And now, Lord, what wait I for?

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Psalm 39:7–13, “And now, Lord, what wait I for? my hope is in thee. Deliver me from all my transgressions: make me not the reproach of the foolish. I was dumb, I opened not my mouth; because thou didst it. Remove thy stroke away from me: I am consumed by the blow of thine hand. When thou with rebukes dost correct man for iniquity, thou makest his beauty to consume away like a moth: surely every man is vanity. Selah. Hear my prayer, O LORD, and give ear unto my cry; hold not thy peace at my tears: for I am a stranger with thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.”

David longed to be in control of his own destiny but what could he do or say? He believed that the Lord is Sovereign and he trusted the Lord to care for him. He asked the Lord to deliver him from his sin so that the wicked wouldn’t mock him. David asked the Lord to deliver him from the testing times because he was feeling devastated and exhausted. He begged the Lord to hear his cry because he felt that God was treating him like a stranger. He asked the Lord to give him time to rest and recover from the hard times that he was facing.

I said, I will take heed to my ways

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Psalm 39:1–6, “I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. I was dumb with silence, I held my peace, even from good; and my sorrow was stirred. My heart was hot within me, while I was musing the fire burned: then spake I with my tongue, LORD, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail I am. Behold, thou hast made my days as an handbreadth; and mine age is as nothing before thee: verily every man at his best state is altogether vanity. Selah. Surely every man walketh in a vain shew: surely they are disquieted in vain: he heapeth up riches, and knoweth not who shall gather them.”

David was troubled and anxious but he was struggling to be careful in what he did. He had advised others not to sin by talking to or about other people. He didn’t make any comments even though he longed to speak and let everyone know what he was thinking. Eventually, he couldn’t keep quiet any longer and he called on the Lord to let him know how long these troubled times would last. Would he ever come to the end of them or would he die? Compared to God, every man lives for just a moment of time. Everyone who thinks that they can make a real reputation in the heavens is just fooling himself. God’s creation continues from day to day without being affected by the efforts of mankind. The stars continue to shine, the rain continues to fall and sun continues to give light. Even the richest man in the world has no real say in what happens to his wealth and his reputation after he dies.

They also that seek after my life lay snares for me

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Psalm 38:12–22, “They also that seek after my life lay snares for me: and they that seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and imagine deceits all the day long. But I, as a deaf man, heard not; and I was as a dumb man that openeth not his mouth. Thus I was as a man that heareth not, and in whose mouth are no reproofs. For in thee, O LORD, do I hope: thou wilt hear, O Lord my God. For I said, Hear me, lest otherwise they should rejoice over me: when my foot slippeth, they magnify themselves against me. For I am ready to halt, and my sorrow is continually before me. For I will declare mine iniquity; I will be sorry for my sin. But mine enemies are lively, and they are strong: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied. They also that render evil for good are mine adversaries; because I follow the thing that good is. Forsake me not, O LORD: O my God, be not far from me. Make haste to help me, O Lord my salvation.”

Not only was David troubled by his own sin, his enemies were taking every opportunity to attack him and destroy him. He didn’t understand that the Lord was working to bring back to the place of confession and repentance. He didn’t hear the Lord’s message and continued in his troubled state. He longed for the Lord to help him and deliver him. Then he realised that he needed to acknowledge the fact that he was responsible for his own sin and confess this fact to the Lord. However, he was still troubled by his enemies and long to rejoice in the peace of God in his heart.

O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath

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Psalm 38:1–11, “O LORD, rebuke me not in thy wrath: neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. For thine arrows stick fast in me, and thy hand presseth me sore. There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin. For mine iniquities are gone over mine head: as an heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds stink and are corrupt because of my foolishness. I am troubled; I am bowed down greatly; I go mourning all the day long. For my loins are filled with a loathsome disease: and there is no soundness in my flesh. I am feeble and sore broken: I have roared by reason of the disquietness of my heart. Lord, all my desire is before thee; and my groaning is not hid from thee. My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eyes, it also is gone from me. My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my sore; and my kinsmen stand afar off.”

David was full of repentance when he composed this Psalm, inspired by God. He felt that he had sinned against the Holy God and was deeply grieved by his sin. He was troubled day and night because he hadn’t made the effort to deal with his sin and bring it to the Lord. A person who believes in the Lord but tries to live with unconfessed sin will have no peace at all.

