Love Good and Hate Evil (Psalm 5)

1. Read: Psalm 5:4-6

2. About the Text:

1) This psalm displays several attitudes toward good and evil.

2) Do we share the same attitudes?

3. Ref. to S, T, P, O, and A.

1. The psalmist addresses his petition to Yahweh, the source of all good.

1) To give ear to his words (1).

2) To heed the voice of his cry (2).

2. He asks Yahweh to consider his meditation (1).

1) A meditation is an uttering of words with meaning.

2) This is a fervent cry.

3. He acknowledges Yahweh as his King and God (2).

1) A King is one who has authority.

2) God is the object of worship.

3) This is an acknowledgement of Yahweh’s ability and worthiness.

4. This is a morning prayer to Yahweh (3).

1) Morning is an appropriate time to pray.

2) It is a time to orient oneself toward the day.

5. We petition God, who is good, to save us from evil.

1) “who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us out of this present evil world, according to the will of our God and Father” (Galatians 1:4).

2) “the Lord knoweth how to deliver the godly out of temptation, and to keep the unrighteous under punishment unto the day of judgment” (2 Peter 2:9).

1. Yahweh’s relationship to evil is opposition (4).

1) Yahweh does not take pleasure in wickedness.

2) Evil does not dwell with Yahweh.

2. Yahweh’s attitude toward evil (5).

1) The boastful (prideful) will not stand before the sight (judgment) of God.

2) Hates (is the enemy of) all workers (practitioners) of iniquity (sin).

3. Yahweh’s actions toward evil (6).

1) Destroys those who lie (6).

2) Abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful (6).

4. God, who is good, opposes evil.

1) “And this is the message which we have heard from him and announce unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5).

2) “Thou art good, and doest good; Teach me thy statutes” (Psalm 119:68).

3) “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” (1 Peter 3:12).

1. In relationship to God’s house (7).

1) He will come into the Lord’s house.

2) He will worship toward the temple in fear of the Lord.

2. In relationship to God’s presence (8).

1) To lead him in the face of his enemies.

2) To make his way straight.

3. We must position ourselves in a right relationship with God to be good.

1) “Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? or what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what portion hath a believer with an unbeliever?” (2 Corinthians 6:14-15).

2) “Awake to righteousness, and do not sin; for some do not have the knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame” (1 Corinthians 15:34).

1. Of their words (9).

1) No faithfulness in their mouth.

2) Inward part is destruction.

3) Throat is an open tomb.

4) Flatter with the tongue.

2. Of their actions (10).

1) Guilty before God.

2) Fall by their counsels.

3) Cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions.

4) They have rebelled against Yahweh.

3. We must condemn that which is evil for God to help us against evil.

1) “Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20).

2) “He who justifies the wicked, and he who condemns the just, Both of them alike are an abomination to the Lord” (Proverbs 17:15).

1. Joy (11)

1) For those who put their trust in Yahweh.

2) For those defended by Yahweh.

3) For those who love the name.

2. Grace (12)

1) The righteous will be blessed.

2) They will be surrounded as a shield with favor.

3. When we love good and hate evil, we will receive joy and grace from God.

1) “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth” (3 John 1:4).

2) “These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).

1. We must love good and hate evil. This is demonstrated in the pslamist’s…

1) Petition

2) Opposition

3) Position

4) Condemnation

5) Exaltation

2. Invitation