Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies; make your way straight before me.  (Psalm 5:8)

David’s enemies were speaking lies about him.  He prayed for God’s guidance so that he would not stumble and fall.

He had been serving King Saul faithfully.  But Saul’s men lied about David to the king (v 4-6, 9-10).  Saul himself was jealous of David’s success.

Yet David behaved himself wisely and was successful in all he did (1 Sam 18:5, 14, 15, 30).  This was repeated four times in this chapter.  Why?  The Lord was with him (v 14).

David began the day with prayer.  He directed his groaning to the Lord.  He offered sacrifices of praise and worship (v 1-3, 7).

He would not return evil for evil.  Instead, he prayed for God’s guidance to direct his heart and to conduct himself in the way of God’s righteousness and laws.

He asked the Lord to make His way clear so that he could follow through the Lord’s direction.

When you are being slandered, or when injustice is done to you, commit your ways to the Lord.  Ask for His guidance to walk in the path of His righteousness.

(MT)