Psalms 5:8

Lead me; direct my heart, and counsels, and affairs, and all the course and actions of my life. In thy righteousness; in thy righteous laws; which sometimes are called righteousness, as Psalms 119:172 Matthew 3:15. Or, for, or because of, or according to thy righteousness; which is a phrase and argument frequently used in this Book of Psalms. Because of mine enemies; either,

1. That I may give them no occasion of slandering me, or religion for my sake. Or rather,

2. Because they are most malicious and mischievous, and withal cunning and treacherous, as he describes them in the next verse, (which he useth as an argument to enforce this petition,) and they lay snares for me, and if thou dost not assist me, will be too hard for me, and will triumph over me; which will reflect dishonour upon thee also. Thy way, i.e. the way wherein thou wouldst have me to walk, or the course which thou wouldst have me to take; for God's precepts or counsels are most commonly called his way. Straight, or plain, or smooth, that I may clearly discern it, and readily walk in it, without mistake, or let, or stumbling, or offence. This was a needful request, because many good men are oft at a loss what their duty is in several circumstances. And God granted this request to David, as in many other things, so in this, that he should not cut off Saul when he had opportunity and instigation to do it, 1Sa 24 1Sa 26, but that he should wait till God took him away. Before my face; to my view and for my walk; for men walk forward, not backward.