Christian into God’s presence rather than keeping them at a distance.
Psalm 5 offers a practical vision for how faith might shape the opening moments of ordinary life. David prays before the pressures of the day assert themselves—before demands multiply and voices compete for attention. This pattern remains deeply relevant. Morning prayer creates a space in which the heart is oriented before it’s distracted. It may take the form of a psalm read quietly over coffee, a brief prayer shared with children before school, or the words Luther placed in the Small Catechism to frame the beginning and ending of each day. Such prayers bring more than requests. They carry anxieties, temptations, and responsibilities into God’s care. It’s to pray: “Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way straight before my face” (v. 8). When the day ahead feels uncertain or adversarial, this prayer entrusts its path to divine guidance already at work.
“But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You” (v. 11). The psalm closes with a word that functions almost like a benediction spoken over the faithful. God surrounds His people “as with a shield” (v. 12b), encompassing them with favor and protection. It rests in Christ Himself, who rose in the early morning to secure victory over sin, death, and the devil. Through Him, prayer is never a solitary act. Our petitions are gathered up and carried by the One who intercedes for us at the right hand of the Father. Each day with morning prayer, then, begins anchored in joy, not because its outcomes are predictable, but because its future is held by the King who already reigns in triumph.
The Lutheran Column 