Psalm 5:1 Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation.
The key word here is “meditation.” The Psalmist wants the Lord to give ear to the words of his meditation – not the words spoken literally but those that arise inwardly from the heart. Words of meditation from the heart are more likely to be sincere and honest. Prayers spoken out loud are often spoken according to what you think God wants to hear rather than what is really in your heart. Prayers from your mind are more likely to be contaminated with soul-flesh input. Another translation of the word “meditations” is “groanings.” The Apostle Paul speaks of groanings that cannot be uttered in prayer. The Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God. Romans 8:26-27 NKJ.
Psalm 5:2 Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God: for unto Thee will I pray.
“Voice” is another key word. In the Scriptures, words often carry a different meaning from what they mean in man’s world. For example, “truth,” which normally means any correct fact, is another name for Jesus Christ. Jesus said, I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life… (John 14:6). So the scriptural meaning of “Truth” is anything spoken that carries His life and presence. The word “good” is another example. In the Scriptures it refers to God, not man. Jesus said, “There is none good but One, that is, God” (Matthew 19:17). And when speaking of man, “There is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Romans 3:12). Only things accomplished by God are good. Likewise, the word “voice” carries a deeper meaning in the Scriptures. It has to do with the emanations of life. God told the children of Israel at Sinai: If ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people… (Exodus 19:5). His voice is His Word (or His Spirit-Word) and Jesus explains what that means in John 6:63: The words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are Life. So when the Psalmist says, Hearken unto the voice of my cry, my King, and my God, he is saying, “Hearken unto the voice that is rising up from my spirit unto Thee.” This is real praying. You may not be aware of any words or be able to express in words what you feel, yet there is a groaning hunger in the heart for the Lord.
Psalm 5:3 My voice shalt Thou hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee, and will look up.
The prayer of verses one and two anticipates a new day in the Lord. Such a prayer is “the fervent prayer of a righteous man that avails much” (James 5:16). The hungry heart draws nigh to God and results in God drawing nigh unto him (James 4:8). Thus, a new day in the Lord is created, and it begins with the words of meditation.
Copyright © 2008 by Henry DuBose