Praying in Times of Trouble

(Psalm 86)

Mike Johnson

Psalm 86:7 says, “In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, for You will answer me.”   This verse is an excellent summation of this Psalm.  The writer is experiencing hardships, although he is not very specific about their nature.  However, verse 14 points out that a group of proud and violent people who had no regard for God were seeking his life.  Yet, amid his trouble, the Psalmist approaches God in prayer with complete confidence that the Lord will be merciful and deliver him.

The title of this Psalm is “A Prayer of David.”  Four other Psalms (17, 90, 102, 142) are also called a prayer of someone.  Psalm 90, for example, is referred to as a prayer of Moses.

Psalm 86 is addressed entirely to God and has elements generally associated with prayer.  They are Petition (1-7, 11, 14-17), Adoration (8-10), and Thanksgiving (12-13).  Although it is a prayer, a strong element of praise runs through it.

David does not give the time frame of when he wrote this Psalm.   Generally, psalms of distress authored by David are assigned by scholars to either the period of his life when he faced difficulties with Saul or his later problems with Absalom.

Appeals & Reasons

(Verses 1-7)

Verses 1-7 says, (1) “Bow down Your ear, O Lord, hear me; for I am poor and needy.  (2) Preserve my life, for I am holy; You are my God; save Your servant who trusts in You!  (3) Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I cry to You all day long.  (4) Rejoice the soul of Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.  (5) For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You. (6) Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.  (7) In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, for You will answer me.”

As we will see, these verses contain a formula.  First, the Psalmist makes a request of God and then gives God a reason why He should fulfill it.  (Note in the text that his repeated use of the word “for” indicates a reason.)  Sometimes, he offers God more than one reason to grant his request.  Consider now David’s requests and the reasons he gives for fulfilling each.

(1)  Hear Me.  Verse 1 Says, “Bow down Your ear, O Lord, hear me; for I am poor and needy.”  The Psalmist starts by acknowledging the One from whom he requests help.  The writer wants God to “bow down” his ear; he asks God for an audience, which shows the Lord’s exalted state.  Picture a person today bending over to hear someone in a lower position.  God doing so has been called a “pleasing condescension” as He is willing to look down and listen to lowly human beings.

The Psalms are full of passages where the petitioners ask God to hear their prayers (Ps. 4:1; 39:12; 80:1-2; 143:1), and they often express confidence that God will listen to them (Ps. 4:3; 38:15).  Sometimes they speak of the Lord not hearing them (Ps. 22:2).   Of course, David does not merely want God to listen to his prayers, but he wants God to respond to his requests.  In Psalm 27:7, he said, “Hear, O Lord, when I cry with my voice!  Have mercy also upon me, and answer me.” David asks God to hear him because there is no other who can.

Consider an event during the life of Elijah where this concept was vividly illustrated, sometimes called “The Contest on Mt. Carmel” (1 Kgs. 18).  Elijah proposed that both he and the prophets of Baal prepare sacrifices but not light the wood underneath.  He then said the “God who answers by fire,” igniting the sacrifice, is the true God.  All day long, the prophets of Baal asked for their god to hear them.  They leaped about and cut themselves, trying to get Baal to respond.  But, “there was no voice; no one answered, no one paid attention” (29).  Next came Elijah’s turn.  He even poured water on the sacrifice and wood, making it harder to ignite.  Finally, he asked God, “Hear me, O Lord, hear me” (37).  Then, the fire came down from heaven and consumed the offering and everything around it, which caused the people to proclaim, “The Lord, He is God” (39).  Unlike Baal, God exists.  We pray to an all-powerful God, and He will hear and respond to our prayers!  In the Psalm, David’s request would not be in vain.

After requesting God to hear him, the writer gives God a reason to listen to him.  He said, “For I am poor and needy” (1b).  This shows why he needed God’s help.  Knowing David’s background, some ask how he could have been poor and needy.  We don’t know the point in his life when he wrote this.  He may have been literally poor at this time.  However, he would have fit this statement because he was humble.  (We also see his humility in verses 2, 4, and 16.)   In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” (Mt. 5:3).  David knew of God’s compassion and love.  Therefore, he says, “Please, listen to my prayers; I need you badly.”

