Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

Psalm 5: LISTEN TO MY VOICE IN THE MORNING The Morning Prayer

This is a morning hymn of prayer as David went to the house of God. It’s freshness and lyricism en- dures two sections of darkness (4-6, 9 and 10) but ends with extreme joy and blessing from the Lord! It has 3 divisions:

I SHOW ME WHICH WAY TO TURN - The Essentials of Prayer- 1-8 Il THEIR MANY SINS - The Enemies of Prayer- 9,10 III YOUR SHIELD OF LOVE - The Elation of Prayer- 11,12

INTRODUCTION:

“ For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by the flute. ”

The choir director/chief musician is either Kenaniah, Asaph, Jeduthan or Heman, the four leaders of worship that the king established on Mount Zion in Jerusalem. “ So the Levites appointed Heman…Asaph…and Ethan (Jeduthan)… to direct the musicians…Kenaniah, the head Levite, was chosen as the choir leader because of his skill.”(1 Chronicles 15:17,22) They were to play joyful songs before God and the people. David is the author of this psalm and is the pioneer of combining prayer, wor- ship and praise together as evidenced by this beautiful poem. This is to be accompanied by the flute that is acknowledged as the happiest of instruments in the orchestral family. It is the most agile of instruments as trills can be easily played on most all notes. In lower tones it is breathy and warm, in higher registers it is penetrating 1 . Isaiah expresses perfectly the effect an inspired flute player can have upon the human heart: “ But the people of God will sing a song of joy, like the songs at the holy festivals. You will be filled with joy, as when a flutist leads a group of pil- grims to Jerusalem-the mountain of the Lord- to the Rock of Israel.”(Isa. 30:29) This psalm begins with a desperate prayer and ends with rejoicing praise. Prayer leads us through the dark corridors of our human weakness until we break through to the celebration of faith. This prayer has some important ingredients: • It is arresting prayer, it requests the audience of the Lord- “ O Lord, hear me as I pray; pay atten- tion to my groaning. Listen to my cry for help…”(1,2) • It is acknowledging prayer, it understands the authority of the king: “ …my king and my God…”(2) • It is exclusive prayer, it seeks only one source: “ …for I will never pray to anyone but you. ” • It is morning prayer, it is the first exercise of the redeemed heart: “ Listen to my voice in the morn- ing. Each morning I bring my requests to you…”(3) • It is expectant prayer, it knows an answer is on its way! “ I bring my requests to you and wait ex- pectantly.”(3) l SHOW ME WHICH WAY TO TURN - The Essentials of Prayer 1-8 Important Ingredients of Prayer- 1-3

7 Disqualifiers of Prayer- 4-6

David lets us know what will undermine the effectiveness of our prayer. This is a list of seven things to avoid.

1. Wickedness - “ O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness…”(4) 2. Sin - “ …you cannot tolerate the slightest sin.” (4) 3. Pride - “ Therefore, the proud will not be allowed to stand in your presence…”(5) 4. Evil - “ …for you hate all who do evil.”(5)

5. Liars - “ You will destroy those who tell lies.”(6) 6. Murderers - “ The Lord detests murderers…”(6) 7. Deceit - “ The Lord detests…deceivers.” (6)

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