Psalms 5:7
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)
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What's striking here is how David contrasts his own approach to God's presence with that of his enemies. While they are excluded by their wickedness, he enters "in the multitude of your steadfast love," not because he's perfect, but because God's abundant mercy allows him access. He then worships not just in God's house, but toward the holy temple, signifying a deep reverence and reliance on God's presence, even when he cannot physically enter the innermost sanctuary.
The psalmist contrasts himself with the wicked, who are banished from God's presence. He expresses his longing to enter God's dwelling, relying not on his own merit but on God's abundant mercy. Even if physically distant, he will worship facing the sacred dwelling place, showing deep reverence.
David isn't just walking into any building; he's approaching the very presence of God. How can he be so bold?
The Psalmist's confidence isn't rooted in his own worthiness but in God's incredible, overflowing mercy. He acknowledges that access to God's house – whether the Tabernacle or, in a spiritual sense, God's presence – is entirely a gift. It's a 'multitude' of mercy, emphasizing its vastness and abundance.
This means our approach to God isn't about earning our way in. It's about recognizing that God's goodness far outweighs our failings, and through that mercy, we are welcomed. This isn't a one-time entry; it's the foundation for all our worship and communion with Him.
David bows in God's house, but what kind of 'fear' is this? It's not terror, but something far more profound.
The verse speaks of worshipping 'in thy fear.' This isn't a paralyzing dread but a reverent awe of God's immense holiness and majesty. It’s an understanding that you are in the presence of the Almighty, the Creator of all things.
This holy fear compels us to bow down, to prostrate ourselves in humility. It’s an outward expression of an inner realization: we are finite creatures before an infinite God. This reverence is essential, even when we feel close to God; it guards against casualness and maintains the sacredness of our worship.
Why 'toward' your holy temple? What does this direction signify for how and where we worship?
In ancient Israel, worship was directed toward the Tabernacle, the earthly dwelling place of God's presence. Even if physically unable to enter the inner sanctuary, worshippers would orient themselves toward it. This act symbolized their focus on God, acknowledging His presence and sovereignty over all things.
For us today, this points to the reality that our worship should always be directed towards God Himself. While we don't have a physical temple in the same way, our worship is focused on the Triune God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Jesus is our true Temple, the place where God's presence dwells fully among us. Our prayers, praise, and devotion are all directed toward Him.
Understand the original words
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 reflects a time when the Ark of the Covenant was not in its original central location in Shiloh, and David, as king in Jerusalem, looked forward to a permanent Temple. The verse speaks to the heart of worship: a response to God's abundant mercy, offered with reverence, even when physical access to the sanctuary is complicated or yet to be fully realized.
c. 1075 BC
Tabernacle Established in Shiloh
The Tabernacle, housing the Ark of the Covenant and serving as the central place of worship, is set up in Shiloh, establishing a focal point for Israel's religious life.
c. 1050 BC
Philistines Capture the Ark
During a battle, the Philistines defeat the Israelites and capture the Ark of the Covenant, taking it from Shiloh and disrupting Israel's access to God's presence.
c. 1047 BC
Ark Returned to Israel
After suffering plagues, the Philistines return the Ark to Israel, but it does not immediately return to Shiloh, residing in various locations like Kiriath-jearim.
c. 1004 BC— this verse
David Captures Jerusalem
King David conquers Jerusalem from the Jebusites and establishes it as his capital city. He then brings the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem, intending it to be the site of a future temple.
This passage describes Samuel entering and ministering in the Tabernacle, God's dwelling place, echoing David's desire to approach God's 'house' despite his circumstances.
1 Kings 8:22Solomon's prayer at the dedication of the Temple highlights the reverence and awe suitable for approaching God's holy dwelling, mirroring the 'fear of you' mentioned in Psalms 5:7.
Daniel 6:10Daniel's consistent practice of praying towards Jerusalem, even when forbidden, parallels David's posture of worship 'toward thy holy temple' when physical access might be difficult or forbidden.
Hebrews 12:28This New Testament passage speaks of receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken and serving God with reverence and awe, reflecting the 'fear of you' and the privilege of worship described in Psalms 5:7.
Luke 18:13The tax collector's humble prayer, 'God, be merciful to me, a sinner!' demonstrates the spirit of self-abasement and reliance on God's mercy that David expresses when approaching God's presence.
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…
What's striking here is how David contrasts his own approach to God's presence with that of his enemies. While they are excluded by their wickedness, he enters "in the multitude of your steadfast love," not because he's perfect, but because God's abundant mercy allows him access. He then worships not just in God's house, but toward the holy temple, signifying a deep reverence and reliance on God's presence, even when he cannot physically enter the innermost sanctuary.
The psalmist contrasts himself with the wicked, who are banished from God's presence. He expresses his longing to enter God's dwelling, relying not on his own merit but on God's abundant mercy. Even if physically distant, he will worship facing the sacred dwelling place, showing deep reverence.
The psalmist contrasts himself with the wicked, who are banished from God's presence. He expresses his longing to enter God's dwelling, relying not on his own merit but on God's abundant mercy. Even if physically distant, he will worship facing the sacred dwelling place, showing deep reverence.
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c. 1000 BC
David Plans for the Temple
David gathers vast resources and plans for the construction of a permanent Temple in Jerusalem, though he is forbidden by God from building it himself.
"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." — What's striking here is how David contrasts his own approach to God's presence with that of his enemies. While they are excluded by their wickedness, he enters "in the multitude of your steadfast lov…
