Worship: A Study in PsalmsSample

What does it say?

David asked God to give ear to his prayer, see what was right, and save him by His hand.

What does it mean?

David was likely running from Saul again when he penned this prayer. He used the imagery of the human body to describe the actions of his enemy, his response, and his requests of the Lord. None of David’s companions would have thought twice if he slandered Saul or tried to take revenge, but David kept his integrity intact because he was determined to follow God’s Word. Although God’s personal likeness was a mystery to David, as it is to everyone, he was confident that the Lord could hear his prayer, see what was right, speak the truth, and save him by His hand.

How should I respond?

Since childhood, we’ve been told repeatedly that two wrongs don’t make a right, and most of us would agree that it’s true. When someone has hurt us, however, it can momentarily feel good to get back at that person. We can be guilty of taking things into our own hands rather than trusting the hand of the Lord. We use our lips to cut them down instead of following words that come from the mouth of God Himself. Who has hurt you deeply? Look back over this prayer of David and pray it regarding that situation. It’s possible to handle hurt with integrity when you wait on God for vindication.