Daily Devotionals

Psalm 13:1–6

Psalm 8:3–8

As though David continues his worship service, he opens his mouth and shares a message from God, which is the major theme of this composition. We can imagine his standing before the people and preaching about the needs of humanity and the grace of God.

First, he considers the pitiful inadequacy of humanity. Read verses 3 and 4 slowly. Think them over and enter into the mental picture David has in mind.

Psalm 8:1–2

Having worshipped God in a short doxology, David reflects on the greatness of his God and, in doing so, offers praise. Observe as King David takes his place before a congregation of believers to lead them in worship.

[You] have displayed Your splendour above the heavens!
From the mouth of infants and nursing babes You have established strength
Because of Your adversaries,
To make the enemy and the revengeful cease. (Psalm 8:1–2)

Psalm 8:1–9

As I observe Psalm 8, three introductory observations leap off the page. First, it is a psalm of David, written under the Holy Spirit's direction. These are not merely the idle reflections of a creative artist. He was given this song as a gift from God to humanity. These are the words of God.

Psalm 8:1–9

All of us need to be needed. We want to be wanted. God created us with a desire to know we can contribute something valuable and to have a significant impact in the lives of others. In years past, great men and women longed to leave their marks on the world, to create a legacy that would continue after they had passed away.

Psalm 5:9–12

Psalm 5:7–8

Having reviewed the attributes of God, focusing on His sovereignty and goodness, David examines himself (vv. 7–8).

But as for me, by Your abundant lovingkindness I will enter Your house,
At Your holy temple I will bow in reverence for You.
O LORD, lead me in Your righteousness because of my foes;
Make Your way straight before me.

Psalm 5:4–11

After the plea in Psalm 5:1–3, David begins to think through the day that spreads out before him, giving extra consideration to those he would encounter. His song addresses four specific realms of interest (vv. 4–11).

    1. David meditates on the Lord Himself (vv. 4–6)
    2. David describes himself (vv. 7–8)
    3. David describes his enemies (vv. 9–10)
    4. David describes the righteous (v. 11)

Let's examine each realm of interest, beginning with the first: God Himself.

Psalm 5:1–3

Some psalms are difficult to outline; others easily lend themselves to an organized layout. Psalm 5 falls in the latter category. It begins with a plea (vv. 1–3) directed to the Lord, whom David addresses, “O LORD...my King...my God...O LORD.” It concludes with a promise (v. 12). Sandwiched between the plea and the promise are four descriptions. 

I observe three things in David's introductory plea.

First, it was a "morning" prayer. Twice in verse 3 David mentions that it was "in the morning" that he met with his Lord.

Psalm 5:1–12

Songs are usually born out of surrounding circumstances that so affect the thinking of the composer, he cannot help but burst forth with a melody and an accompanying set of lyrics describing his plight. This is certainly the case with the blues and jazz of yesteryear as well as the old spirituals of days gone by and the romantic love songs of any era. The same has often been true of gospel songs and sacred hymns; their historical settings explain their message.