The bible from which I’ve read this Psalm has been mine for over 40 years. Roughly half the lines in this Psalm have been underlined, and three sections have been starred. I can’t remember the exact circumstances of my life at the time I made these markings, but I know God must have moved on me as I first read it.
At first glance, this Psalm may strike one as primarily a cry of desperation or a plea for deliverance. While it’s possible these may have played a part in its inspiration, we learn this Psalm is about a lot more.
The Psalmist asks of God to hear, answer, guard, save, have mercy, bring joy, teach, give an undivided heart, grant strength, and give a sign of His goodness. What a list of requests! But the Psalmist also shares the needs behind these requests; needs I know I’ve felt; needs we can all relate to: we’re poor and needy, we want to be faithful, and we want God to be glorified in our lives.
As I read this Psalm as a prayer, I’m reminded of the confidence in which we can go to God with our needs. He is our God. We can trust him. We’re welcome to call on Him any time. We can bare our soul to Him. He is forgiving and good; compassionate and gracious; slow to anger. He will answer us. There is none like Him. He loves us.
In rereading this Psalm, I now feel the need to underline and star verses 12 and 13. “I will praise you, O Lord my God, with all my heart. I will glorify your name forever. For great is your love for me.”
Rejoice Christ City Church!
- Lynn Pace