A Prayer for Deliverance and Guidance
A casual reading of this psalm of David gives us the emotions that he is feeling as he writes. He is being “persecuted” by an enemy who desires his destruction. He feels “crushed,” weighed down by his troubles. There is “darkness” all around him, his situation seems hopeless. He is “overwhelmed” and his heart is “distressed” to the point of despair (3-4). What does David do in these distressing circumstances? He cries out to the Lord in prayer.
David begins by calling out to God for His grace (1-6). He expects an answer because God is faithful to His covenant people (1). He understands that no person is righteous before God (2). He continues by laying out his heart before the Lord. He is in deep trouble from an enemy who wishes to kill him, and he lacks the strength to continue (3-4). Yet, he does not give himself over to despair but turns to God’s word and “remembers,” “meditates,” and “muses” upon the works of God (5). This reflection causes him to fall down on his knees and pray all the more earnestly (6). David knows what he needs more than anything is God Himself (6).
David continues his prayer asking God to act on his behalf (7-12). David makes four requests of God and gives reasons he is confident in asking for these things. He asks God to teach him the way he should live (8), for God to deliver him from his enemies (9), to teach him God’s will (10), and that he would be Spirit led (10). He is confident because he trusts in God (8), he takes refuge in God (9), and God is his God (10). Brethren, this is the attitude and confidence of a servant of God (12).