Psalms 5:5

The foolish shall not stand in thy sight: thou hatest all workers of iniquity.

Psalms 5:5 (KJV)

Context

Psalm 5 is a morning prayer by King David, asking God for guidance and protection from enemies. David trusts God’s righteousness and justice. In this setting, verse 5 declares that the foolish cannot stand before God and that He hates all workers of iniquity.

Meaning

The word “foolish” does not mean lacking intelligence. It describes people who reject God’s wisdom and live against His commands. Such persons are morally wicked and ungodly. The phrase “shall not stand in thy sight” means they cannot remain or endure in God’s presence; they are excluded from His favour.

The verse also says God “hatest all workers of iniquity.” This is a strong statement of God’s moral opposition to sin. God is love (1 John 4:8) and desires all to repent (2 Peter 3:9), yet His holiness cannot tolerate evil. “Workers of iniquity” are those who actively practice sin and deliberately oppose God’s righteousness.

Biblical connections

The surrounding verses (Psalm 5:4-6) contrast God’s nature: He takes no pleasure in wickedness, destroys those who speak lies, and abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful. This context shows that God’s hatred of iniquity is not random anger but a holy response to evil.

Application

This verse calls believers to examine their lives and turn away from foolishness and iniquity. It warns that unrepentant sin brings separation from God. Yet through Christ, who bore God’s judgment for sin, believers can stand before God not in their own righteousness but in His.

Reflection

God’s holiness and justice are serious. They remind us to approach Him with reverence and to rely on His mercy. The same God who hates sin also provides a way of forgiveness, so that those who trust in Him may dwell in His presence.