Hear Me, Lord
Study note
David asks God to listen because he is poor and needy. He calls on God all day long and asks for mercy. God is good, forgiving, and rich in faithful love to all who call on him.
1 Lean in and hear me, Lord, because I have nothing and I need everything. Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy.
2 Watch over my life, because I am devoted to you. I am your servant, and I trust you completely. You are my God -- save me! Preserve my soul; for I am holy: O thou my God, save thy servant that trusteth in thee.
3 Show me your mercy, Lord, because I am calling out to you every day. Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.
4 Fill your servant's heart with gladness, because I hold my soul up to you, Lord. Rejoice the soul of thy servant: for unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.
5 You, Lord, are good and ready to forgive. Your faithful love overflows for everyone who calls your name. For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.
6 Lord, hear my prayer. Pay close attention to the sound of my pleading. Give ear, O LORD, unto my prayer; and attend to the voice of my supplications.
7 Whenever trouble finds me, I call on you, because I know you will answer. In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.
You Alone Are God
Study note
Among the gods there is none like the Lord. All nations will come and worship before him. He alone does wonderful things. David asks God to teach him and to give him an undivided heart.
8 Lord, not a single god out there is anything like you, and nothing they have done can match what you do. Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.
9 Every nation you ever made will one day come and kneel before you, Lord, and bring honor to your name. All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name.
10 You are truly great, and you do things that take our breath away. You -- and only you -- are God. For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone.
11 Show me how you want me to live, Lord, and I will follow your truth step by step. Pull my heart together so it is fully focused on honoring you. Teach me thy way, O LORD; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
12 With everything I have, I will praise you, Lord my God. I will bring honor to your name as long as I live. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.
13 Your loyal love for me runs so deep. You pulled me up out of the lowest, darkest place. For great is thy mercy toward me: and thou hast delivered my soul from the lowest hell.
A Plea for Help
Study note
Arrogant people have risen against David. But God is compassionate, gracious, slow to anger, and rich in love and faithfulness. David asks for a sign of God's favor that his enemies can see.
14 God, proud and violent people have come after me. A gang of bullies wants to take my life, and they do not care about you at all. O God, the proud are risen against me, and the assemblies of violent men have sought after my soul; and have not set thee before them.
15 But you, Lord -- mercy and kindness are who you are. You are exceedingly patient, and your loyal love and faithfulness never run dry. But thou, O Lord, art a God full of compassion, and gracious, longsuffering, and plenteous in mercy and truth.
16 Look my way and show me your mercy. Share your strength with your servant. Rescue the child of someone who serves you. O turn unto me, and have mercy upon me; give thy strength unto thy servant, and save the son of thine handmaid.
17 Give me some sign that you are on my side, so the people who hate me will see it and hang their heads. You, Lord, are the one who helps me and brings me comfort. Shew me a token for good; that they which hate me may see it, and be ashamed: because thou, LORD, hast holpen me, and comforted me.