Lead Me in Your Righteousness
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. Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way straight before my face.
David realized that for mortal, sinful humans to come into the presence of the immortal, holy God requires great mercy. He approached God with deep reverence and worship—from a word that literally means to prostrate oneself.
Then he asked for God’s guidance in the midst of obstacles and enemies. “This prayer has two components. On the one hand, he prays for the Lord’s presence to guide him by leveling the obstacles from the way of life (cf. 27:11). On the other hand, he prays for the Lord to show himself righteous because his divine order is challenged by the ungodly” (Zondervan NIV Bible Commentary note on Psalm 5:8-9).
For more on how God leads and guides us in righteousness, see our article “Christ in Us: How Does He Live in You?”
