Psalm 5—Consider our Groaning with Favor

“Give ear to my words, O Lord; consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray.” Psalm 5:1-2

In John 10:27 Jesus says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.” We know his voice if we are faithfully following. We are trained in the sounds of his voice and the habits of his ways.

But he also knows our voice, and he hears the sound of our cry. He gives attention, he gives ear to our words. That’s an astonishing realization! We always seek to listen to him. But he invites us to cry out to him. He listens and hears us. Our groaning. Our cry. Our prayer.

“We can be assured that the Lord will hear our groaning when our burdens are great.” Jerry Rankin, In the Secret Place: A Pilgrimage Through the Psalms

I know at times in grief, I couldn’t even put words to my thoughts or feelings. I could only groan. He gives ear to our words, but he also considers our groaning.

“The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers.” Psalm 5:5

Zephaniah 2:3 reminds us, “Seek the Lord, all you humble of the land, who do his just commands; seek righteousness; seek humility…” We are to approach him with humility and reverence. James, the brother of Jesus, states in James 4:6, “But he gives more grace. Therefore it says, ‘God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.’” God is against arrogant evildoers. Don’t be one of them. Embrace humility.

“But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you. Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.” Psalm 5:7-8

God has an abundance of steadfast love. Bank on it. Believe it. Walk in it. His abundant and steadfast love will see us—through any and all distresses—to our home with him. Walk by faith and not by sight.

We bow down in reverent fear and awe. In respect. We walk in a fallen and broken world. We ask God to lead us and guide us through life for his sake and in his righteousness. We plead that he would make our paths straight. This is never more apparent than when walking through the shadow of death or during great trials. Dark clouds surround us. We need his light to make our paths straight.

“But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O Lord; you cover him with favor as with a shield.” Psalm 5:11-12

When we take refuge in him, we can rejoice. We can sing for joy. We love and exult in his name and he spreads an eternal protection over us. He covers us with favor. Favor is a shield of protection covering us. As we saw just a few psalms ago he is the lifter of our heads, and he is a shield about us.

“But you, O Lord, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” Psalm 3:3