Wisdom Books Psalms

Praying in the Morning

Discover Jesus as: King of Glory Psalms 4-6 Read on Bible Gateway (HCSB)

Day 395 of 730
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Teaching Notes

INTRO

Today, in our second lesson in Psalms, we’re in Psalms 4—6. Our phrase for Psalms is King of Glory. Today, we’re looking at a psalm of lament, so emotions will be all over the place. MacArthur identifies two elements in the lament psalm: “(1) declarations of innocence and (2) confidence and prayers for protection.”1 David’s prayer was for God to help him while defeating his enemies.

The exact situation David was facing is not known, but it is possible that the psalm was written before David fled from Jerusalem. In that time, David turned to his Lord in prayer. Wiersbe points out that “no amount of danger or discomfort should keep us from our time of morning fellowship with the Lord.”2 Notice in the title of the psalm it gives directions for the choir director to use flutes as accompaniment.

TEACHING

Psalms 5:1–3: David asks God to listen to his words, his sighing, and his cries (vv. 1–2). MacArthur points out, “David may have been the anointed theocratic king on earth, but he fully understood that the ultimate King of all Israel and of the whole earth is God.”3 Verse 3 is a theme verse for prayer: At daybreak, Lord, You hear my voice; at daybreak I plead my case to You and watch expectantly.” Some refer to this as a morning psalm that shows we should create a “habit that helps a person to dedicate all the activities of the day to the glory of God.”4 David had an appointment with God every morning. He guarded that time against all interruptions, and he approached the time of prayer both orderly and systematically. The word translated “direct” in verse 3 (NKJV) was used to describe the placing of the pieces of the animal sacrifices in order on the altar (Leviticus 1:8). It also described the arranging of the wood on an altar (Genesis 22:9), the placing of the loaves of bread on the table in the tabernacle (Leviticus 24:8), and the setting of a meal before guests (Psalm 23:5). David wasn’t careless in his praying; he had everything arranged in order. The same word also has a military connotation: a soldier presenting himself to his commander to receive orders5 (Psalm 55:18; 59:17). David was very specific in his prayers and I believe we should use his approach of being orderly, systematic, and specific, and then wait expectantly for God’s answer. The more we model the power of prayer the more God receives the glory.

Psalm 5:4–6: David sought the Lord in prayer. He focused on God’s goodness that could not stand evil and hated evildoers (vv. 4–5). David was building a case of what he wanted God to do. The word “boastful” was also used to “describe the praise of God.”6 When praising self, the boast becomes “a twisted, human perversion of true praise.”7 Wiersbe states that we please God when we fear Him (Psalm 147:11), when we praise Him sincerely (Psalm 69:31), when we have faith (Hebrews 11:6), and when we identify with His Son in whom He is well pleased (Matthew 3:17).8

Psalm 5:7–12:David states he entered God’s house—the temple—so he could bow down before God in awe and reverence (v. 7). David asks God to lead him—to keep him in the path of the Lord (v. 8). Psalm 119:1-5 gives an example of walking uprightly before God. In verse 9, David then asks for justice against his enemies whose speech was untrustworthy, whose actions were destructive, and who were deceitful9 (Romans 3:10–18). David asks God to crush them because they rebelled against God (v. 10). MacArthur states, “The psalmist prays for the just ends of the wicked according to God’s revealed standard of justice.”10 These enemies had rebelled against the Lord and against the Anointed One and had become enemies of the Jews, God’s chosen people who had been promised His protection.

David asks that God let those who find refuge in Him rejoice forever and be able to boast about the Lord (v. 11). Finally, David states that the Lord blesses the righteous one and surrounds the righteous one with favor like a shield (v. 12).

CLOSING

If I had one more lesson, I would say don’t miss Psalm 5:12–“For You, Lord, bless the righteous one; You surround him with favor like a shield.” It ultimately points to Him, the righteous one, Jesus.

  1. John MacArthur, John MacArthur Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2005), p. 600.

  2. Warren W. Wiersbe, The Bible Exposition Commentary: Old Testament (Colorado Springs: David C. Cook, 2004), p. 96.

  3. MacArthur, p. 601.

  4. Earl Radmacher, Ronald B. Allen, and H. Wayne House, eds., Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999), p. 651.

  5. Wiersbe, p. 96.

  6. Nelson’s Commentary, p. 651.

  7. Nelson’s Commentary, p. 651.

  8. Wiersbe, p. 97.

  9. Thomas Constable, Dr. Constable’s Expository Bible Study Notes: Psalms, p. 49; available at https://planobiblechapel.org/tcon/notes/pdf/psalms.pdf.

  10. MacArthur, p. 601.

Questions

  1. What might the sacrifices of righteousness mentioned in Psalm 4:5 look like? (Psalm 51:17; 141:2; Micah 6:8; Romans 6:13; 12:1; Hebrews 13:15-16)
  2. Read Psalm 4:6; John 1:9; and 8:12. How did David point to the Messiah? Or did he?
  3. Contrast David’s statement in Psalm 5:4 with the serpent’s words about God in Genesis 3:4-5. Why must our understanding of God be David’s view?
  4. Have you ever felt this kind of grief and turmoil that is expressed in Psalm 6? How does reading these words encourage you and give you hope?
  5. In Psalm 6:9, David made a confident statement. Why do you think he was so sure God heard and received his prayer? Where else do we see this kind of assurance (John 11:41-42)? Do you have this same confidence?
  6. What did the Holy Spirit highlight to you in Psalms 4—6 through the reading or the teaching?

Next: the Daily Word →

Daily Word

Laura Martin Psalm 5:3

“At daybreak, LORD, You hear my voice; at daybreak I plead my case to You and watch expectantly.”

What do you do first when you wake up in the morning? Check your phone? Go make coffee? Care for young kids who need your attention? Today, begin with prayer. While the coffee brews, before you click on the Facebook app, open Instagram, check your email, or even in the midst of watching morning cartoons with your little ones, pause and pray. Call upon the name of the Lord. Allow Him to hear your voice as you begin your day. Think of a few of His attributes you are grateful for and give Him praise. Share with Him what’s on your heart for the day and ask Him to help you.

He hears your prayers, and He promises to answer when you call upon His name. And because you know He hears you, expect Him to answer. He may answer with a no, a yes, or a not right now, but He will answer, making your paths straight and giving you understanding along the way. Remember, wake up and pray with expectation!

“At daybreak, Lord, You hear my voice; at daybreak I plead my case to You and watch expectantly.”

— Psalm 5:3

FURTHER SCRIPTURE

  • Psalm 6:9 — “The Lord has heard my plea for help; the Lord accepts my prayer.”
  • Jeremiah 29:12 — “You will call to Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you.”
  • 1 John 5:14 — “Now this is the confidence we have before Him: Whenever we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.”