Once again David pens a lament, bringing his concerns to the Lord. Crying out for deliverance.
Verses 1-2
David begins by questioning God’s attention and favor. This opening is especially interesting from a psychological point of view as it connects the emotional to the physical and spiritual. David asks God how long he must endure anxious thoughts and the agony of the mind. As a person who has struggled with an overactive mind, panic attacks, fear, and anxiety, I understand his particular torment.
Verses 3-4
What’s interesting is David’s solution. Part of the plan is the removal of his enemies, the source of his distress. This would be my plan too, and likely where my prayer would end. But this is not the emphasis of David’s prayer. He asks for God to “restore the brightness to his eyes.” He desires for God to look upon him in favor and return joy to his spirit. David recognizes his emotions are interwoven with his spiritual state.
Verses 5-6
Verses 5 and 6 close with a hopeful proclamation for the future. This assumes an answer to his prayer. The verses are in a modified if/then format. Because he has put his trust in God, then he will rejoice in his deliverance. He will sing to the Lord. Why? Because the Lord has treated him generously.
To David, the situation was a done deal He trusted his past experience to inform his present circumstance. God had been faithful to David in the past. He would be faithful to him in the future as well.
This post is Day 13 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.
To receive email reminders of new posts, please subscribe. As a thank you, you will receive a free ebook, The Wonder Woman’s Manifesto.