Wait on the LORD

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Psalm 37:34–40, “Wait on the LORD, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it. I have seen the wicked in great power, and spreading himself like a green bay tree. Yet he passed away, and, lo, he was not: yea, I sought him, but he could not be found. Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace. But the transgressors shall be destroyed together: the end of the wicked shall be cut off. But the salvation of the righteous is of the LORD: he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the LORD shall help them, and deliver them: he shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in him.”

There is time and there is eternity. The righteous trust in the Lord and He will keep them for both time and eternity to His glory. The wicked don’t care about eternity and work hard to make the most of now. They look after themselves but they ignore the truth of eternity. It is better to trust the Lord for He cares both in time and eternity. If we trust the Lord He will keep us now and He will keep us for all eternity

The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again

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Psalm 37:21–33, “The wicked borroweth, and payeth not again: but the righteous sheweth mercy, and giveth. For such as be blessed of him shall inherit the earth; and they that be cursed of him shall be cut off. The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand. I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth; and his seed is blessed. Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore. For the LORD loveth judgment, and forsaketh not his saints; they are preserved for ever: but the seed of the wicked shall be cut off. The righteous shall inherit the land, and dwell therein for ever. The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment. The law of his God is in his heart; none of his steps shall slide. The wicked watcheth the righteous, and seeketh to slay him. The LORD will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.”

Wicked people are happy to take advantage of others because they think that they can get an advantage for themselves. They don’t really care for other people but only for themselves. On the other hand, the righteous is willing to help other people and trust the Lord to look after his interests. The Lord leads the good person along a way that will lead to long term benefits and contentment. A righteous man may never be rich and famous but he will always be at peace with God and enjoy the peace of God in his heart and mind. A righteous person fills his mind with the Lord’g goodness and rests on the truth.

Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him

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Psalm 37:7–20, “Rest in the LORD, and wait patiently for him: fret not thyself because of him who prospereth in his way, because of the man who bringeth wicked devices to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off: but those that wait upon the LORD, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: yea, thou shalt diligently consider his place, and it shall not be. But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. The wicked plotteth against the just, and gnasheth upon him with his teeth. The Lord shall laugh at him: for he seeth that his day is coming. The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, and to slay such as be of upright conversation. Their sword shall enter into their own heart, and their bows shall be broken. A little that a righteous man hath is better than the riches of many wicked. For the arms of the wicked shall be broken: but the LORD upholdeth the righteous. The LORD knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be for ever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied. But the wicked shall perish, and the enemies of the LORD shall be as the fat of lambs: they shall consume; into smoke shall they consume away.”

Earlier in the Psalm David encouraged the reader not to fret or worry because evil people seem to do so well while good people seem to suffer so much. Instead of fretting we can rest in the Lord, that is, believe that the Lord knows what He is doing and trust Him for His goodness. Don't get angry about something that is beyond your power to control, after God is Sovereign and actually knows the future. Unless the wicked choose to believe in the Lord, they will never know the peace of God and they will never be able to rest in His goodness. A righteous man, who is content because he trusts in the Lord and knows that the Lord is good, is far richer than a rich man who is not satisfied with all his wealth. They will come to a sad and certain end while the people who rest in the Lord will do so forever.

Fret not thyself because of evildoers

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Psalm 37:1–6, “Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity. For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb. Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. And he shall bring forth thy righteousness as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday.”

It is very easy to become upset by the fact that people who ignore the Lord and look after themselves seem to prosper while the people who put God first in their lives seem to struggle from day to day. However, we don’t know the future nor do we understand what will happen to those people, in time. It is better for us not to be too concerned about other people and what they are doing, rather we should look to the Lord and remember that He doesn’t do bad things. If we trust Him, He will never hurt us but will ensure that it is good for us in the end. Believe in the Lord, trust in Him and He will do good for us, personally and individually.

Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens

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Psalm 36:5–12, “Thy mercy, O LORD, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reacheth unto the clouds. Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast. How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart. Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me. There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise.”

Even though our natural tendency is not to fear the Lord, the Lord is still merciful. He doesn’t immediately give us what we have chosen, that is, to be removed from His love forever. He is patient and gives people opportunities to see His goodness and to believe in Him rather than reject Him. We can learn to have a holy fear of the Lord but this will lead us to complete reliance on His mercy. He keeps us alive each and every day that we live. He gives the things that we need to stay alive and gives us all sufficient information to learn that He is God and should be feared. Eventually, the Lord will let people have the fruit of their own choice but not without giving them many chances to escape the destiny that they have chosen.

