The main theme of Scripture is the righteousness of God being birthed in man. The writer of Hebrews wants to teach Christians about this, but even he says,

¹¹ Concerning ^[a]him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. ¹² For though ^[b]by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you ^(A)the ^[c](B)elementary principles of the ^(C)oracles of God, and you have come to need ^(D)milk and not solid food. ¹³ For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an ^(E)infant. ¹⁴ But solid food is for ^(F)the mature, who because of practice have their senses ^(G)trained to^(H)discern good and evil. (Hebrews 5:11-14)

I call this “word of righteousness” the “teaching about righteousness” and consider it to be the most important doctrine in all of Scripture except, of course, for the elementary doctrines of Hebrews 6 and the all-important one of “faith in Jesus Christ,” for no one comes to the Father (God) except through him. If we have not faith in Jesus, then all is vanity and loss. In that case nothing else matters, for we would not be able to complete our life’s journey.

Many of the prophetic psalms relate directly with the teaching about righteousness. In the psalms we learn that justice and righteousness form the very foundation of God’s throne, God’s rule. All that God does is founded upon his intrinsic righteousness (rightness of thought and way) and implemented with his justice (righteousness applied in the world of men). Think of righteousness as the plumb line which defines all truth, all that is good in the mind and heart of God. Righteousness defines the relationship between God and man. Then consider justice as the measuring line, the measure of straightness and rightness of all thought and actions between man and man. Just as righteousness and justice comprise the foundation of God’s throne so shall these two concepts define the rule of God’s overcomers upon the earth.

But one is not fit to rule unless he comes to understand this truth and begins to hunger and thirst for God’s righteousness and justice to fill and perfect him. Many of the psalms deal directly with this theme and Psalm 5 is the first to describe the doctrine in detail.

First, consider how David begins:

To the choirmaster: for the flutes. A Psalm of David.

[1]Give ear to my words, O Lord;
consider my groaning.
[2] Give attention to the sound of my cry,
my King and my God,
for to you do I pray. (ESV)

Why is David groaning? Why is he crying? Why is he praying?  He goes on, saying,

[3] O Lord, in the morning you hear my voice;
in the morning I prepare a sacrifice for you and watch. (ESV)

The King James Version says, “My voice shalt thou hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning will I direct my prayer unto thee, and will look up.” (Psalms 5:3 KJV) But, in the King James Version the words “my prayer” are in italics showing that these words are not in the original Hebrew text. Neither do the words “a sacrifice” appear in the Hebrew text as translated in the English Standard Version. The word that does appear is the word ‘arak which means “to set in a row, i.e. arrange, put in order.” David says that in the morning he will “put (his life) in order” as he “peers into the distance” looking for his Savior. Again, though, why does he say this? What is so wrong that he must groan, cry, pray, and look expectantly for God? He tells us,

[4] For you are not a God who delights in wickedness;
evil may not dwell with you.
[5] The boastful shall not stand before your eyes;
you hate all evildoers.
[6] You destroy those who speak lies;
the Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.  (Psalm 5:4-6)

David does not want to be considered wicked, evil, boastful, an evildoer, a liar, or a bloodthirsty or deceitful man. But, he knows himself. He knows his propensity to sin. Therefore he mourns his carnal mortality. This is why he groans, cries, and prays to God! He is one of whom Jesus speaks when he says, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted,” and “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven,” and “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled” in Matthew 5:3-6.

David also understands God’s mercy and says,

[7] But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple.

David makes the conscious effort to choose good instead of evil. He has learned good and evil; now he chooses good. “But as for me,” he says, “I will not choose the ways of the wicked, evil, boastful, lying, bloodthirsty or deceitful man. Instead, I will come into your house and I will worship you in fear. David thus prays,

[8] Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness;
because of my enemies
make your way straight before me.

He repudiates the way of the sinner and chooses the way of God. This is the teaching about righteousness! And for good reason does David choose God’s way,

[9] For there is no truth in their mouth;
their inmost self is destruction;
their throat is an open grave;
they flatter with their tongue.  (Ps. 5:9)

Then David prays for judgment to finally come upon all  these who reject God’s ways.

[10] Make them bear their guilt, O God;
let them fall by their own counsels;
because of the abundance of their transgressions cast them out [into the outer darkness where there will weeping and gnashing of teeth until they learn to repent of their sins],
for they have rebelled against you.

And he proclaims God’s blessing upon all who walk in his ways, upon all who take that narrow path of learning his righteous ways and walking in them. These are those who learn, understand, and walk in the teaching about righteousness, the ones who truly want to be perfect even as their Father in heaven is perfect. They are God’s overcomers.

[11] But let all who take refuge in you rejoice;
let them ever sing for joy,
and spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may exult in you.
[12] For you bless the righteous, O Lord;
you cover him with favor as with a shield.

Amen!