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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The phrase "in the multitude of your steadfast love" isn't just about God's overwhelming affection; it highlights that David's approach to God's presence is entirely dependent on this boundless mercy. This isn't about earning entrance, but recognizing that access to God's "house" is a gift, made possible and sustained by God's constant, abundant kindness, even in the face of enemies.
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.
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Psalmist contrasts his own desire to approach God with the enemies' exclusion, highlighting how God's immense mercy grants him access to worship in His presence. Even when physically distant or facing adversaries, he resolves to approach God's dwelling place and worship toward the sacred tent of meeting with reverent awe. This longing is rooted in God's abundant love and faithfulness, which enables even a flawed person to draw near to the holy God.
When we face challenges and feel distant from God, how do we find our way back into His presence? This verse gives us a powerful clue.
The Psalmist declares, 'But I, through the abundance of your steadfast love, will enter your house.' This isn't about earning our way in or achieving a perfect record. It's about recognizing that access to God is a gift, fueled by His overwhelming, unwavering love for us.
Even when circumstances or enemies try to keep us away, God's mercy is the force that propels us forward. It's the 'multitude of your mercy' (as some translations put it) that enables us to approach Him. This means our confidence in prayer and worship isn't rooted in our own goodness, but in God's limitless grace.
What does genuine worship look like? It's more than just showing up; it involves a specific posture of the heart.
The verse continues, 'I will bow down toward your holy temple in the fear of you.' This act of bowing and the accompanying 'fear' describe a deep reverence for God's holiness and majesty. It’s not a cowering, terrified fear, but a profound awe that acknowledges His greatness and our dependence on Him.
This 'fear' is coupled with worship 'toward' the holy place. Whether literal or symbolic, this directed worship shows intentionality. It signifies aligning ourselves with God's presence, acknowledging His sovereignty, and submitting to His will. This reverence fuels our worship, making it a response to His character, not just an outward ritual.
Understand the original words
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chesed · Hebrew Noun
A term describing God’s covenantal faithfulness, loyal love, and mercy. It is the unmerited, persistent, and reliable commitment of God to His people.
heychal · Hebrew Noun
The inner, holy dwelling place of God’s presence. It signifies the place where God’s holiness resides and where His people approach Him for communion and worship.
yirah · Hebrew Noun
A reverential awe, holy terror, or deep respect for God. It is the proper response of the creature to the Creator's holiness and authority, leading to obedience and humility.
This Psalm was likely written during a time when David was physically separated from the Tabernacle due to enemies or exile, yet longed to worship God there, highlighting that true worship comes from a heart humbled by mercy and filled with reverent fear, not just physical presence.
c. 1050 BC
Establishment of the Tabernacle at Shiloh
The Ark of the Covenant and the Tabernacle, the central place of Israel's worship, were established at Shiloh, serving as God's dwelling place among His people.
c. 1010 BC
David Captures Jerusalem
David conquered Jerusalem and brought the Ark of the Covenant to the city, establishing it as the political and religious capital of Israel.
c. 1005 BC
David's Sin with Bathsheba
David committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged for her husband Uriah's death, a grave sin that brought severe consequences.
c. 1005 BC
Nathan Confronts David
The prophet Nathan confronted David with his sin, leading to David's deep repentance and the writing of Psalm 51.
c. 1005 BC— this verse
David's Repentance and Plea
In Psalm 5, David, facing adversaries and reflecting on his sin, expresses his desire to approach God's presence with reverence and trust in His mercy.
c. 970 BC
Solomon Builds the First Temple
David's son Solomon fulfilled his father's desire by building a magnificent permanent Temple in Jerusalem to house the Ark of the Covenant.
This passage shows Samuel worshipping 'toward the temple of the Lord' before the Ark was housed there, echoing David's act of worshipping toward the sanctuary even when the Tabernacle was his 'house'.
Daniel 6:10Daniel's practice of praying with his windows open toward Jerusalem, even in exile, parallels David's resolve to worship 'toward thy holy temple,' demonstrating a persistent devotion to God's dwelling place regardless of physical proximity.
1 Kings 8:22Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the Temple highlights the importance of looking toward the sanctuary for prayer, reinforcing the idea in Psalms 5:7 that worshipping 'toward' the holy place is a legitimate and meaningful act.
Hebrews 12:28This New Testament passage speaks of receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken and worshipping God 'with reverence and awe,' aligning with the Psalmist's intention to worship 'in thy fear' because of God's abundant steadfast love.
wesleyPsalms 5:7: "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."
5:7 Come - With holy boldness and confidence. Mercy - Trusting only in thy great mercy. Fear - With an holy dread and reverence of thy majesty. Towards - Looking towards it, when I cannot come to it.
ellicottPsalms 5:7: "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."
(7) House . . . temple. —These words must certainly be taken literally, and not, as Hupfeld suggests, metaphorically, or in a spiritual sense with reference to Psalm 5:4 . The reference to worship hardly allows the rendering palace, though the derivation of the Hebrew word permits it. No doubt either explanation is possible; but neither would have been su…
The phrase "in the multitude of your steadfast love" isn't just about God's overwhelming affection; it highlights that David's approach to God's presence is entirely dependent on this boundless mercy. This isn't about earning entrance, but recognizing that access to God's "house" is a gift, made possible and sustained by God's constant, abundant kindness, even in the face of enemies.
The Psalmist contrasts his own desire to approach God with the enemies' exclusion, highlighting how God's immense mercy grants him access to worship in His presence. Even when physically distant or facing adversaries, he resolves to approach God's dwelling place and worship toward the sacred tent of meeting with reverent awe. This longing is rooted in God's abundant love and faithfulness, which enables even a flawed person to draw near to the holy God.
The Psalmist contrasts his own desire to approach God with the enemies' exclusion, highlighting how God's immense mercy grants him access to worship in His presence. Even when physically distant or facing adversaries, he resolves to approach God's dwelling place and worship toward the sacred tent of meeting with reverent awe. This longing is rooted in God's abundant love and faithfulness, which enables even a flawed person to draw near to the holy God.
"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." — The phrase "in the multitude of your steadfast love" isn't just about God's overwhelming affection; it highlights that David's approach to God's presence is entirely dependent on this boundless mer…
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Last reviewed October 2026