Bible Study at Home

David begins his cry to God by first stating that his confidence is in the LORD. He asks God to hear his prayer, begging Him to “bow down His ear.” As a good father will stoop down and listen to his children, so God stoops down to hear us, His children. Through his description of God’s protective nature, it is clear that David places great confidence in God. He commits his spirit into God’s hand, acknowledging and resting in His complete control over whether David lives or dies. In the middle of the Psalm, David begins to describe the hardships that he is facing. He is honest with the Lord, admitting his grief and weakness. The enemies that are persecuting David are doing so with their mouths. Through slander, they have made him a reproach or laughing stock among his own people. Those closest to him flee to avoid being associated with him. The attention of David’s heart turns from his great troubles to his great God. No matter what may come his way, nothing happens outside of God’s control. The psalmist remembers the goodness of God toward His people. He will be safe with the Lord. The despair that he felt in the moment of hardship was rash and unfounded, because God heard David’s prayer. Finally, we, the readers of this Psalm, are directly challenged to love the LORD. We are to love Him on account of His providence toward us, and His just punishment for the wicked. Those of us that hope in the Lord God have every reason to be of good courage and of a strong heart in the midst of adversity.