5:8 Essentially what David asked for was guidance in the righteous path God trod; he did not want to walk in the way of the wicked (vv. 4-6; cf. Ps. 1). He wanted to see the righteous way to live clearly so he would not wander from it. Departure from it was a possibility because of the influence of the wicked.
5:9 David mentioned a few of the sins of the wicked. They were untrustworthy in their speech. They determined to destroy rather than to edify. Their words led to death, and they were deceitful flatterers (cf. Rom. 3:13).
5:10 The king asked God to hold the wicked guilty rather than let them escape the consequences of their sins. He asked that they be snared in their own traps, and that they be thrust out, probably from their positions of influence and even ultimately from God's presence. This was a legitimate request because they had rebelled against the King in heaven in behaving contrary to His will.
5:11-12 On the other hand those who love God can count on His blessing and protection. They will respond to His care with joyful singing in praise of Him.31"Thy name,"an expression found over 100 times in the Psalter, refers to the character and attributes of God as He has revealed these to human beings.
God's people should seek God's help in prayer diligently so we may perceive and walk in God's ways of righteousness. When we do so walk, we will experience His joy, protection, and fellowship rather than sharing the fate of the wicked.32