(2)  Preserve My Life/Save Your Servant.  Verse 2 says, “Preserve my life, for I am holy; You are my God; save Your servant who trusts in You!”  David is desperate at this point (Note also 14, 17) and makes his second request, asking God for help and protection from his enemies.  (Some translations render the Hebrew word “soul” instead of “life.”)  The Scriptures teach that God is always there for his servants.  Note Psalm 97:10, which says, “You who love the Lord, hate evil!  He preserves the souls of His saints; He delivers them out of the hand of the wicked.”

Next, he cites reasons for God to grant the request to save his life.  The reasons are: (1) I am holy; (2) You are my God;  (3) as your servant, I trust You.  Some question David referring to himself as “holy” because of the sins we read of him committing in the Scriptures.  Yet, they do not seem to have a problem with him saying that God was his God and he was the Lord’s servant who trusted Him.  The Hebrew word, rendered as “holy” or “saint,” is often found in the Old Testament and refers to God’s people in that dispensation.  David knew he was a sinner and sought to please God in all he did.  According to the text, he was a “servant,” and he trusted God.  Most translations render the phrase “for I am godly.”

Like verse 2, the Bible often cites the qualifications of the petitioners as a factor in God hearing and answering their prayers.

Consider some Old Testament passages.

• “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear” (Ps. 66:18)
• “He will fulfill the desire of those who fear Him; He also will hear their cry and save them” (Ps. 145:19).
• “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (2 Chron. 7:14).

Likewise, consider some New Testament passages.

• “Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him” (Jn. 9:31).
• “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil” (1 Pet.   3:12).
• “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”  (James 5:16)
• “And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (1 Jn. 3:22)

Consider the next appeal.

(3)  Be Merciful to Me.  In verse 3, he implores, “Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I cry to You all day long.”  He now asks for mercy, which God would show by preserving his life.  Earlier, the writer said he was holy, which might seem contradictory to some.  But holy people, those devoted to God, still need the Lord’s mercy.

The Psalmist was in dire need of God’s pity and compassion.  The Hebrew word translated as “mercy” (NKJV) is sometimes rendered as “gracious” or “have pity.”  In Psalms, God’s mercy is frequently asked for (26:11; 27:7; 41:10).  Consider specifically David’s poignant cry in Psalm 51:1: “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the multitude of Your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.”

The reason cited for God hearing this request is “For I cry to you all day long” (3b).  This statement tells us he prayed consistently, regularly, and daily — no doubt at least several times a day.  Further, he did not stop and pursue other courses of action.

The Scriptures tell us elsewhere that we should also pray regularly.  1 Thessalonians 5:17 encourages us to “pray without ceasing.”  Romans 12:12 teaches Christians are to be “continuing steadfastly in prayer.” Colossians 4:2 says, “Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving.” Finally, (Lk. 18:1-8) Jesus presented the “Parable of the Persistent Widow” to teach us “that men always ought to pray and not lose heart.” (Note also Mt. 7:7; 1 Tim.  2:8; Jas.  5:16.)

Thus, David asks for mercy; he needs God’s help.  He speaks of his persistence in prayer as a reason for God to help him.

(4)  Bring Joy to My Soul.  In verses 4-5, he requests for God to “bring joy” (NIV) to his soul and then recites various reasons for it.  He pleads, “Rejoice the soul of Your servant, for to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.  For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You.”   Consider a closer look at the reasons he gives for granting this request.

1. I lift up my soul (4b). This statement implies his earnestness, faith, and trust — he lifts his very being to God.  He calls himself God’s “servant,” and only to Him could he call out.  Further, recall earlier in the prayer (2b), he refers to himself as “Your servant who trusts in You!”   Elsewhere, “lifting up” the soul is associated with prayer.  In Psalm 143:8, he said, “ . . . for in You do I trust; cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to You.”  Also, note the correlation of the concepts in Psalm 25:1-2a “To You, O Lord, I lift up my soul.  O my God, I trust in You . . .”  With complete sincerity, he lifts his heart and soul to God, whom he trusted!
2. You are good (5a). God is good!  Elsewhere, Psalm 145:9 states, “The Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all His works.” Some may not understand why a good God allows so much evil.  However, people are free moral agents and not robots.  God never promised that everything would be easy in our lives.  If we think this, we are confusing life on earth with heaven.  Of course, the ultimate way we see God’s goodness is when he sent His Son to die for our sins (Rom. 5:8).
3. You are ready to forgive (5b). Associated with God’s goodness is His willingness to forgive.  The Bible teaches that God wants everyone to be saved (2 Pet. 3:9).  Also, in the Parable of the Lost Sheep (Lk. 15), Jesus taught this principle.  He said that a man has 100 sheep and loses one; the shepherd leaves the ninety-nine to find the lost sheep,  and his friends and neighbors rejoice with him when he finds it.  Then Jesus says, “I say to you that likewise there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine just persons who need no repentance” (7).  Consider another reason cited.
4. You are abundant in mercy for all who call upon you (5c). God’s mercy doesn’t simply exist, but it is abundant.  (The ESV translates as “abounding in steadfast love.”)  However, a condition is attached: “for all who call upon you.”    Thus, His abundant mercy is for those who call upon Him.  (Note also Rom. 10:9-13.)

