Wednesday: Psalm 5
Daily Lesson for Wednesday 21st of May 2025
Read Psalms 5:1-12. In this work, David draws sharp contrasts between those who are lost and those who have been redeemed. Compare this psalm with the language of Revelation 14:1-12. What similarities do you find, and how does this inform your understanding of what it means to be a part of God’s last-day remnant movement?
Image © Jim Howard at Goodsalt.com
It is instructive to note that David insists that evil “may not dwell” with God (Psalms 5:4, ESV). The point of the tabernacle was that God might dwell among His people, and the same will be true in the kingdom of Christ (see Revelation 21:3). Those who would approach the throne of God must be redeemed.
It is also noteworthy that David describes an act of worship in Psalms 5:7, which is the core issue at stake in the great controversy. Revelation 13:1-18 mentions “worship” five times, and the three angels’ messages call the world to “worship Him who made.” David tells us that he “fears” God, and the message of the remnant calls the world back to “ ‘fear God and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment has come’ ” (Revelation 14:7, NKJV).
Also notice how the redeemed of Revelation 14:1-20 are said to have “no deceit” (Revelation 14:5, NKJV) in their mouths; they are truth-tellers whose words and deeds reflect the righteous character of God. The wicked, according to David, have “no truth in their mouth” (Psalms 5:9, ESV).
It is an astonishing scene that John presents in this key part of Revelation: mere sinners have been pulled back from death and are privileged to stand in God’s presence. They did not earn this right; it is granted to them by the fact that the Lamb of God—the righteous Son of man—stands there with them. They are forgiven, redeemed; they no longer have to bear their own guilt (compare with Psalms 5:10), because the Lamb of God has borne it for them (compare with Isaiah 53:12 and 2 Corinthians 5:21).
Once God’s name is inscribed in your heart, it is hard to remain silent. God’s people deliver one final offer of mercy with a “loud voice” (Revelation 14:7). “But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love Your name be joyful in You” (Psalms 5:11, NKJV).
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Imagine standing before a holy and perfect God in judgment, with every deed you have ever done fully exposed before Him. What does this prospect tell you about your need of Christ’s righteousness? |
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Today we have a whole Psalm to consider. I was going to do my own analysis but in the lead up to writing this comment I read Eugene Peterson's rendition of Psalm 5. He has a knack for clarity and meaning in his paraphrase and I would like to share that with you. He says it better than me:
If I was to add anything to that it would be stating the obvious.
All prophecies are essentially and fundamentally centered on the story of human redemption. Likewise, Psalm 5 draws profound admonitions for those who are waiting for Jesus’s second coming. From this Psalm, I can deduce the following cautions:
1. Let every day of a believer start with prayer in the morning. We should cultivate a lifestyle of daily communion with God. We need to be spiritually vigilant (Psalm 5:3).
2. Christ is coming back for a holy people. God hates evil and through the power of the Holy Spirit, we should purify our hearts and walk in integrity (Psalms 5:4).
3. As believers we should approach God with reverence and humility. We have been saved by grace alone through faith in Jesus Christ. We must always remember that we are absolutely nothing had it been not the multitude of God’s mercies (Psalm 5:7).
4. In a world which is exceedingly becoming wicked and crooked, we must totally surrender to the leading of the Holy Spirit. The narrow path which we walk is extremely treacherous, it is only through the power of the Holy Spirit we are assured victory (Psalms 5:8).
5. Regardless of the pain and persecutions that we go through in this life, we ought to rejoice and have hope in the glorious appearing of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ (Psalms 5:11).
"Live as those who are eagerly expecting their Lord to return. Be holy, hopeful, prayerful, and unwavering — for the Lord blesses the righteous and surrounds them with favour as with a shield." (Psalm 5:12)
Thank you very much for your wise and encouraging words on today's lesson
The Bible in Psalm 90, where Moses is praying to God, and in verse 12 he says, So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom..” In other words…God, help us to live with an understanding and appreciation that our days are numbered…because if we can understand that our time is limited…that it is going to run out…then we will use it wisely…we won’t waste it because one day…there will be no more of it left…and as depressing as that might sound…when we understand that…when we number our days…it frees us up to live life more fully…it frees us up to live a life with much fewer regrets. As human beings, we all struggle with time. We are constantly working to fit more into our schedule, work more efficiently, and simply “save time.” At some point in our lives, we all struggle with the future – what’s going to happen, how things will turn out, how successful we will be. God wants us to trust him with all our details
It is encouraging to know that when I stand before God, ii is not my righteousness that will be seen(for all our righteousness are as filthy rags) but instead the righteousness of Jesus.
This gives me comfort and hope as I strive to live for Him from day to day!!!
check out Maranatha singers version of Psalm 5 in song:
Psalm 5 - Maranatha Singers
Anyone can stand before the throne of God in God's grace, founded on Jesus's sacrifice. Jesus is the offering God accepts; our part is to believe in Jesus and surrender ourselves to Him.
Good morning brothers and sisters.
I was truly blessed by this mornings comments.
They have given me, especially in the times we are living.Love and 🙏🙏❤️🙏
In Revelation, when God shows John the 144 thousand, He first tells John the 12 thousand from each Tribe of Israel. But John does not see them first, he just hears the number and numbers. Then John turns and sees "A Numberless Multitude," and God then tells John their "Flawless Characteristics," of this numberless multitude. I heard a sermon from one of our Seventh Day Adventist Pastors, that the number 12 multiplied by itself is a Jewish way of indicating "A Numberless Item." Therefore, the 144 Thousand and the "Numberless Multitude," are one and the same group.
Hi Pete,
Thanks for that reference re 12x12 or 12x12,000. I could not find any corroboration that that configuration of numbers symbolized "a numberless number" or "innumerable number." I did, however, find that in certain contexts, especially apocalyptic, it symbolizes completeness. And that makes sense to me.
I also believe that you are correct that the 144,000 and the "numberless number" is the same group of people. He hears the number of a group, and then he turns around and sees the group.