Big Idea: God and evil are mutually incompatible, and on the human level, that is effectively demonstrated in the harmful results of evil perpetrated on others.

Understanding the Text

Psalm 5 is an individual lament (see “The Anatomy of Lament” in the introduction), issuing a complaint that the psalmist’s enemies cannot be trusted (not unusual for one’s enemies!) and affirming trust in the Lord.

So far we have seen a lineup of psalms (2–5) that deal with David’s enemies. His reign was one of war and conquest, and his enemies were never far from his mind. Evidently in Psalm 5 we have moved outside the context of Absalom’s rebellion, although a few interpreters still see hints of it in this psalm.

Like Psalm 3, this is a morning psalm set in the context of the morning service. Unlike Psa…