Psalm 5 Study Notes

5:6-7 The combination of house and temple has led many to assume that this psalm must have been written by someone other than David since Solomon’s temple was built after David’s time. However, the Hebrew word for “temple” is not only used for Solomon’s temple, but also for the temporary temple at Shiloh (1Sm 1:9; 3:3), which existed in David’s day. God’s house is the place where God dwelt among his people (Ps 26:8).

5:8 The connection between the plea for God’s guidance and the adversaries is that the situation (i.e., attacks by enemies) calls for not only protection and rescue but also guidance in the midst of the crisis. It is also an affirmation of the intent to remain loyal to the Lord even during the time of danger.

5:9-10 Throat and tongues are metaphors for speech. Since there is nothing reliable in what they say, all of the enemies’ speech is deadly, pictured here as an open grave. A similar use of this word picture appears in Jr 5:16 where “their quiver is like an open grave,” meaning their weapons bring death. Since the enemies here were intent on death and destruction, the psalmist asked that God let their own schemes bring about their destruction (64:8; 2Sm 15:31).

5:11-12 The emphasis in these verses is on God’s protection of those who remain faithful to him. The terms take refuge in . . . shelter . . . surround, and shield convey this thought. In this context, all these words evoke military ideas. Those who trust the Lord often take refuge from their enemies in him (17:7). The word for “shelter” can describe protective gear for battle (140:7). “Surround” is used to describe enemies preparing to attack (1Sm 23:26). And this word for “shield” describes a large piece of flattened metal that was placed in front of a soldier to protect his entire body; they were sometimes called “large shields” (1Kg 10:16).