The Bible connects God’s goodness, mercy, and readiness to forgive in other places besides verse 5.  Consider, for example, Exodus 34:6-7.  “The Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin . . .”

Thus, David is asking God to help him — to bring joy to his soul.  Why should he do so?  David says it is because I lift up my soul to You; You are good, ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy.

(5)  Give Ear/Attend to My Voice.  Verses 6-7 say,  “Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.  In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, for You will answer me.”   He uses synonymous parallelism in these verses, saying the same thing twice but using different words.  He says to “give ear” and “attend to his voice.”  Further, he wanted God to answer his “prayer” and “supplications.”  In verse 1, he asked God to “Bow down your ear, O Lord, hear me.”  The repetition perhaps shows his desperation.  He may have felt it would help him prevail with God.  (Note also Lk. 18:1-8.)  The word “supplication” is translated as “cry for mercy” (NIV) and “plea for grace” (ESV).

David speaks of the “day of his trouble” (7a).  So often, life passes with few problems.  However, hardships will inevitably come, and we know God will be there when they do.

The reason David gives for God answering his prayer seems to be his confidence in the Lord.  He says, “for you will answer me” (7b).  God is not  a “fair-weather” friend who, when hardships face us, is “out the door.”  He will be there when times are good and bad.  David had strong confidence in Him being there at all times.  He knew God would answer him.

Although some appeals are repetitive, David makes seven requests in verses 1-7.

1. Bow down Your ear and hear me (1a).
2. Preserve my life (2a).
3. Save your servant (2b).
4. Be merciful to me (3a).
5. Rejoice the soul of Your servant (4a).
6. Give ear to my prayers (6a).
7. Attend to the voice of my supplications (6b).

Further, he gives a total of nine reasons for fulfilling his requests.

1. I am poor and needy (1b)
2. I am holy (2b).
3. You are my God (2c).
4. I trust in You (2d).
5. I cry to You all day long (3b).
6. I lift up my soul (4b).
7. You are good and ready to forgive (5a).
8. You are abundant in mercy (5b).
9. You will answer me (7b).

The Greatness of God

(Verses 8-10)

In verses 8-10, David extols God further, proclaiming His greatness.  “(8) Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord; nor are there any works like Your works.  (9) All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your name.  (10) For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God.”

He says, “Among the gods there is none like You.”  Some wrestle with this phrase because he says, “Among the gods . . .”  (Note also Ex. 15:11, Ps. 89:6).  They look at this wording as implying the writer’s acknowledgment of and the legitimacy of multiple gods.  However, we know this is not the case because the Psalmist at the end of this section says, “You are God alone.” So here, David speaks in an accommodative way of gods (i.e., “as they might be called”).

A similar passage is in Galatians 1:6-10, where Paul marveled that the Galatians had so quickly turned away to another gospel.  Then he quickly says there is not another.  Thus, what they had turned to might be called a gospel,  but there is only one.  Further, in 1 Corinthians 1:21, Paul says we are saved “through the foolishness of the message preached.”  Is the gospel message foolish?  It is not!  Earlier (1:18), he explains that the message is regarded as “foolishness” by those “who are perishing.”  Certain ones would call gospel preaching foolish.

Consider also an event that took place during the days of Hezekiah, King of Judah, when a vast army from Assyria surrounded them (Is.  36-37).  Their spokesman ridiculed Judah’s army and God.  At a certain point, Hezekiah prayed to God about the situation.  (It says he “spread it before the Lord.”)  In Isaiah 37:18-20, he prayed, “Truly, Lord, the kings of Assyria have laid waste all the nations and their lands, and have cast their gods into the fire; for they were not gods, but the work of men’s hands — wood and stone.  Therefore they destroyed them.  Now therefore, O Lord our God, save us from his hand, that all the kingdoms of the earth may know that You are the Lord, You alone.”  Jeremiah 16:20 asks, “Will a man make gods for himself, which are not gods?”

