A Psalm of Praise

The Lord Is My Strength and My Shield; Of David.

1 To you, O Lord, I call; my rock, be not deaf to me, lest, if You be 

  silent to me, I become like those who go down to the pit.

2 Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to You for 

  help, when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.

3 Do not drag me off with the wicked, with the workers of evil, who 

  speak peace with their neighbors while evil is in their hearts.

6 Blessed be the Lord! For He has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy.

7 The Lord is my strength and my shield; in Him my heart trusts, and 

  I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to Him.

I saw a video featuring Eugene Peterson, theologian and author, and Bono, man of faith and lead singer of the band U2. In it, Peterson told Bono his love of The Psalms, and Bono concurred. Peterson noted the book is like a manual on how to talk to God in all kinds of settings. Angry with God? Go to Psalms. Hurt by life? Go to Psalms. Frustrated? Go to Psalms. Joyous or happy? Go to Psalms.

In the Psalms, David almost demands that God listens, and God passed the passage along as the ultimate author of scripture. “Do not be deaf to me!” is a clear imperative, or order from David to God. The Lutheran Study Bible notes that this psalm may be, again, David’s cry for help when Absalom, his son, rebelled against him. David’s needs are urgent.

Yet, the same notes say that David’s prayer contains words of praise in anticipation of God’s answer. David knows God hears and answers him, in due time. For that, and that alone, David is thankful.

We pray: God, You know what troubles me. Hear me when I turn to You, for You and Your Word have the words of eternal life. Help me to quiet my soul and know You will answer me. In Christ’s name. Amen.