Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my meditation. Give heed to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for to You I will pray. My voice You shall hear in the morning, O Lord; in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up. (Psalm 5:1-3)
This psalm of David was to be accompanied, instrumentally with nehiloth, a Hebrew word that is sometimes translated as flutes. However, Jewish commentators are more inclined to relate this word to a stringed instrument that simulated the sound buzzing bees would make. According to the commentators, this sound was to symbolize the enemies of David who were “buzzing” around hoping to annoy and sting God’s servant. It is in that environment that he calls upon the LORD asking Him to hear his voice above the noise of his enemies. Though the wicked may bow to many kings and call upon various gods, the servant of the Most High looks only to the One True God for assistance and favor.
In regard to prayer, David accentuates the merit of meeting with God first thing in the morning, before the trivial and mundane details associated with life have taken over our mind and attention. I would like to think that harassment and threats are a good motivation to begin the day with prayer, but at any rate, it seems appropriate to meet with God in prayer at the start of the day regardless of one’s present circumstances. What better time to look to the LORD for hope and inspiration than the moment when the light of day dispels the darkness of night? And so from David’s perspective, as the sound of his enemies is buzzing in the background, at first light he goes to God to call upon Him for favor and help.
Not only does David call upon the Almighty but he does so with confidence that he will receive an answer. Our text says, “I will look up” but the Hebrew word is better rendered, “I anticipate.” Therefore, the servant of God should expect that our Heavenly Father will answer our petition, and so, it is appropriate to pray with anticipation of His response. It might be that He answers differently from what we had hoped but, according to the Word, He will answer. So on that note, let’s conclude with these thoughts from the apostle John: “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him” (1 John 5:14-15).
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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