Psalms 5:6

Context

Psalm 5 is a fervent prayer of David, likely composed during a time of intense affliction or persecution from his enemies. Throughout the psalm, David appeals to God for help and deliverance, expressing his reliance on the Lord's righteousness and justice. This particular verse, Psalms 5:6, highlights David's understanding of God's character: a holy and just God who actively opposes and condemns wickedness. It serves as an assurance to David (and the reader) that despite the apparent prosperity of the wicked, their ultimate fate is destruction at the hand of a righteous God. This declaration is part of David's plea for divine intervention against those who plot against him, as seen in earlier verses like Psalms 5:4.

Key Themes

• Divine Justice and Judgment: The verse powerfully asserts God's active role in judging the wicked. The phrase "Thou shalt destroy them" emphasizes God's sovereign power and ultimate retribution against those who persist in evil. This theme echoes throughout the Psalms, affirming God's commitment to justice for His people, as also seen in Psalms 9:17.
• God's Abhorrence of Evil: The Lord's character is revealed as one who utterly detests deceit and violence. He "will abhor the bloody and deceitful man," indicating a deep moral repulsion for those who practice falsehood and bloodshed. This is a foundational aspect of God's holiness, contrasting sharply with human sinfulness.
• Truth vs. Deception: A central contrast is drawn between truth and "leasing" (lying). God, being truth itself (Numbers 23:19), cannot tolerate falsehood. This highlights the importance of integrity and honesty in the eyes of God.

Linguistic Insights

• "Leasing": This is an archaic King James Version term. The original Hebrew word is kazab (כָּזָב), which means "lie," "deception," or "falsehood." So, "them that speak leasing" refers directly to those who tell lies or are deceitful.
• "Abhor": The Hebrew word used here is ta'ev (תָּעֵב), which conveys a strong sense of detestation, disgust, or utter repulsion. It's not merely a dislike but a profound moral rejection. This emphasizes the intensity of God's opposition to the "bloody and deceitful man."
• "Bloody and deceitful man": This phrase describes a character type. "Bloody" (Hebrew: damim, דָּמִים) refers to one who sheds blood or is violent, while "deceitful" (Hebrew: mirmah, מִרְמָה) points to someone who uses trickery, fraud, or treachery. The combination paints a picture of a person who is both violent and manipulative.

Practical Application

This verse offers several insights for believers today:

• Comfort in God's Justice: When facing injustice, deceit, or violence, believers can find comfort knowing that God sees and will ultimately judge evil. We are called to trust in His perfect timing and righteous judgment, rather than taking vengeance into our own hands (Romans 12:19).
• A Call to Integrity: As followers of God, we are called to reflect His character. This means actively pursuing truthfulness and integrity in all our dealings, avoiding any form of "leasing" or deceit. Our words should be trustworthy, and our actions should be sincere.
• Understanding God's Nature: The verse deepens our understanding of God's holiness and His unwavering opposition to sin. He is not indifferent to evil but is actively against it. This understanding should motivate us to flee from sin and pursue righteousness.