Psalm 5 4

Psalm 5:4 kjv

For thou art not a God that hath pleasure in wickedness: neither shall evil dwell with thee.

Psalm 5:4 nkjv

For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You.

Psalm 5:4 niv

For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness; with you, evil people are not welcome.

Psalm 5:4 esv

For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you.

Psalm 5:4 nlt

O God, you take no pleasure in wickedness;
you cannot tolerate the sins of the wicked.

Psalm 5 verses

Psalm 5 4 Meaning

Psalm 5:4 profoundly declares the unblemished holiness and righteousness of the Most High. It reveals that the Living God is utterly incompatible with evil and wickedness, holding no delight in them, nor can anything unholy coexist or have a place in His divine presence. This verse firmly establishes a core attribute of the One True God, distinguishing Him absolutely from human sinfulness and from the flawed deities of pagan beliefs.

Psalm 5 4 Context

Psalm 5 is a morning prayer of David, a lament and an appeal to God for help against his enemies. The chapter portrays a vivid contrast between the righteous who seek God in prayer and the wicked who practice deceit and violence. Verse 4 anchors David's plea in the character of God Himself: because God is holy and just, He must hear the righteous and must reject the wicked. Historically and culturally, this declaration directly countered the prevalent pagan religions where gods often displayed human vices, caprice, and even delighted in chaos or wickedness. David emphasizes that the God of Israel is utterly unique in His moral purity, making His sanctuary (both earthly and heavenly) utterly inaccessible to evil.

Psalm 5 4 Word analysis

• For: (כִּי - ki) – An explanatory particle, establishing the reason for the previous request in verses 1-3. It grounds David's hope and prayer in God's immutable character.

• You: (אַתָּה - attah) – Emphatic, directly addressing God. It personalizes the declaration of God's nature.

• are not: (לֹא - lo') – A strong negative, asserting a complete antithesis. It defines God by what He fundamentally is not, setting Him apart.

• a God who delights: (אֵל חָפֵץ - El chaphets) – El is a general term for God. Chafetz (חָפֵץ) means "to desire, to take pleasure in, to be pleased with, to delight in." Its negation here stresses that pleasure, favor, or any inclination towards wickedness is entirely absent from God's being. It's not just a lack of action but an absolute rejection on a fundamental level of divine desire.

• in wickedness: (רֶשַׁע - resha') – Refers to active evil, injustice, guilt, and lawlessness, often encompassing both moral depravity and actions that cause harm. It’s a comprehensive term for unrighteous conduct.

• Evil: (רָע - ra') – A broad term for that which is bad, harmful, or morally corrupt. It can refer to calamity, misfortune, or specifically moral evil. Here, it refers to the personified nature or essence of wickedness itself.

• may not dwell: (לֹא יְגוּרְךָ - lo yagurka) – Gur (גּוּר) signifies "to sojourn, to abide, to dwell as a stranger or guest." The negative, "may not dwell," conveys absolute exclusion. It's not just that evil won't take up permanent residence, but that it cannot even be a temporary guest or pass through. There's no possible co-existence, even for a moment.

• with You: (לָךְ - lach) – Denotes being in proximity, alongside, or in the presence of God. This specifies the space where evil is forbidden, namely, God's immediate sphere of influence, His holy presence, and ultimately, His divine being.

Words-group analysis:

• "For You are not a God who delights in wickedness": This phrase directly confronts the nature of God, denying any intrinsic pleasure or affinity He could have for evil. It contrasts sharply with the depraved deities worshipped by surrounding nations, who were often depicted delighting in human sacrifice or moral ambiguity. This affirms God's perfect moral purity and unblemished character.
• "Evil may not dwell with You": This second part emphasizes the practical consequence of God's character. His holiness means there is an absolute spatial and existential incompatibility between His presence and anything evil. Evil has no standing, no permission to even sojourn or temporarily exist in His immediate sphere. This points to both God's nature and the inaccessibility of His perfect sanctuary to the unholy.

Psalm 5 4 Bonus section

The profound incompatibility between God's holiness and evil also carries implications for Christian living:

• It necessitates repentance and seeking God's purification for believers, as we are called to be holy as He is holy (1 Pet 1:16).
• It reinforces the severity of sin and why God cannot simply overlook it; His character demands justice.
• It highlights the uniqueness of the Gospel message where Christ, through His sacrifice, bridges this vast chasm between sinful humanity and a holy God. He who knew no sin became sin so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him (2 Cor 5:21).

Psalm 5 4 Commentary

Psalm 5:4 is a foundational statement about the divine nature, articulating God's absolute and unchanging holiness. It presents two facets of this truth: God has no internal inclination or delight toward evil, and evil can have no external proximity or fellowship with Him. This deep-seated repugnance for wickedness is not a whim but inherent to His essence. This principle undergirds God's demands for righteousness from humanity, His justice in judging sin, and the necessity of atonement for fallen humanity to approach Him. It informs our understanding that holiness is the very atmosphere of God's being; therefore, reconciliation and purification are paramount for anyone seeking fellowship with Him.