Salmos 5
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
Salmos 5:1-3
5:1-2 This prayer begins with three IMPERATIVES. give ear to my words – BDB 24; KB 27, Hiphil IMPERATIVE consider my groanings – BDB 106, KB 122, Qal IMPERATIVE ("groaning," BDB 211, only here and Ps. 39:3, "musing") heed the sound of my cry – BDB 904, KB 1151, Hiphil IMPERATIVE These do not represent a fear on the psalmist's part that God will not hear, but Hebrew parallelism. 5:1 "O Lord" Notice the parallelism of titles. O Lord (YHWH, cf. Exod. 3:14) my King (the terminology comes from 1 Sam. 8:7, cf. Ps. 84:3, the rabbis later call YHWH "the King of the universe") my God (see note below) For #3 there are several forms of the term "God/god." A good example is Deuteronomy 32. Deut. 32:3,15 – (Eloah, BDB 42-43, cf. Ps. 5:2) Deut. 32:5:4,18,21 – (El, BDB 41-42, cf. Ps. 5:4) Deut. 32:5:17 – (Elohim, BDB 43-44, cf. Ps. 5:10) All are based on El, which denotes power and strength. It is the general name for deity in the ANE. In poetry all are used interchangeably. SPECIAL TOPIC: NAMES FOR DEITY, A., B., C. 5:3 This Psalm denotes a morning prayer. For post-exilic Jews there were several set times a day when prayers were offered. at the time of the morning sacrifice, about 9 a.m. (possibly alluded to in Ps. 46:5b) at noon at the time of the evening sacrifice, about 3 p.m. This faithful follower structured his day around times with God. He believed God heard and would respons (i.e., eagerly watch," Ps. 5:3b, BDB 859 I, KB 1044, Piel IMPERFECT. The daily sacrifices in the tabernacle (cf. Exod. 29:38-42), and later temple, occurred every morning and evening. They were called "The Continual." These were special times to draw near to YHWH. ▣ "I will order" "I will direct" "I will plead" "I will offer" "I will lay" "I will present" "I will prepare myself" This VERB (BDB 789, KB 884, Qal IMPERFECT) has a wide semantic field but basically means "to arrange something." Here it could be (1) words or (2) sacrifice. ▣ "eagerly watch" This VERB (BDB 859, KB 1044, Piel IMPERFECT) denotes expectant waiting for something, here for YHWH to respond to the psalmist's prayer (cf. Lam. 4:17; Micah 7:7; Hab. 2:1).
Salmos 5:4-7
5:4-6 The psalmist describes God (El, לא, see note at Ps. 5:1). not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness no evil dwells (permanent abode) with You (I think James 1:17 is a theological parallel) the boastful will not stand before Your eyes (cf. Ps. 1:5) You hate all who do iniquity You destroy those who speak falsehood You abhor the man of bloodshed and deceit 5:5 "You hate" This is shocking to us—that YHWH, the Creator, the desirer of fellowship with all humans, "hates" (BDB 971, KB 1338, Qal PERFECT). The Bible uses human terms to describe deity. This always causes tensions. See SPECIAL TOPIC: GOD DESCRIBED AS HUMAN (anthropomorphism). His love for those "made in His image" (cf. Gen. 1:26-27) causes the opposite reaction when they treat each other in destructive ways! 5:7 In contrast to the faithless follower, the psalmist knows that because of YHWH's "abundant lovingkindness" (cf. Ps. 6:4b), he will worship Him in the tabernacle/temple in reverence. The term "lovingkindness" is the NASB's way of translating the powerful covenant term hesed (BDB 338). SPECIAL TOPIC: LOVINGKINDNESS (HESED) ▣ "temple" There was no temple in David's day! But the same term (BDB 228) is used in 1 Sam.1:9 and 3:3 for the tabernacle. This Hebrew term was used of YHWH's house (i.e., where He dwelt).
Salmos 5:8-10
5:8 This is the content of the psalmist's prayer mentioned in Ps. 5:1-2. lead (Qal IMPERATIVE) me in Your righteousness (see SPECIAL TOPIC: RIGHTEOUSNESS) make Your way straight/smooth (Kethib has Hiphil, while Qere has Piel IMPERATIVE, cf. NET Bible, p. 854, #4) before me (the terms "righteous" and "straight" are related theologically) 5:9 The psalmist is concerned about the words and deeds of his foes ("enemies," Ps. 5:8, BDB 1004). there is nothing reliable/true in what they say their inward parts are destruction itself their throat is an open grave they flatter/smooth tongue (cf. Ps. 12:2) Paul quotes this verse in his litany of OT texts which reflect the fallen nature of mankind in Rom. 3:10-18. 5:10 The psalmist asks God to act against the enemies because of their words and deeds. hold them guilty – BDB 79, KB 95, Hiphil IMPERATIVE (the opposite of justification) by their own devices let them fall – BDB 656, KB 709, Qal IMPERFECT used in a JUSSIVE sense in the multitude of their transgressions thrust them out – BDB 623, KB 673, Hiphil IMPERATIVE (i.e., from YHWH's personal presence at worship, Ps. 5:7 or at trial, Ps. 5:5) for they are rebellious against You – BDB 598, KB 632, Qal PERFECT Notice the different words the psalmist uses to describe his enemies. wicked, Ps. 5:4 boastful, Ps. 5:5 doers of iniquity, Ps. 5:5 speak falsehood, Ps. 5:6 men of bloodshed, Ps. 5:6 men of deceit, Ps. 5:6 foes (i.e., those who lie in wait), Ps. 5:8 nothing reliable, Ps. 5:9 attitude of destruction, Ps. 5:9 liar, Ps. 5:9 transgressor, Ps. 5:10 rebellious, Ps. 5:10
Salmos 5:11-12
5:11-12 In contrast to the wicked enemy, the psalmist now describes the faithful followers (i.e., PLURALS, the prayer and experience of one became the description of all). they take refuge in YHWH (see SPECIAL TOPIC: REFUGE) they rejoice in YHWH they take shelter in Him (I think this refers to female bird imagery, cf. Ruth 2:12; Ps. 17:8; 36:7; 57:1; 61:4; 63:7; 91:1,4; see SPECIAL TOPIC: SHADOW AS METAPHOR FOR PROTECTION AND CARE) they love and exult in His name (see SPECIAL TOPIC: "THE NAME" OF YHWH) In light of this, YHWH shelters them blesses them surrounds them as a shield (cf. 1 Sam. 23:26) One can tell the difference between a faithful follower and a faithless follower by their fruit (cf. Matt. 7:15-22)!