The Meaning of Psalms 5:1 Explained

Psalms 5:1

KJV: {To the chief Musician upon Nehiloth, A Psalm of David.} Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation.

YLT: To the Overseer, 'Concerning the Inheritances.' -- A Psalm of David. My sayings hear, O Jehovah, Consider my meditation.

Darby: {To the chief Musician. Upon Nehiloth. A Psalm of David.} Give ear to my words, O Jehovah; consider my meditation.

ASV: Give ear to my words, O Jehovah, Consider my meditation.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

{{To the chief Musician  upon Nehiloth,  A Psalm  of David.  }} Give ear  to my words,  O LORD,  consider  my meditation. 

What does Psalms 5:1 Mean?

Study Notes

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

Context Summary

Psalms 5:1-12 - Protection From The Wicked
The ordering of prayer is very necessary, Genesis 22:9. Our Lord's prayer should be our model. Often our words need to be supplemented by our meditations; that is, we must make room for the "groanings which cannot be uttered," but which the Spirit understands, Romans 8:26-27. Distinct from either of these is the urgent ejaculation for aid which is here described as the voice of my cry, Psalms 5:2. As soon as we awake, let us speak to God. We must keep watch for the answer, Psalms 5:3, r.v. How many answers we miss, because we get tired of waiting for the return of our ships!
Note the seven expressions for the ungodly, Psalms 5:4-7. As for me-the chief of sinners, but see 1 Corinthians 15:10. The Jew in prayer turned toward the Temple, Psalms 5:7; Daniel 6:10. Here the Tabernacle, which preceded it, stood for the same, 1 Samuel 1:9. We look to the Most Holy Place, whither Jesus has entered, Hebrews 10:19.
The ungodly are specially characterized by sins of speech, Psalms 5:9. Wicked men are like sepulchers, which exhale pestilential odors. Their doom is inevitable. Notice the combination of trust, love, and joy, Psalms 5:11. [source]

Chapter Summary: Psalms 5

1  David prays, and professes his study in prayer
4  God favors not the wicked
7  David, professing his faith, prays to God to guide him
10  to destroy his enemies
11  and to preserve the godly

What do the individual words in Psalms 5:1 mean?

To the Chief Musician with flutes a Psalm of David To my words Give ear Yahweh Consider my meditation
לַמְנַצֵּ֥חַ אֶֽל־ הַנְּחִיל֗וֹת מִזְמ֥וֹר לְדָוִֽד אֲמָרַ֖י הַאֲזִ֥ינָה ׀ יְהוָ֗ה בִּ֣ינָה הֲגִֽיגִי

לַמְנַצֵּ֥חַ  To  the  Chief  Musician 
Parse: Preposition-l, Article, Verb, Piel, Participle, masculine singular
Root: נָצַח  
Sense: to excel, be bright, be preeminent, be perpetual, be overseer, be enduring.
הַנְּחִיל֗וֹת  flutes 
Parse: Article, Noun, feminine plural
Root: נְחִילֹות  
Sense: meaning uncertain.
מִזְמ֥וֹר  a  Psalm 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִזְמֹור  
Sense: melody, psalm.
לְדָוִֽד  of  David 
Parse: Preposition-l, Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: דָּוִד  
Sense: youngest son of Jesse and second king of Israel.
אֲמָרַ֖י  To  my  words 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, first person common singular
Root: אֵמֶר 
Sense: utterance, speech, word, saying, promise, command.
הַאֲזִ֥ינָה ׀  Give  ear 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperative, masculine singular, third person feminine singular
Root: אָזַן  
Sense: to hear, listen.
יְהוָ֗ה  Yahweh 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: יהוה 
Sense: the proper name of the one true God.
בִּ֣ינָה  Consider 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperative, masculine singular, third person feminine singular
Root: בִּין  
Sense: to discern, understand, consider.
הֲגִֽיגִי  my  meditation 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: הָגִיג  
Sense: whisper, musing, murmuring.