Charles Ellicott Commentary Psalms 5

Meditation. —From a root cognate with the word translated meditate in Psalm 1:2, with primary sense of mutter or murmur. Here “whispered prayer,” in contrast to words in the first clause, and to voice of my cry in the next. It echoes clause 1: while unto thee will I pray corresponds to meditation.

The daily morning sacrifice sees the Psalmist in the Temple. The word “direct,” or, better, prepare, is the same word used in Leviticus 1:8, Leviticus 1:12, and Leviticus 6:12, concerning the priest laying out the wood for the sacrifice, or the parts of the offering itself, and suggests that the author may himself have been a priest. The word “offering” should be supplied, instead of “prayer.” Henry Vaughan’s fine hymn—

“When first your eyes unveil, give your soul leave
To do the like”—

was probably suggested by this verse.

Look up. —The Hebrew is from the root which forms “Mizpeh,” or “watch-tower.” The psalmist looks up for the answer to his prayer as the seer on his tower (Habakkuk 2:1) looked up for his inspiration.

The usual attitude of prayer in the East was then, as now, either standing or prostrate, the hands lifted up or spread out (Exodus 9:33, Psalms 28:2, Psalms 134:2, and Psalms 141:2). To raise the eyes was not so usual.

Virgil, describing the capture of Cassandra by the Greeks, makes her look up, but only because her hands were bound.

“Ad coelum tendens ardentia lumina frustra,
Lumina—nam teneras arcebant vincula palmas.”

Neither shall evil. —Better, the wicked man is not your guest. For the same thought, see Psalm 15; and for the opposite, of God coming to dwell with the godly, Isaiah 57:15.

Foolish. — Literally, shiners — i.e., displayers of self; or, perhaps, self-praisers, boasters.

Shall not stand. — As distinguished men before kings (Proverbs 22:29); as angels in the court of the heavenly King (Job 1:6).

Lying. —See Psalms 4:2.

Bloody. —Margin, literally, of bloods and deceit. So Septuagint and Vulgate.