Psalm 5

1 O Lord, hear me as I pray; pay attention to my groaning.
2 Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you.
3 Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly.
4 O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness; you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked.
5 Therefore, the proud may not stand in your presence, for you hate all who do evil.
6 You will destroy those who tell lies. The Lord detests murderers and deceivers.
7 Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house; I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe.
8 Lead me in the right path, O Lord, or my enemies will conquer me. Make your way plain for me to follow.
9 My enemies cannot speak a truthful word. Their deepest desire is to destroy others. Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with flattery.
10 O God, declare them guilty. Let them be caught in their own traps. Drive them away because of their many sins, for they have rebelled against you.
11 But let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name may be filled with joy.
12 For you bless the godly, O Lord; you surround them with your shield of love.



The Church of England calls it "Morning Vespers".

It's a prayer service intended to begin the day with God. An excellent idea...one they could have gotten by reading today's psalm. David says "each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly."

I haven't always been very disciplined at this, but...writing this daily devotion has had an amazing effect. My mornings are peaceful. I lay my concerns at God's feet and I can approach the day with optimism and confidence...knowing the God is interceding.

And we need intercessions. Read David's list of concerns and we realize the life of a faithful person is not always smooth. Most of David's concern surrounds the activities of wicked people around him...and the resulting destruction. We all recognize the reality here. At work, the mall, school...it makes no difference...there are people who appear to have no other mission than to disrupt our day. Well...this psalm suggests we give that to God before we leave the house.

And the promise? David says 'let all who take refuge in you rejoice. Let them sing joyful praises forever. Spread your protection over them, that all who love your name will be filled with joy!" What a wonderful benediction!

By the way...The Church of England has "Evening Vespers" as well.

Live boldly out there today...