The transgression of the wicked saith

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Psalm 36:1–4, “The transgression of the wicked saith within my heart, that there is no fear of God before his eyes. For he flattereth himself in his own eyes, until his iniquity be found to be hateful. The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit: he hath left off to be wise, and to do good. He deviseth mischief upon his bed; he setteth himself in a way that is not good; he abhorreth not evil.”

The fear of the Lord should not be taken lightly. Sinners should have a holy dread of the Lord for He will consign all unbelievers to hell. However, those who don’t believe in the Lord don’t have this fear. They say to themselves, “I am in control and I, alone, determine my destiny.” Because the wicked believe they are in control they believe that they can escape the consequences of their own action and avoid meeting with the true and Holy God.

Lord, how long wilt thou look on?

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Psalm 35:17–28, “Lord, how long wilt thou look on? rescue my soul from their destructions, my darling from the lions. I will give thee thanks in the great congregation: I will praise thee among much people. Let not them that are mine enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: neither let them wink with the eye that hate me without a cause. For they speak not peace: but they devise deceitful matters against them that are quiet in the land. Yea, they opened their mouth wide against me, and said, Aha, aha, our eye hath seen it. This thou hast seen, O LORD: keep not silence: O Lord, be not far from me. Stir up thyself, and awake to my judgment, even unto my cause, my God and my Lord. Judge me, O LORD my God, according to thy righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me. Let them not say in their hearts, Ah, so would we have it: let them not say, We have swallowed him up. Let them be ashamed and brought to confusion together that rejoice at mine hurt: let them be clothed with shame and dishonour that magnify themselves against me. Let them shout for joy, and be glad, that favour my righteous cause: yea, let them say continually, Let the LORD be magnified, which hath pleasure in the prosperity of his servant. And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long.”

Everyone has difficult times in life, that is just part of living. When babies are born they start to grow teeth and suffer and that is just the beginning. On other hand, during times of suffering we wonder when the suffering is going to end. David asked the Lord, “How long?” He longed to be free of the attacks and falsehoods of his enemies. He preferred to be saved from them so that he could devote his time to praising the Lord rather than suffering attacks. These people pretended to be good and peaceful people but they were looking to tell lies and destroy David. He longed to see them suffer the consequences of their own actions and for the world to know the truth about these people. David would be able to praise the Lord when these people received the consequences of their own actions.

False witnesses did rise up

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Psalm 35:11–16, “False witnesses did rise up; they laid to my charge things that I knew not. They rewarded me evil for good to the spoiling of my soul. But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth: I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom. I behaved myself as though he had been my friend or brother: I bowed down heavily, as one that mourneth for his mother. But in mine adversity they rejoiced, and gathered themselves together: yea, the abjects gathered themselves together against me, and I knew it not; they did tear me, and ceased not: With hypocritical mockers in feasts, they gnashed upon me with their teeth.”

David’s enemies told lies about him so that they could justify themselves. We all have a tendency to try and blame someone else when we do something wrong ourselves. He was accused by others because they wanted to look righteous themselves. However, they were telling lies and were in the wrong. David did good to other people but they used his good will to give themselves an opportunity to hurt him. He was greatly distressed but they were glad at his torment.

Plead my cause, O LORD

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Psalm 35:1–10, “Plead my cause, O LORD, with them that strive with me: fight against them that fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for mine help. Draw out also the spear, and stop the way against them that persecute me: say unto my soul, I am thy salvation. Let them be confounded and put to shame that seek after my soul: let them be turned back and brought to confusion that devise my hurt. Let them be as chaff before the wind: and let the angel of the LORD chase them. Let their way be dark and slippery: and let the angel of the LORD persecute them. For without cause have they hid for me their net in a pit, which without cause they have digged for my soul. Let destruction come upon him at unawares; and let his net that he hath hid catch himself: into that very destruction let him fall. And my soul shall be joyful in the LORD: it shall rejoice in his salvation. All my bones shall say, LORD, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?”

