Psalms 5:7

KJV

¶ But as for me, I will come [into] thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: [and] in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.

KJV (with Strong's)

But as for me, I will come {H935} into thy house {H1004} in the multitude {H7230} of thy mercy {H2617}: and in thy fear {H3374} will I worship {H7812} toward thy holy {H6944} temple {H1964}.

Complete Jewish Bible

But I can enter your house because of your great grace and love; I will bow down toward your holy temple in reverence for you.

Berean Standard Bible

But I will enter Your house by the abundance of Your loving devotion; in reverence I will bow down toward Your holy temple.

American Standard Version

But as for me, in the abundance of thy lovingkindness will I come into thy house: In thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 5:7 presents a profound declaration by King David, sharply contrasting his approach to God with that of the wicked described earlier in the psalm. Despite the prevalent ungodliness and opposition, David confidently affirms his intention to enter God's presence for worship. His access is not predicated on personal merit or human effort, but solely on the boundless, overflowing "multitude of thy mercy," coupled with a deep, reverent awe for God's holiness, as he directs his worship toward the sacred sanctuary.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 5 functions as a fervent morning prayer, likely composed by David during a period of intense distress and opposition from his adversaries. The psalm opens with David's urgent cry for God to hear his supplication and attend to his morning prayer (vv. 1-3). He then vividly describes the character of the wicked, emphasizing God's utter abhorrence for their deceit, violence, and pride (vv. 4-6). Psalms 5:7 marks a pivotal turning point, introduced by the emphatic "But as for me," which starkly contrasts David's righteous path and confident approach to God with the exclusion and condemnation faced by the ungodly. Following this declaration of worship, David continues to appeal for divine guidance and protection against his enemies, expressing unwavering trust in God's ultimate justice and favor for the righteous (vv. 8-12).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Attributed to David, this psalm likely reflects a time when he faced significant personal or national enemies, possibly during his flight from Saul or during Absalom's rebellion. The references to "thy house" and "thy holy temple" would, in David's era, refer to the Tabernacle, the portable sanctuary where God's presence was manifested among His people. While the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem was built by Solomon, the KJV's use of "temple" here reflects the later understanding of God's dwelling place and its symbolic significance. The act of worshipping "toward" the sanctuary was a common and deeply meaningful practice, signifying a directed, intentional seeking of God where He had promised to meet with His people, even if one was not physically present within the Tabernacle courts. This practice underscored the centrality of the sanctuary as the focal point of Israelite worship and communion with God.
* **Key Themes:** Psalms 5:7 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the psalm and the broader Psalter. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Access to God**, powerfully asserting that humanity's ability to approach a holy God is not earned through human performance or inherent righteousness, but is an undeserved gift rooted in God's abundant grace and covenant faithfulness. This is a foundational truth echoed throughout Scripture, as seen in the New Testament's declaration that we have [access to God through Christ](/ephesians/2-18 "Ephesians 2:18 - Access to the Father Through Christ"). Secondly, the verse highlights the nature of **Reverent Worship**, emphasizing that true devotion is characterized by a profound sense of awe, humility, and respect for God's majesty and holiness. This "fear" is not terror, but a deep, loving recognition of God's supreme authority, as also taught in [Proverbs 9:10](/proverbs/9-10 "Proverbs 9:10 - The Fear of the Lord is the Beginning of Wisdom"). Finally, the mention of "thy house" and "thy holy temple" reinforces the theme of the **Sanctuary as God's Dwelling Place**, symbolizing God's presence among His people and serving as the designated locus for communion and worship, a concept that finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ Himself, as He declared in [John 2:19-21](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus, the True Temple").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Mercy (Hebrew, _ḥeseḏ'_):** This rich theological term, often translated as "lovingkindness," "steadfast love," or "covenant loyalty," denotes a deep, faithful, and enduring love that God extends to His people. It goes beyond mere pity, signifying an active, committed benevolence rooted in God's covenant relationship. David's reliance on the "multitude" of this mercy emphasizes its abundance and sufficiency as the sole basis for approaching a holy God.
* **Fear (Hebrew, _yir'â'_):** This word encompasses both a healthy dread of God's judgment and a profound reverence, awe, and respect for His holiness and power. In this context, it describes the proper, humble response to God's majesty, acknowledging His sovereignty and our dependence. It is a worshipful fear that leads to obedience and wisdom, not terror that drives one away.
* **Temple (Hebrew, _hêḵāl'_):** While the physical Temple was built later by Solomon, this term (along with _bayiṯ_, "house") refers to the central sanctuary where God's presence was manifested. For David, this would have been the Tabernacle. The concept is of God's designated dwelling place, the focal point of worship and communion, symbolizing His dwelling among His people.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But as for me":** This phrase serves as a strong adversative conjunction, creating a stark contrast between David's righteous character and confident approach to God, and the wicked individuals described in the preceding verses (Psalms 5:4-6) who are abhorrent to God and will be destroyed. It highlights David's personal commitment and distinct path.
* **"I will come into thy house":** This signifies David's intentional and determined act of approaching God's sacred dwelling place. It expresses a confident expectation of access, not based on presumption, but on a divinely provided means.
* **"in the multitude of thy mercy":** This clause reveals the foundational basis for David's access. His entry into God's presence is not earned by his own merit, righteousness, or ritualistic performance, but is solely an undeserved gift flowing from God's abundant, overflowing, and steadfast love and covenant faithfulness (_ḥeseḏ_). It underscores the grace-driven nature of communion with God.
* **"and in thy fear will I worship":** This describes the proper posture and attitude of David's worship. His worship is characterized by a deep sense of reverent awe, humility, and respect for God's holiness and supreme authority. This "fear" is not terror, but a profound recognition of God's majesty that inspires adoration and submission.
* **"toward thy holy temple":** This specifies the direction and focus of David's worship. Even if not physically present within the Tabernacle (which was the "holy temple" of his day), David directs his worship towards the designated place where God's presence was manifested. This indicates intentionality, focus, and an acknowledgment of God's dwelling among His people.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several impactful **Literary Devices**. The most prominent is **Contrast**, powerfully introduced by the opening phrase "But as for me," which sets David's righteous and reverent approach to God in stark opposition to the wicked described in the preceding verses. This juxtaposition highlights the distinct paths and destinies of the righteous and the ungodly. **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche** is present in the phrases "thy house" and "thy holy temple," where the physical sanctuary stands for God's manifest presence and the entire system of worship and communion associated with it. The use of "multitude" to describe God's mercy can be seen as a form of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the overflowing, superabundant nature of divine grace that provides the sole basis for human access. Furthermore, there is an implied **Parallelism** between the two main clauses ("in the multitude of thy mercy" and "in thy fear will I worship"), which, though not strictly synonymous, present two complementary and essential aspects of a proper approach to God: the divine provision and the human response.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 5:7 encapsulates a foundational theological truth: access to God is always initiated by His divine character and provided through His boundless mercy, not earned by human merit. David, despite being a king and a man after God's own heart, understood that his ability to enter God's presence stemmed solely from the "multitude of thy mercy." This principle transcends the Old Covenant sanctuary system, pointing to a universal truth about humanity's relationship with a holy God. True worship, then, is not merely ritualistic but is characterized by a profound sense of "fear" – a reverent awe and humility that acknowledges God's supreme holiness and our utter dependence upon His grace. This verse thus serves as a timeless paradigm for approaching God, emphasizing both the gracious provision of God and the proper, worshipful response of humanity.

