Psalm 5 7

Psalm 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.

Psalm 5:7 nkjv

But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy; In fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple.

Psalm 5:7 niv

But I, by your great love, can come into your house; in reverence I bow down toward your holy temple.

Psalm 5:7 esv

But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house. I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you.

Psalm 5:7 nlt

Because of your unfailing love, I can enter your house;
I will worship at your Temple with deepest awe.

Psalm 5 verses

Psalm 5 7 Meaning

Psalm 5:7 declares the psalmist's profound confidence and a pathway to God's presence, not based on his own merit, but solely on God's expansive, covenantal, steadfast love. It articulates his resolve to enter God's sanctuary—spiritually and physically—to humble himself in worship and reverence, acknowledging the Holy One.

Psalm 5 7 Context

Psalm 5 is a morning prayer of King David, likely composed during a period of intense distress, as he faced malicious enemies and their deceitful ways (Ps 5:4-6, 9-10). It is a plea for God to act decisively against the wicked and for His justice to prevail. The psalm opens with David crying out to God, acknowledging God's attentiveness to the righteous and His aversion to the wicked. Verses 1-6 emphasize God's absolute holiness and intolerance for sin, stating that the boastful, workers of iniquity, and those who speak lies cannot stand in His sight. In this immediate context, verse 7 ("But as for me...") stands in sharp contrast. While the wicked are shut out, David confidently declares his privilege to approach God. This access is not due to his own sinless perfection—he is keenly aware of human frailty—but purely due to God's boundless, unwavering love and faithfulness. This sets the foundation for David's request for guidance and protection in the verses that follow (Ps 5:8, 11-12). Historically, the "house" and "temple" would refer to the Tabernacle (since David predates Solomon's Temple), signifying the designated place for Israel to encounter God's presence and offer worship.

Psalm 5 7 Word analysis

• But as for me (וַאֲנִי, wa’ani): This is an emphatic personal pronoun, "but I," forming a sharp contrast (adversative conjunction 'waw') to the description of the wicked in the preceding verses (Ps 5:4-6). While the wicked are alienated and abhorred by God, the psalmist expresses his distinct position and confidence before God. It highlights a personal, confident relationship.

• by Your abundant steadfast love (בְּרֹב חַסְדְּךָ, bə·rōḇ ḥas·d'ḵā):

  • בְּרֹב (bə·rōḇ): "By the abundance of," "according to the greatness of." The preposition 'bə' here denotes means or ground, meaning his access is on the basis of this abundance. "Abundance" indicates overwhelming fullness, not just a measure.
  • חַסְדְּךָ (ḥas·d'ḵā): This is the core theological term "hesed" (singular, with pronominal suffix "Your"). Hesed is not mere emotion; it denotes covenant loyalty, lovingkindness, faithful mercy, and unswerving devotion that goes beyond what is deserved. It speaks of a bond between parties where fidelity is expected and demonstrated. In God's character, it means His faithful keeping of His promises and merciful engagement with His people, particularly within the framework of His covenant. It's His consistent, loyal love. This term profoundly signifies that David's approach to God is grounded solely in God's faithful character and promise, not David's own merits or actions. This highlights divine grace.

• I will enter (אָבוֹא, ’ābō w'): A strong affirmation, a Qal imperfect verb expressing a determined, volitional act – "I will certainly come," or "I intend to come." It is not a request for permission, but a statement of confident access. It implies full assurance.

• Your house (בֵיתֶךָ, wêtē·ḵā): Lit. "Your house." In this context, it refers to the sacred dwelling place of God's presence—the Tabernacle (before Solomon's Temple), or conceptually, God's immediate sphere of activity and worship. It signifies intimate access to where God 'dwells' among His people. It contrasts with pagan temples that might be entered with bribery or self-merit.

• I will bow down (אֶשְׁתַּחֲוֶה, ’eš·taḥă·weh): From the root šāḥāh, Hish'taph'el stem. This verb describes the act of prostration, lying prostrate or falling face down as an act of humble reverence, worship, and submission. It is a physical expression of total deference to a superior, here, the sovereign God. It emphasizes profound respect and worship.

• toward Your holy temple (אֶל־הֵיכַל קָדְשֶׁךָ, ’el-hê·ḵal qoḏ·še·ḵā):

  • אֶל־הֵיכַל (’el-hê·ḵal): "Toward the temple" or "palace." Hêḵal typically refers to a large building or palace, and specifically the sanctuary/nave of the Tabernacle or Temple where God's presence was symbolized. It signifies the central place of worship. The preposition 'el' shows direction – towards this sacred space.
  • קָדְשֶׁךָ (qoḏ·še·ḵā): "Your holiness." "Holy" here emphasizes its dedicated, separated nature, set apart for God's divine presence and purposes. This descriptor reinforces the awe and reverence due to God and His dwelling place, underscoring the purity required (though gained through God's 'hesed' for the worshipper).