David didn’t only write Psalms when he was filled with faith and joy at the truth of the Lord, at times, he wrote when he was struggling against crises in hope. This was one of those occasions. He was being attacked by his enemies. People were telling lies about him so that they could justify the fact that they had hurt him. He was both physically and spiritually attacked and longed for the Lord to save him. He called on the Lord to fight on his side and drive his enemies away so that their lies would not harm him. He wanted to Lord to give his enemies the problems that they wanted to give to him. Deep in heart David knew that the Lord would not allow him to be utterly destroyed. He knew that the Lord would keep him forever.

Come, ye children, hearken unto me:

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Psalm 34:11–22, “Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the LORD. What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry. The face of the LORD is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the LORD heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken. Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. The LORD redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.”

David was so grateful to the Lord for saving him, from the disaster that he had made for himself, that he encouraged the children to come and learn about the Lord while they were still young. He knew the importance of trusting the Lord as a child because he had trusted the Lord from his own childhood. He told the children of his day, and all who read this Psalm throughout the ages, how to fear the Lord. Essentially, they are encouraged to read the Lord’s book and follow the instructions that are written therein. Anyone who believes in the Lord is counted as righteous and the Lord covers them with the envelope of His care. The righteous trust the Lord and the Lord is trustworthy and faithful. It doesn’t matter how hard or how long the attacks are, the Lord is always close and we can enjoy the benefits of His goodness whenever we want to.

I will bless the LORD at all times

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Psalm 34:1–10, “I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. I sought the LORD, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. O taste and see that the LORD is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him. O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him. The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the LORD shall not want any good thing.”

It helps if we can distinguish between faith and hope. Faith happens when we believe in the truth about God, that is, we accept the fact that God is good and loving and that He only does good and loving things. When we have faith we trust that God knows what He is doing and we are willing to rely on Him for eternity. On the other hand, hope is more about feelings. If we feel as though things are against us then we may easily run out of hope. David ran out of hope, at one stage, and lived with the Philistines so that he could escape from King Saul who wanted to kill him. The Philistines didn’t trust David so he had to pretend that he was mad in order to escape from them. After David escaped from the Philistines, he knew that the Lord had saved him from a desperate situation. He understood the truth even though he had felt as though the Lord wasn’t looking after him at that time. He composed a psalm of praise to the Lord. He called on everyone who heard this song of praise to join him and give all the glory to the Lord. Everyone who trusts the Lord will be vindicated in the long term even though they may feel like things are not going to work out very well just now. People who trust in the Lord know that He will care for ever.

Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous

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Psalm 33:1–11, “Rejoice in the LORD, O ye righteous: for praise is comely for the upright. Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise. For the word of the LORD is right; and all his works are done in truth. He loveth righteousness and judgment: the earth is full of the goodness of the LORD. By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses. Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he commanded, and it stood fast. 1The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none effect. The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations.”

It is always good to rejoice in the Lord. There are many people who blame God for the bad things that happen to them but they are wrong. The Lord defined good for the benefit of all but mankind chose to ignore the Lord’s definitions and remake the definition of good. As soon as people chose to reject God’s definition of good then evil began to multiply on the earth. God’s definition of good is completely unselfish but whenever anyone else wants to define good there is always an element of selfishness in this definition. As soon as “good” offers an advantage to one person then other people suffer. The upright are those who are willing to accept that God knows what He is talking about and has the only true and perfect definition of good. For those who enjoy the Lord’s goodness then there are plenty of reasons to praise the Lord and thank Him. A grateful heart fills people with a desire to sing of the Lord’s goodness and all the good things that He continues to do each and every day.

Thou art my hiding place

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Psalm 32:7–11, “Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about. Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.”

Everyone who believes in the Lord faces two options: we can trust in the Lord and be at peace with the Lord and ourselves or we can fight the Lord and know no peace at all. David confessed his sin and found peace with the Lord. He praised the Lord for being so good to him. The Lord promised to show David the way to go. As long as David looked to the Lord then the Lord would give David wisdom to know what to do. As long as David obeyed the Lord then the Lord would keep in the centre of the Lord goodness, love, mercy and grace.

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven

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Psalm 32:1–6, “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.”

David sinned and was troubled with a guilty conscience so he wasn’t able to rest or find peace of mind. However, when he confessed his sin to the Lord, the Lord forgave him and gave him the peace and the rest that he craved. David rejoiced that the Lord would forgive and bless those who believed in Him.