Clearly, David is not acknowledging the veracity of multiple gods.  Idols are crafted from wood or stone; they have no power and are only material objects.  David clearly believed in only one God.

David knew that God listens and He is merciful and forgives.  Furthermore, he understood that God would be there for His people in times of trouble, which is the opposite of how pagan gods are often portrayed.

He also says to God, “Nor are there any works like Your works” (8b).  Claims made about the works of pagan gods cannot even compare to the works of the Lord.  But, of course, the pagan gods do not even exist.  Consider God’s great work of creation as Psalm 19:1 exclaims, “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork.”

The Psalmist continues to praise God in verse 9.  “All nations whom You have made shall come and worship before You, O Lord, and shall glorify Your name.”   In Bible times, there would be regional and local deities whom the people served.  However, God is the creator of all, so it would stand to reason that He is the God of ALL and that ALL should worship Him and glorify His name.  Various passages speak of ALL coming to worship God (Ps. 72:11, 17; 82:8; Rom. 14:11; Is.  45:23).

When would this be?  There were many times when idolaters acknowledged God (Dan. 2:46-47; Josh. 2:11).  Also, speaking of the Messianic era and the establishment of the church, Isaiah 2:2 says, “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it.”  Also, the gospel is for “all nations” and “every creature” (Mt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-16).  Therefore, the worship of God would be pervasive among all nations.

Further, the Scriptures tell us that ultimately, at the Judgment, all will bow their knee to God.  Consider Philippians 2:8-11, speaking of Jesus.

“And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.  Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”  (Note also Rev. 3:9; 15:4.)

In verse 10, he continues, “For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God.” While praying to God, recorded in Deuteronomy 3:24, Moses spoke similarly.  He prayed, “O Lord God, You have begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your mighty hand, for what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do anything like Your works and Your mighty deeds?”  At another time, while trying to encourage the people to obey God’s Law, he said (Deut.11:7), “ . . . but your eyes have seen every great act of the Lord which He did.” In that section of Deuteronomy, he speaks of some things they had explicitly seen.  They saw:

1. the signs and various acts in Egypt (3);
2. the parting of the Red Sea, and then how it was closed up again on the Egyptian army (4);
3. the wondrous deeds God did for the Jews in the wilderness (5);
4. the swallowing up by the earth of the people during Korah’s rebellion (6).

Today, we can cite many examples of God’s great works.  Consider a few that would immediately come to mind.

1. Creation (Ps. 19:1)
2. Coming of Christ & salvation (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:8)
3. Miracles of Christ (Jn. 20:30-31)
4. Christ’s resurrection (Lk. 24:1-8)
5. Establishment of the Church (Mt. 16:16-18)
6. Prayer (1 Pet 3:12; Jn. 15:7)
7. God’s Providential Care (Rom. 8:28; 1 Pet. 3:10-12: Rom. 7:19)

We are awed when we learn about God’s works from the past and witness them today.  God is not one God among many, but as the text says, “You alone are God” (10).

Teach Me Your Way

(Verses 11-13)

Verses 11-13 say, (11) “Teach me Your way, O Lord; I will walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name.  (12) I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, And I will glorify Your name forevermore.  (13) For great is Your mercy toward me, And You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.”

He starts by asking God to teach him his way (12).  The Psalmist wanted to learn, which is essential in gaining knowledge on anything, and this is especially true with the Scriptures.  Consider Ezra’s heart described in the Old Testament (Ezra 7:10).   “For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Law of the Lord, and to do it, and to teach statutes and ordinances in Israel.”  Other passages in the Bible teach this concept.  For example, 1 Peter 2:2 says, “as newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.”  (Some translations render the Greek word “crave” or “long for.”)  In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled” (Mt. 5:6).

Consider the following illustration.  A young man was trying to learn the language of another country and was having trouble.  It was a slow process.  Finally, however, he met a woman from that country and learned the language in practically no time.  What was missing earlier?  It was the motivation!  Many today lack the motivation to learn God’s Word.

It is also vital that we love God’s Word.  Consider the attitude of the Psalmist in Psalm 119:97 as he says, “Oh, how I love Your law!  It is my meditation all the day.”  The first part of the verse relates to the second part — those who love the law of God are more likely to meditate on it “all the day.”  Sadly, some may not care for Bible study because the Scriptures rebuke them for sins they are not ready to stop practicing.

