<> Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my {a} meditation.

(a) That is, my vehement prayer and secret complaint and sighings.

Wesley's Notes

5:1 Meditation - My prayer accompanied with deep thoughts and fervent affections of soul.

Scofield Reference Notes

[1] Nehiloth

Nehiloth is not a musical instrument, but means "inheritance," and indicates the character of the Psalm. The righteous are the Lord's inheritance.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

PSALM 5

Ps 5:1-12. Upon Nehiloth-flutes or wind instruments. The writer begs to be heard, on the ground of God's regard for His covenant-people and true worshippers as contrasted with His holy hatred to the wicked. He prays for divine guidance, on account of his watchful, malignant, and deceitful enemies; and for their destruction as being also God's enemies. At the same time he expresses his confidence that God will extend aid to His people.

1. meditation-moanings of that half-uttered form to which deep feeling gives rise-groanings, as in Ro 8:26, 27.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

5:1-6 God is a prayer-hearing God. Such he has always been, and he is still as ready to hear prayer as ever. The most encouraging principle of prayer, and the most powerful plea in prayer, is, to look upon him as our King and our God. David also prays to a sin-hating God. sin is folly, and sinners are the greatest of all fools; fools of their own making. Wicked people hate God; justly are they hated of him, and this will be their endless misery and ruin. Let us learn the importance of truth and sincerity, in all the affairs of life. Liars and murderers resemble the devil, and are his children, therefore it may well be expected that God should abhor them. These were the characters of David's enemies; and such as these are still the enemies of Christ and his people.