A prayer of David.
1 O LORD, hear my plea for justice. Listen to my cry for help. Pay attention to my prayer, for it comes from an honest heart.
2 Declare me innocent, for you know those who do right.
3 You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night. You have scrutinized me and found nothing amiss, for I am determined not to sin in what I say.
4 I have followed your commands, which have kept me from going along with cruel and evil people.
5 My steps have stayed on your path; I have not wavered from following you.
6 I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray.
7 Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways. You save with your strength those who seek refuge from their enemies.
8 Guard me as the apple of your eye. Hide me in the shadow of your wings.
9 Protect me from wicked people who attack me, from murderous enemies who surround me.
10 They are without pity. Listen to their boasting.
11 They track me down, surround me, and throw me to the ground.
12 They are like hungry lions, eager to tear me apart-- like young lions in hiding, waiting for their chance.
13 Arise, O LORD! Stand against them and bring them to their knees! Rescue me from the wicked with your sword!
14 Save me by your mighty hand, O LORD, from those whose only concern is earthly gain. May they have their punishment in full. May their children inherit more of the same, and may the judgment continue to their children's children.
15 But because I have done what is right, I will see you. When I awake, I will be fully satisfied, for I will see you face to face.
2 comments:
Starts out amazing! I can hardly imagine the thought of our Father in heaven bending down to listen as I pray and guarding me as the apple of His eye.
However, I was a little perplexed by David's request at the end about wishing demise on his enemies children and their children.
Father, I trust You in all things. Help me reconcile my confusion. Thank You for being our Father and truly listening when we call.
In Christ,
cas
6 I am praying to you because I know you will answer, O God. Bend down and listen as I pray.
7 Show me your unfailing love in wonderful ways. You save with your strength those who seek refuge from their enemies.
It's easy to imagine a great big gentle father stooping down from on high to listen to a child, but its alot harder to imagine that God does that for me. But I know He does, and for that grace I am eternally thankful.
cas, I agree, it certainly seems out of character for a Godly man to ask for continuation of vengeance, but I think it seems like its in character for David and his few flaws. When he errs, he errs as a soldier and a fighter, and this sort of request falls in line with a warriors request on the battlefield to bring ill to further children. ("I'll hit so and so hard enough their grandchildren will feel it"--and so forth)
Father, grant us all a productive and faithful day in Your word. Let us act according to Your will and be an example to those around us.
In Jesus name,
Amen
crb
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