Psalms 5:8

8 Lead me, LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies— make your way straight before me.

Psalms 5:8 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
8 Lead me, O LORD, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; make thy way straight before my face.
English Standard Version (ESV)
8 Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.
New Living Translation (NLT)
8 Lead me in the right path, O LORD, or my enemies will conquer me. Make your way plain for me to follow.
The Message Bible (MSG)
8 Waiting for directions to get me safely through enemy lines.
American Standard Version (ASV)
8 Lead me, O Jehovah, in thy righteousness because of mine enemies; Make thy way straight before my face.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
8 O LORD, lead me in your righteousness because of those who spy on me. Make your way in front of me smooth.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
8 Lord, lead me in Your righteousness, because of my adversaries; make Your way straight before me.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
8 Lord, I have many enemies. Lead me in your right path. Make your way smooth and straight for me.

Psalms 5:8 Meaning and Commentary

Psalms 5:8

Lead me, O Lord, in thy righteousness
Not in mine, but thine; in the righteousness of God, which is revealed in the Gospel, from faith to faith, and is imputed by God, and received by faith; in this righteousness the psalmist desired to be led into the house of God, and appear before him; nor is there any other righteousness in which man can stand before God and worship. Or else the sense is, that God would lead him in the way of righteousness, in his righteous statutes, judgments, and ordinances; in which way the Lord does lead his people, ( Psalms 23:3 ) ( Proverbs 8:20 ) . Or that he would lead him for his righteousness' sake; because of his faithfulness to his promises, that he would direct, uphold, and never leave nor forsake him. David was very sensible that the way of man is not in himself, and that he could not direct his own steps; and therefore desired to be guided by the Lord, and to be led by the right hand of his righteousness, and to be upheld by it in his ways:

because of mine enemies;
or, "those that observe me" F12 that lie in wait and watch for my halting, as Jeremiah's enemies did; and would rejoice at my fall, and insult me, and blaspheme thy name; therefore lead, guide, and uphold me;

make thy way straight before my face;
thy way of providence, thy way of grace, thy way of worship and duty; let it appear plain and manifest, that I may know in which way I should walk; and let all obstructions be removed out of the way, that I may walk straight on, without any difficulty or hinderance. He seems to have respect to his enemies, who lay in his way, that God would remove them; see ( Psalms 5:9 Psalms 5:10 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F12 (yrrwv) "observatores meos", Junius & Tremellius, Cocceius, Michaelis; so Aben Ezra, Kimchi, Ben Melech, & Ainsworth.

Psalms 5:8 In-Context

6 you destroy those who tell lies. The bloodthirsty and deceitful you, LORD, detest.
7 But I, by your great love, can come into your house; in reverence I bow down toward your holy temple.
8 Lead me, LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies— make your way straight before me.
9 Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with malice. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongues they tell lies.
10 Declare them guilty, O God! Let their intrigues be their downfall. Banish them for their many sins, for they have rebelled against you.

Cross References 2

  • 1. Psalms 23:3; Psalms 31:1; Psalms 71:2; Psalms 85:13; Psalms 89:16; Proverbs 8:20
  • 2. S 1 Kings 8:36; John 1:23; Psalms 27:11
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