Further, the text (11a) says, “teach me YOUR way.”  We must be willing to submit to God’s will, not follow our own.  From the earlier verses, it is clear that David knew who God was and wanted to humbly submit to His will, not someone else’s.

After expressing a desire to learn the Lord’s way, he says (11b), “I will walk in your truth.”  The writer wanted to understand God’s way, not just for intellectual curiosity or to have a conversation about it, but he wanted to “walk,” or live, by God’s Law.  In the earlier verses, we learn what God has done, but we must do our part, which is to learn and obey His will.

But what is truth?  Pilate asked this question at the crucifixion of Jesus (Jn. 18:38).  Philosophers have also asked it throughout the history of mankind.   The Scriptures teach that God’s Word is truth.  In John 17:17, Jesus prayed to God for His apostles just before His arrest, “Sanctify them by Your truth.  Your word is truth.” (Note also Eph. 3:3-4; 1 Thess. 2:13; Gal. 1:12; 2 Tim.  3:16-17.)

We also see that truth is vital in Proverbs 23:23, which says, “Buy the truth, and do not sell it, also wisdom and instruction and understanding.”   The writer compares truth to a commodity.  First, we should do anything it takes to “buy” it; then, we should not give it up for any price.  Only truth (“Your way”-11a) can make us free  (Jn. 8:32).

Then he says (11c), “Unite my heart to fear Your name.”  Many people have divided loyalties, as their hearts may not be entirely into an endeavor.  This type of heart is also found in trying to serve God.  Since God alone is God (10c), the Psalmist did not want a divided heart where he might partially serve God but also serve idols or other gods.  If he did this, he could never walk in God’s truth (11b).

The Bible emphasizes the importance of having a united heart (one heart) without divided loyalties.  For example, Deuteronomy 10:12 asks, “And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you, but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in all His ways and to love Him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.”  This speaks of a total commitment,  which requires us to “walk in all his ways,”  and to “fear,” “love,” and “serve” Him.  And, our devotion to God cannot be half-hearted.  Jesus also taught that we must have a united heart.  In Matthew 6:24, He explained, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other.  You cannot serve God and mammon.”  (Note also Deut. 6:5; Josh. 24:14-15.)

Consider some things that can cause us to have divided hearts.

1. Love for the World — The Bible tells us we should not love the world. 1 John 2:15-16 says, “Do not love the world or the things in the world.  If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.  For all that is in the world — the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life — is not of the Father but is of the world.” Yet, some try and have one foot in the world while serving God.
2. Wealth — Some are trying to serve God and wealth simultaneously. In the “Parable of the Sower,” those represented by the thorny soil received the word and produced fruit, but they were drawn away by the “deceitfulness of riches” (Mt. 13:22).  As we have noted, one cannot serve God and riches  (Mt.  6:24).
3. Hardships in Life — Some may face an abnormal number of hardships. Examples are dealing with the death of loved ones, their health issues as well as the ailments of loved ones.  Persecutions may come to people because they stand firm in their convictions.  Again, in the “Parable of the Sower,” the stony soil represents those who hear the Word but are discouraged when persecutions arise (Mt. 13:20-21).

Today, people need to be fully involved in serving God.  Consider the following comments by Adam Clarke.

A divided heart is a great curse; scattered affections are a miserable plague.  When the heart is not at unity with itself, the work of religion cannot go on.  Indecision of mind and division of affections mar any work.  The heart must be one, that the work may be one.  If this be wanting, all is wrong.  This is a prayer which becomes the mouth of every Christian.  (from Adam Clarke’s Commentary, Electronic Database.  Biblesoft.)

David prayed for an “undivided heart” (NIV).  Does this describe your heart toward God?

Next, he says he will praise and glorify God.  Verse 12 says, “I will praise You, O Lord my God, with all my heart, and I will glorify Your name forevermore.”   With David’s united heart, this is what he wanted to do — to “praise God.”  Earlier (6-10), he had expressed that God was worthy of praise.

Consider some observations by Spurgeon.

This is the second time in the psalm that David calls the Lord “my God,” the first time he was in an agony of prayer (Ps 86:2), and now he is in an ecstasy of praise.  If anything can make a man pray and praise, it is the knowledge. . . that the Lord is his God.  (The Treasury of David, Biblesoft, Inc.)

