God’s Heart For The PoorSýnishorn

The Divine Rescuer

In this psalm David is pleading with God for divine deliverance from his enemies. He claims that God is his bodyguard against those who want to attack and kill him. David calls for God to claim retribution from his enemies. Then David promises to praise God in response!

“Who is like you, Lord?” is David’s rhetorical question. There’s an obvious answer—no one is like our God! God is unique and David proceeds to give several examples of why. The first reason he states is that God rescues the poor from their oppressors and robbers. He is concerned for the well-being of the poor and needy.

David’s readers were familiar with the gods and rulers of other nations. There was no way for them to help the poor and needy. They were fickle in their dealings with the subjects. One day they may care and the next they rule in harsh judgment over the poor.

The God of Israel is superior. “Who is like you, Lord?” He is all powerful, yet rules with mercy. He is ready to rescue the poor from those who are too strong for them and the needy from those who rob them. He uses His power to benefit the powerless. He is their champion!