Oh how great is thy goodness

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Psalm 31:19–24, “, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues. Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvellous kindness in a strong city. For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee. O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.”

When the hard times were over, David knew that he had been right to trust the Lord and the Lord alone. The Lord only does good things even though those who hate the Lord try to destroy those who trust the Lord. The Lord will keep anyone who trusts in Him  away from any danger that might break him or destroy his faith. The Lord will always prove to be faithful even though everyone else may prove to be unfaithful.

Have mercy upon me

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Psalm 31:9–18, “Have mercy upon me, O LORD, for I am in trouble: mine eye is consumed with grief, yea, my soul and my belly. For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed. I was a reproach among all mine enemies, but especially among my neighbours, and a fear to mine acquaintance: they that did see me without fled from me. I am forgotten as a dead man out of mind: I am like a broken vessel. For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life. But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my God. My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me. Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies’ sake. Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave. Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.”

Even though David trusted in the Lord there were times when he longed for relief from the torments of his circumstances. He had many times of grief and hardship, so much so that he felt as though he was being destroyed from within, at times. Sometimes he couldn’t trust his friends or even his family for everyone wanted to take advantage of him. However, he always knew that the Lord is Sovereign and everything was in His hands and worked according to His perfect timing. He knew that, as long as he trusted the Lord, the Lord would not fail him in the end.

In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust

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Psalm 31:1–8, “In thee, O LORD, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me. Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength. Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth. I have hated them that regard lying vanities: but I trust in the LORD. I will be glad and rejoice in thy mercy: for thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities; And hast not shut me up into the hand of the enemy: thou hast set my feet in a large room.”

David rejoiced in the Lord for he trusted the Lord and the Lord always proved to be trustworthy. Even though the Lord ruled in heaven, He was still able to hear the cry of the smallest child on earth. The Lord is the true strong point that warriors look for when they are in battle. The Lord saved David from ambush and other attacks. On the other hand, David was against those who relied on their own strength and said that the Lord couldn’t be relied upon. David was never caught in a place from which he couldn’t escape for the Lord always provided a way of retreat.

And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved

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Psalm 30:6–12, “d. LORD, by thy favour thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: thou didst hide thy face, and I was troubled. I cried to thee, O LORD; and unto the LORD I made supplication. What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? shall it declare thy truth? Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.”

The Lord gave David everything that He had promised the king. David was living in his own home in his own capital city and he knew that the Lord would keep him forever. The Lord who made all creation cannot be overcome by anyone else so a person who is loved by the Lord had no one who can overcome the Him. On the other hand, while he was suffering, David cried to the Lord and asked what profit would come from his death. Nevertheless, the Lord turned the hard, painful times into times of rejoicing.

I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up

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Psalm 30:1–5, “I will extol thee, O LORD; for thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me. O LORD my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me. O LORD, thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. Sing unto the LORD, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness. For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.”

David spent many years of his early life as a shepherd out in the fields looking after the sheep. He would stay awake sometimes and see the stars in the sky before he went to sleep with the sheep at night. He was always filled with wonder and amazement at the glory and majesty of the Lord Who had made all these things. There were times when he had to rely entirely on the Lord for his safety. A lion attacked the sheep but he trusted in the Lord and saved his sheep from the lion. On another occasion, a bear attacked his sheep and the Lord gave him the ability to save the sheep from the bear. As he grew into manhood he became a mighty warrior and a great general and the Lord kept him though many dangers. Finally, as the Lord promised, David became king of Israel and he composed this Psalm of praise to the Lord. When he cried out in danger or torment, the Lord was always there and ready to keep him safe from his enemies. Not only did David rejoice in the Lord, he called on all the people to rejoice in the Lord also. We will all go through difficult times when we feel the need to weep but they will come to an end and we will finally wake up to live in the Lord’s presence forever.

Give unto the LORD

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Psalm 29:1–11, “Give unto the LORD, O ye mighty, give unto the LORD glory and strength. Give unto the LORD the glory due unto his name; worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness. The voice of the LORD is upon the waters: the God of glory thundereth: the LORD is upon many waters. The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is full of majesty. The voice of the LORD breaketh the cedars; yea, the LORD breaketh the cedars of Lebanon. He maketh them also to skip like a calf; Lebanon and Sirion like a young unicorn. The voice of the LORD divideth the flames of fire. The voice of the LORD shaketh the wilderness; the LORD shaketh the wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the LORD maketh the hinds to calve, and discovereth the forests: and in his temple doth every one speak of his glory. The LORD sitteth upon the flood; yea, the LORD sitteth King for ever. The LORD will give strength unto his people; the LORD will bless his people with peace.”