Significantly, the writer’s praise would be with all his heart (12a).  This concept carries back to verse 11, where he speaks of having a united heart.  So today, as we worship, we must do so wholeheartedly; anything less than that is unacceptable.  But unfortunately, in worship today, some engage in half-hearted worship.  As they sing a hymn, for example, they do so listlessly, not even thinking about the words they are saying.  Their minds may be on everything except what is happening in the service.   They may also watch the clock impatiently, waiting for the worship period to conclude.  A few may even look at something besides Bible passages on their cell phone.

Note a similar passage (Ps. 9:1-2) where David over-flows with enthusiasm as he speaks of what he will do as he worships God.  “I will praise You, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works.  I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High.”   Can we say that this passage, and the one in our text, describes our worship of God today?

With an undivided heart, he says, “I will glorify Your name forevermore” (12b).  Thus, he would glorify Jehovah, not a false deity, and he would do so, not just for a time but “forever,” as the original is often translated in this verse.  The idea is that he would glorify God throughout all eternity.

In verse 13, as he continues praising God, he says He had delivered him from “Sheol.”  It says, “For great is Your mercy toward me, and You have delivered my soul from the depths of Sheol.” Most translations render the original as “Sheol,” but some translate it as “grave.”  It refers to the realm of the dead.  Some interpret this verse figuratively and say it means that God delivered him out of only a terrible situation.   In light of verse 14, however, the simplest explanation is that God delivered him from a bad situation in which he was about to be killed.  In the first part of the verse, he mentions God’s mercy;  in the second part, we see how God shows His mercy.

A Plea for God’s Deliverance

(Verses 14-17)

The final section is verses 14-17, where he says,  (14) “O God, the proud have risen against me, And a mob of violent men have sought my life, And have not set You before them.  (15) But You, O Lord, are a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering and abundant in mercy and truth.  (16) Oh, turn to me, and have mercy on me!  Give Your strength to Your servant, And save the son of Your maidservant.  (17) Show me a sign for good, That those who hate me may see it and be ashamed, Because You, Lord, have helped me and comforted me.”

As stated earlier, we do not know at what point this is in David’s life.  Perhaps his encounters with either Saul or Absalom fit.  Nevertheless, it is interesting that he describes these people as having “not set You before them.”  One translation says, “men without regard for you” (NIV).  These violent men, seeking to kill David, had no regard for God; they were doing what suited themselves.

In contrast to these people, he describes God in the next verse as being full of compassion, gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in mercy and truth.  Of course, people are often evil and show no mercy, but this does not change these stated facts about God.  Verse 14 is very similar to verse 5.  Both seem to come from Exodus 34:6-7 where  God speaks of Himself.

His final appeal is in verses 16-17.  In verse 16, he wants God to turn to him and have mercy; he would like strength for himself.  He refers to himself as “Your servant” and the “son of Your maidservant.”  Earlier, he establishes himself as God’s servant.  Referring to himself as the “son of Your maidservant” raises an interesting question.  We know very little about David’s mother, although there are some Jewish traditions about her.  The implication here, however, is that she was a righteous woman.  Further,  we learn elsewhere that while on the run from Saul, he asked for protection for her from the king of Moab.

He closes in verse 17 by asking  God for a sign, which those who hated him would be able to see and would have shame.  This request indicates that he is not asking for everything right then, but a sign would be helpful and produce the results he asks for.  Was it wrong for him to ask for a sign?  We learn that asking for such was not always disapproved.  (Consider the case of Gideon in Judges 6.)  He is not asking God to prove His love for him.  Instead, he states that any help and comfort he got would exalt God and make his enemies ashamed (17b).

Summation

What do we learn from this psalm?  First, we should approach God humbly, like a servant before his master.  We should acknowledge God’s mercy, compassion, and graciousness and praise and glorify Him.  We can confidently and freely call upon God, noting what He has done for us in the past, and we can even state reasons why God should grant our request.  We also learn the importance of desiring to know His will, being willing to walk in his commandment, and having a united (undivided) heart before Him.

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Keep It Simple

Jarrod Jacobs

The above statement is the “mantra” of a friend of mine. When it comes to the preaching and teaching of God’s word, he has told me often, “Keep it simple.” This sentiment was impressed upon my mind even further when a sister in Christ told me, “The main problem that high school students have today is not which church to go to, but whether or not to believe in God in the first place.” Think about it: This lady has observed that we live in a society that has so pushed God aside that she said she knows high school students who need to be convinced about the very existence of God! A few generations ago, such a thought would have been ridiculous; now it is reality!

