Over the last week or so, I have been contemplating and meditating on Psalm 5. I have also been reading The Treasury of David by Charles Spurgeon along with it. Spurgeon was a preacher from the late 19th century in England. His work is wonderful! Anyway, Psalm 5 is a short psalm that reflects many of the same ideas found in other psalms. David is asking God to hear his prayer, kill his enemies and he sings praises to God. This morning, I was reflecting on the 7th verse of the Psalm and there were a few things that struck me in this verse. David is coming before God, seeking and waiting on Him. He has confessed that God hates evil and the those who are deceitful will not be allowed in God’s presence. Then he says,

But I, by your great mercy, will come into your house; in reverence will I bow down toward your holy temple --Psalms 5:7

However, he is allowed to enter God’s presence, His house. As we reflect this Holy week on the cross and resurrection, we understand that we too are allowed to enter God’s house.
But notice the manner in which David enters the presence of God. He comes by means of God’s mercy. It is not on his own merit that enters, it is only through the grace and mercy of God. The Hebrew word for mercy (chesed) is literally, kindness, compassion, love. It is many times undeserved. This is common word in the OT and is used some 244 times.
David also comes in reverence. That word in Hebrew (yir’a) is most commonly translated fear. So David is coming to God in a sort of reverent fear. He does not mean that he thinks God will smash him, but rather he is respectful of God’s holiness vs. his sin.
As I reflect on this, I consider the ways in which we approach God. Sure, he suffered on the cross so that his grace would cover our sins. He loves us very much, so much that he entered this world for us. But his coming for us should not lead to pride. Rather, it should lead to an attitude of reverence.
I too often strut in the presence of God when I should be bowing. I too often sashay into his house and ask him for what I think I need. As I reflect on this verse, I am overwhelmed by God’s love for me, but I am also reminded that my coming to him is most appropriate when I come with a full understanding of my unworthiness and His holiness. When I come in this manner, I am able to truly worship.
Notice, David continues this theme through the remainder of the Psalm. I hope you will spend some time mediating on it.

Here is the entire Psalm:

Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing. (2) Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. (3) In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation. (4) You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell. (5) The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong. (6) You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors. (7) But I, by your great mercy, will come into your house; in reverence will I bow down toward your holy temple. (8) Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies — make straight your way before me. (9) Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with destruction. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongue they speak deceit. (10) Declare them guilty, O God! Let their intrigues be their downfall. Banish them for their many sins, for they have rebelled against you. (11) But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. (12) For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield. --Psalms 5:1-12