When a person spends time delighting in the Lord’s goodness from day to day, he reaches a stage where he finds it hard to contain the joy of knowing the Lord. David reached one of those moments when he composed this Psalm. He was so filled with wonder and admiration for all that the Lord had done for him that he wrote in glowing terms of the good things of the Lord. We could call this Psalm a skip for joy that flows from the joy of knowing the Lord.

Blessed be the LORD

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Psalm 28:6–9, “Blessed be the LORD, because he hath heard the voice of my supplications. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him. The LORD is their strength, and he is the saving strength of his anointed. Save thy people, and bless thine inheritance: feed them also, and lift them up for ever.”

David prayed and asked the Lord to hear his cry. The Lord heard his cry and acted for good and for the glory of His Name. We should remember that, when the Lord hears, He always acts for good rather than just acknowledging that someone has spoken. David knew that the Lord is always faithful and reliable. The Lord provided David with both defensive and offensive security. David would be safe when others attacked him but he would also be able to defend himself against his enemies. David gave a prayer of praise and rejoicing because David knew that the Lord would always work for the good of His people so that they could enjoy His goodness.

Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock

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Psalm 28:1–5, “Unto thee will I cry, O LORD my rock; be not silent to me: lest, if thou be silent to me, I become like them that go down into the pit. Hear the voice of my supplications, when I cry unto thee, when I lift up my hands toward thy holy oracle. Draw me not away with the wicked, and with the workers of iniquity, which speak peace to their neighbours, but mischief is in their hearts. Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavours: give them after the work of their hands; render to them their desert. Because they regard not the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he shall destroy them, and not build them up.”

When David was in trouble, he knew that he could cry out to the Lord for the Lord would always hear him. The Lord is the Rock on Whom the entire creation is founded. If the Lord were not to hear David’s cry then David would be no different to those who chose not to believe in the Lord and would, eventually, finish in hell. David prayed that the Lord would save him from evil men, who wanted to destroy him. They didn’t want to bring glory to the Lord’s Name but were only interested in their own glory.

Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice

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Psalm 27:7–14, “Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me. When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. Hide not thy face far from me; put not thy servant away in anger: thou hast been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation. When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up. Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of mine enemies. Deliver me not over unto the will of mine enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty. I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.”

David believed in and loved the Lord. He prayed that the Lord would keep him in the right way to enjoy all the Lord’s goodness. He wanted to spend time whenever he had decision to make consulting the Lord and finding the Lord’s wisdom. He knew that the Lord would still be with him if everyone else deserted him. The Lord created the land of living and gave real, satisfying, spiritual life to those who trusted in Him.

The LORD is my light and my salvation

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Psalm 27:1–6, “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Though an host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident. One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock. And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.”

When the Lord, Who made everything and controls creation, is on our side we don’t have anyone else to fear. He gives us strength and protects us from those who want to destroy us. If the Lord is so good and cares so much then we should long to be with Him forever. We can think about Him every day and give Him thanks for the fact that He only does good things and not bad things. We can practice for the time when we go to be with Him forever if we take time now to live in the light of His goodness and love each day. We can add to our experience by giving Him thanks and praise whenever we have a few quiet moments.

I will wash mine hands in innocency

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Psalm 26:6–12, “I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O LORD: That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works. LORD, I have loved the habitation of thy house, and the place where thine honour dwelleth. Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloody men: In whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes. But as for me, I will walk in mine integrity: redeem me, and be merciful unto me. My foot standeth in an even place: in the congregations will I bless the LORD.”

It was hard for a person to maintain their ceremonial purity all day, every day. They would come into contact with unclean things during the normal course of their existence. In order to be ceremonially pure that person would have to wash themselves. David said that he didn’t become impure through deliberate sin but just through the normal course of his life. He was able to go the Lord's altar and offer his sacrifices and praises with a pure heart rather than as a hypocrite. He loved serving the Lord and prayed that he would not be forced to live with sinners and those who deliberately led other astray. He preferred to live and upright life before the Lord and praise the Lord with a pure heart.