The sister’s observation told me that, yes, my friend is right in saying, “keep it simple” as I preach. Her observation also tells me that I need to be preaching and teaching these “simple” sermons not only to the teenagers, but also to the PARENTS of those teenagers! After all, children are the students of their parents. Therefore, if parents are not exposed to God, the Bible, to truth, etc., then how can we expect their children to know these things? God has placed the responsibility of teaching children with parents (Genesis 18:19; Deuteronomy 6:6-9, 11:18-21; Ephesians 6:4; 2 Timothy 1:5; etc.)! Parents, how are we doing in this area of our lives? Are we spending the time teaching, or are we merely assuming that our children know the truth that we have learned?

Furthermore, when I think about the statement, “Keep it simple,” I find that this is not an encouragement to make things simplistic or speak down to people. Rather, it places responsibility on the teacher to make sure things are said in such a way that all those listening can understand. Brethren have said for many years that one does not need to be a “Greek scholar” to go to Heaven. This is true. In like manner, we do not need to have a Ph.D. in order to understand the Bible! The apostle Paul said, “Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ” (Ephesians 3:4). Jesus encouraged the reading and searching (studying) of Scriptures, for He knew that by so doing, mankind can understand the truth and can follow it (John 5:39; 17:17; Revelation 1:3). Not only did He state this truth to others, but He lived it, Himself (Acts 1:1)! How are we doing with the reading and study of the Scriptures? How are we doing at living what we have learned?

Bear in mind, that when Jesus spoke, “the common people heard him gladly” (Mark 12:37). Those who listened to Jesus were often the “unknowns,” the “rejected,” “the general population,” or the “throng” (ESV). In contrast, the social “elites,” and their ilk did not like Jesus. In fact, they conspired against Him to keep Him from preaching. Their conclusion was that Christ needed to die (John 11:47-53)! After Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, and ascension, the apostles continued preaching His simple message to the “common” folks all over the world (Acts 1:8, ch. 2, etc.). When they preached that simple message, the “elites,” and “educated” people marveled at their words, noting, “…they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13).

Therefore, to “keep it simple” means to preach like Jesus and the apostles did. Can we think of any better examples to follow than Christ and His apostles when one today wants to communicate God’s will in the best way? I can’t! When we determine to preach and teach as Christ, then we will “keep it simple” for all people who are searching for the truth. Let no man get so caught up in his own ability and talents that he forgets to “hide behind the cross” when preaching! Keep it simple so that the “common people” can hear the truth, believe it, and obey it! Start at home! Keep it simple!

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Fellowship

Bob Waldron

  I receive a number of church bulletins each week from several sections of the country. I appreciate them being sent to me: for the most part I have profited from reading them. One of the things I have particularly noticed has been the frequent use of the word “fellowship.” Not only have I noticed the use, I have observed both the overuse and abuse of this word. To illustrate what I mean: An article in a church bulletin received last fall stated in part, “periods of fellowship are a source of strength to this congregation.” But in the very next sentence we were told what this “fellowship” was — it was a “Halloween party in the fellowship hall of the church building.” Also, a recent bulletin to cross my desk announced — “members are reminded to bring sandwiches and drinks to the fellowship hall and stay for an hour of fellowship following the service on Sunday evening.”

The word “fellowship” is a good word; it is a Bible word: however, I know of no passage that uses the word to describe social meals or recreational activities. I do realize that the word is used in a modern sense to identify social and recreational activities, but it is apparent to the Bible student that there is a vast amount of difference between the modern, secular use and the Bible use of the word.

The bible definition of the word is, “communion, partnership, sharing in common, or participation with.” But what did the early Christians share? They were together; they “shared” in prayers, the Lord’s Supper, and the teaching of God’s word (Acts 2:42). The Christians at Corinth were called into the fellowship of His Son, Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 1-9). Paul wrote about the help of the Corinthian Christians to needy saints and called it “the fellowship of the ministering to the saints” (2 Corinthians 8:4). The Philippian Christians were praised for their “fellowship (with Paul) in the furtherance of the gospel” (by their contribution to him) (Philippians 1:5). Our fellowship is with one another by “walking in the light” (1John 1:7), and this is the fellowship the Christian should be interested in. These are but a few of the more than twenty New Testament passages that allude to the fellowship, partnership or joint participation in religious matters by early Christians. And by a careful study of these references, it is evident that they all refer to spiritual matters and never to recreational, social, or secular activities such as Halloween parties, church suppers, or ball games.

