David’s prayers have a lot of repetition to them, but even in studying what seems on the surface to be another verse of the same, we can learn new and reinforce old truths. His requests for protection and intervention are tempered with the knowledge that regardless of his need, only the Lord truly satisfies.
Verses 1-5
David opens the psalm with a request for God to hear his prayer and reminds God of his righteousness. He states his cause is just and his lips are free of deceit.
Verses 6-9
David makes three requests of the Lord.
- Listen to his words
- Display the wonders of His love
- Protect Him from his enemies
David bases all of his petitions on two things mentioned in verses 6 and 7.
- He knows God will answer him
- God saves all those who seek refuge in Him
No matter what he faces, David knows he can relax in God’s faithfulness.
Verses 10-12
David describes his enemy as one with a hard heart, determined and eager to destroy him.
Verses 13-14
David pleads with God to intervene on his behalf. He asks God to save him with His sword. This brings to mind violent action. A battle to the death. But David also prays for God to save him with His hand. This implies protection and gentleness.
Our God is a united, complex grouping of seeming opposites. He is holy yet full of grace. He is a God of righteous vengeance, yet full of love and gentle as a parent is with a child.
Verses 14 and 15 show a contrast. The men of the world have only a portion in this life which they leave behind for their children when they die.
Verse 15
David’s portion, however, is the Lord. Only the company of God satisfies his longings. Earthly things pass away, but our relationship with God is eternal. It is this relationship we should seek to cultivate.
This post is Day 17 of the 31 Days of Journaling through the Psalms series. If you would like to read the first post, Psalm 1: The Wise and the Wicked, click here. The introduction to the series can be found here.
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