• in awe of You (בְּיִרְאָתֶךָ, bə·yir’ā·ṯe·ḵā):

  • בְּיִרְאָתֶךָ (bə·yir’ā·ṯe·ḵā): "In your fear/awe." Yir’āh is a rich term meaning fear, reverence, awe, and worship. It's not a slavish terror, but a profound respect and wonder inspired by God's holiness, power, and majesty, leading to obedience and humility. The preposition 'bə' again suggests "by means of" or "in" this attitude of reverence. It defines the posture of David's worship.

Words-group Analysis:

• "But as for me, by Your abundant steadfast love": This phrase establishes the radical contrast. While the wicked are driven away by God's judgment (Ps 5:4-6), the psalmist approaches by a radically different means: God's hesed. It's a declaration that human worthiness is not the qualifier for divine access, but divine grace and covenant faithfulness. This sets up a polemic against any religion based on human works or merit; the entry is predicated on God's nature alone.
• "I will enter Your house; I will bow down toward Your holy temple in awe of You": This paired statement outlines the spiritual action and its posture. Entering God's house is an act of access and presence. Bowing down signifies submission and profound reverence. The act is directed toward the "holy temple," indicating the focal point of God's dwelling and worship, and the manner of worship is "in awe," reflecting a deep, reverent fear of the Most High God. This demonstrates the correct spiritual and physical orientation required when approaching God's presence, balancing confidence with humility.

Psalm 5 7 Bonus section

This verse contains a subtle but powerful polemic against the pagan religions of the ancient Near East. In many surrounding cultures, access to the deity's temple was often contingent on a complex system of rituals, sacrifices for placation, or the favor of a capricious god based on human merit or bribery. The "gods" often required their worshipers to prove their worth. In stark contrast, David's confidence to "enter Your house" is explicitly stated to be "by Your abundant steadfast love," not by his own offering or perfection. This declares that Israel's God, Yahweh, is approachable based on His inherent, faithful character, extending love as the foundation for relationship, rather than requiring appeasement from a fearful distance or a demanding list of accomplishments.

Furthermore, Psalm 5:7 points forward to the New Covenant reality. While David accessed God's presence via the Tabernacle/Temple system based on the foundational promise of God's hesed, the New Testament declares that through Jesus Christ, God's ultimate expression of hesed (often translated "love" or "grace" in Greek), believers now have "confidence to enter the holy places by the blood of Jesus" (Heb 10:19). Our access is directly to God Himself, through Christ who serves as the High Priest and the "way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6). The "house" of God is no longer just a physical structure but the very presence of God in heaven, made accessible. The "awe" remains, recognizing the unchangeable holiness of God, but it is tempered by the profound joy and gratitude for the unearned access granted through Christ's redemptive work. This verse, therefore, beautifully prefigures the profound privilege of communion that believers now enjoy.

Psalm 5 7 Commentary

Psalm 5:7 offers a pivotal statement contrasting human depravity with divine grace, encapsulated in the psalmist's access to God. While the preceding verses highlight God's abhorrence for the wicked and their exclusion from His presence, David confidently asserts his ability to enter God's "house" and worship "by Your abundant steadfast love." This is profoundly significant: it declares that the ground for spiritual access to God is not human achievement, merit, or freedom from sin (as Psalm 15 and 24 might seem to imply initially), but solely God's unmerited, faithful, and overwhelming grace ("hesed"). This emphasizes a key biblical truth that permeates both Old and New Testaments: access to God's presence is a gift rooted in His character and covenant, not in human perfect performance.

The twin actions of "entering Your house" and "bowing down toward Your holy temple" convey both direct spiritual access and a posture of reverent submission. David's confident stride into God's presence is paired with profound humility and awe (yir'ah), recognizing the majesty and holiness of the God he approaches. This balanced approach is crucial: boldness in faith combined with a respectful fear of the Holy One. This verse stands as a testament to the psalmist's secure hope and deep understanding of God's character, setting a model for all believers on how to approach God—not presumptuously, but humbly, reliant entirely on His unwavering love.

Examples:

• Reliance on Grace: A believer facing guilt acknowledges past failures, yet draws near to God in prayer, confident not in their perfection but in God's boundless mercy in Christ.
• Reverent Worship: Engaging in congregational worship or private devotion, one might physically or spiritually humble themselves, recognizing the immensity of God’s holiness even as they enjoy intimate communion.