Incidentally, in reference to the church that met in the “fellowship hall of the church” (building) for an hour of fellowship following the services on Sunday evening; I wonder if there was any “fellowship” in the service itself? Was not the fellowship with God by the church as it met together to sing, pray, study, etc.? Was there no sharing or joint participation in religious matters then — rather than in some social activity following the period of worship to God?

My friends, the error all begins when the word “fellowship” is taken out of its scriptural context and made to apply to social, recreational, or entertainment activities, which is not the Biblical use of the word. And a second grave spiritual blunder that often ensues is to build and maintain a fellowship hall to carry out this unscriptural practice.

I do encourage the fellowship of Christians in public worship to God, in evangelism, and in benevolence to the needy. I also encourage social and recreational activities among Christians; but also that these activities be carried out by the individual and be a part of the activities of the home, the center of such activities for the Christian.

I, however, stand opposed to social and recreational activities and/or facilities for these activities being financed with the Lord’s money, called “Bible fellowship,” and labeled “a good work of the church.” Brethren, let us call Bible things by Bible names, and do Bible things in Bible ways!

— via Gospel Power, Anderson, Alabama

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Are You Frozen?

Mike Johnson

Consider a story that I have had for many years in my files.  I do not know the author’s name, but the message is evident.  The story is called “Waiting Too Long.”

Once, a man standing by Niagara saw an eagle sitting on a lamb frozen in a piece of ice.  The eagle was feasting upon the carcass as it drifted towards the rapids.  Now and then, the eagle proudly lifted his head to look around as if to say, ‘I’m drifting toward danger, but I know what I am doing.  I will fly away and escape before it is too late.’ With great interest, the man watched the piece of ice and its strange cargo drift nearer the awful roar of the falls. 

At last, the eagle stopped and spread his mighty wings and leaped for flight.  But alas, while he had been feasting on the carcass, his feet had frozen to the fleece.  He jumped and shrieked in vain.  Together, the frozen lamb and the eagle went over the falls into the darkness of death.

Many people today are like the eagle of our story.   They feast on sin, intending to obey God at some point.  However, like the eagle, they do so at their peril.  Consider some critical factors.

To begin with, we need to recognize that delay is rebellion against God.  If a mother told her son to do something, and the child said, “Not now, I will do it tomorrow,” would she be pleased?  The answer, of course, is “no.” That child would be rebellious and would be displeasing to his mother.  Do we want, at any point, to be in a state where God would regard us as rebellious?  II Corinthians 6:2 says today is the day of salvation.  On one occasion, Paul preached to Felix (Acts 24:25) about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come.  Sadly, instead of obeying, he delayed and said, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you.”

Also, delay is dangerous.  First, life on earth is short at the longest.  In Psalm 90:9, the writer refers to life as a “sigh” (NKJV), and in James 4:14, it is called a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away.  Second, we can die at any time while we are in rebellion against God.  Third, we do not know when Christ will return.  The Bible teaches that Christ will return unexpectedly as a thief in the night (I Thess. 5:2).  If we could know exactly how long we will live, deferring obedience would still be dangerous.

The “falls” are ahead for every person.  We may come to them a lot quicker than we think.  We need to be like the psalmist who said in Psalm 119:60, “I made haste, and did not delay to keep Your commandments.” Remember, delayed obedience is disobedience!

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The Butterfly

One day a small opening appeared on a cocoon. A man sat and watched for the butterfly for several hours as it struggled to force its body through that little hole. Then it seemed to stop making any progress. It appeared as if it had gotten as far as it could and could go no further.

So the man decided to help the butterfly. He took a pair of scissors and snipped off the remaining bit of the cocoon. The butterfly emerged easily, but it had a swollen body and small, shriveled wings.

The man continued to watch the butterfly because he expected that, at any moment, the wings would enlarge and expand to be able to support the body, which would contract in time. Neither happened! In fact, the butterfly spent the rest of its life crawling around with a swollen body and shriveled wings. It never was able to fly.

What the man in his kindness and haste did not understand was that the restricting cocoon and the struggle required for the butterfly to get through the tiny opening were God’s way of forcing fluid from the body of the butterfly into its wings so that it would be ready for flight once it achieved its freedom from the cocoon.

Sometimes, struggles are exactly what we need in our lives. If God allowed us to go through our life without any obstacles, it would cripple us. We would not be as strong as we could have been. We could never fly.

Author Unknown

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Living Right in a World That’s All Wrong

Charles Maples

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Editor: Mike Johnson

www.seekingthingsabove.org