Worship: A Study in PsalmsSample

What does it say?

Enemies continually oppressed Israel. The psalmist called on God’s mercy, urging Israel to put their hope in God’s Word and unfailing love. David, too, humbly hoped in the Lord.

What does it mean?

Psalms 129 and 130 were more than likely written by Hezekiah 300 years after David, as a young shepherd, penned Psalm 131. King Hezekiah’s prayers concerned two threats to Israel – enemies from outside her gates and sin within the nation itself. The placement of David’s short psalm directly after Hezekiah’s cry of desperation is not coincidental; his intercession even borrowed from young David’s words, “O Israel, put your hope in the Lord.” Israel needed the same humility before the Lord that had been evident in her greatest king. Their righteous and merciful God was – and is – the only one who could protect and redeem them.

How should I respond?

How often do you pray on behalf of our nation? We need godly intercessors as never before. Like Israel in Hezekiah’s day, we’re reminded daily of nations whose hatred of our country drives them to seek our destruction. Our citizens' arrogance and blatant rebellion against God and His Word are equally devastating. God’s love is unfailing, but His righteous, holy nature will not tolerate sin. His mercy and forgiveness are our only hope. Let’s unite in our desire for our nation, “O America, put your hope in the Lord!”