* [Exodus 34:6-7](/exodus/34-6 "Exodus 34:6-7 - The Lord's Character: Merciful and Gracious")
* [Hebrews 10:19-22](/hebrews/10-19 "Hebrews 10:19-22 - Bold Access Through Christ's Blood")
* [Psalm 100:2](/psalms/100-2 "Psalm 100:2 - Worship with Gladness and Awe")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 5:7 offers enduring principles for believers today, even though the physical temple no longer stands as the sole locus of worship. David's declaration reminds us that our ability to approach God is never based on our own goodness or accomplishments, but entirely on the "multitude of His mercy." For us, this mercy is most profoundly revealed in the finished work of Jesus Christ, who has opened a new and living way into the very presence of God. Therefore, we are invited to come boldly to the throne of grace, not presumptuously, but with humble confidence, knowing that our access is secured by Christ's sacrifice. Furthermore, David's commitment to worship "in thy fear" challenges us to cultivate a genuine reverence and awe for God in all aspects of our lives, not just during formal worship services. Our worship, whether private or corporate, should be marked by a deep recognition of God's holiness, majesty, and power, fostering a heart of intentional devotion directed solely towards Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's "multitude of mercy" shape your approach to Him in prayer and worship?**
* **In what ways can you cultivate a deeper sense of "fear" (reverence and awe) for God in your daily life and in corporate worship?**
* **How does the finished work of Christ transform our access to God compared to David's experience, and what implications does this have for your spiritual walk?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of "thy house" and "thy holy temple" if the Temple wasn't built in David's time?**

Answer: In David's time, the primary dwelling place of God among His people was the Tabernacle, a portable sanctuary. The Hebrew word _hêḵāl_ (translated "temple") can refer to a large building or palace, but in the context of the sanctuary, it could also denote the main part of the Tabernacle, the "holy place." Similarly, _bayiṯ_ ("house") is a general term for a dwelling. The KJV's use of "temple" here is anachronistic in terms of the permanent structure built by Solomon, but it accurately conveys the *concept* of God's designated holy dwelling place. David's worship "toward" this "house" or "temple" signifies his intentional focus on the place where God had promised to meet His people, acknowledging the centrality of God's manifest presence in their worship. It's the spiritual reality of God's dwelling and the focal point of worship that is significant, regardless of the specific architectural form it took at any given time.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 5:7 finds its ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. David's access to God's "house" in the "multitude of thy mercy" foreshadows the far greater access we now have through Christ. Jesus Himself declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," speaking of [the temple of His body](/john/2-19 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus, the True Temple"). He is the true and ultimate "house" or "temple" through whom God dwells among us and through whom we approach the Father. The "multitude of thy mercy" that David relied upon is perfectly embodied in Christ's atoning sacrifice. It is through His shed blood that we have been granted [bold access to the throne of grace](/hebrews/4-14 "Hebrews 4:14-16 - Our Great High Priest") (Hebrews 4:14-16), a privilege far surpassing the Old Testament access to the Tabernacle or Temple. Our High Priest, Jesus, has entered the true heavenly sanctuary, not by the blood of animals, but by His own blood, securing [eternal redemption](/hebrews/9-11 "Hebrews 9:11-14 - Christ's Superior Sacrifice") (Hebrews 9:11-14). Furthermore, Christ perfectly exemplified worship "in thy fear," demonstrating complete reverence and obedience to the Father, even unto death. He is the one through whom we, by the Spirit, now have [access to the Father](/ephesians/2-18 "Ephesians 2:18 - Access to the Father Through Christ") (Ephesians 2:18), making David's longing a present reality for all who believe.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Psalms 132:7

We will go into his tabernacles: we will worship at his footstool.

Psalms 138:2

I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.

Hebrews 4:16

Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

Psalms 69:13

¶ But as for me, my prayer [is] unto thee, O LORD, [in] an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation.

Hebrews 12:28

Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:

Hebrews 12:29

For our God [is] a consuming fire.

Isaiah 55:7

Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.