Author: Hannah Thacher

Psalm 13 is another example of an honest psalm. David feels distant and abandoned by God–and he tells God that. In the opening two verses, David asks the question “how long?” a total of four times. He wants to know how long it will be before God will remember him, show His face, and rescue him again. David doesn’t hold back. At first glance, we might even think it’s too honest. Are we even allowed to talk to God like that? But such is the beauty of the psalms. They give us permission to voice our feelings to God. Who of us can’t relate to this psalm? At one point or another, we’ve all felt abandoned or forgotten by God. We’ve all wondered how long and we’ve all pleaded with God to show up for us again. David here gives us a template to follow for when we feel like this.

Even though he feels forgotten and abandoned by God, he still approaches God. Even though God feels distant, David still draws near. Even though he probably doubted that God was listening, he still prayed. David knows that he can’t trust his feelings. Feelings are real but they aren’t always reliable. He can acknowledge how he feels, but it doesn’t change the truth of who God is. So, at the end of the psalm, he reminds himself of the truth of God’s goodness, even if he isn’t currently feeling it.

When God isn’t answering our prayers how we want Him to (or as quickly as we want Him to), let’s remember this psalm and follow David’s response. Ask your questions, plead your case, beg God to show up, express your emotions, but then center your feelings in truth. 

Because, as Isaiah 49 says, when God’s people said that the Lord had forgotten them, God responded by saying this: “Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I will not forget you. See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands.” No matter how you may feel at times, God cannot forget His children. He is good, He is faithful, and He is with you.

In this chapter, David is experiencing what so many of us deal with still today—the feeling that the faithful are few, and grow fewer every day. Keep in mind, David was a fierce warrior and soldier, yet it was not the physical battlefield that sent him to his knees. It was the lies and deception in the hearts of those around him that broke David and caused him to lament that the “loyal have vanished from the human race.” If you have ever felt alone, felt the betrayal of another (as we all have at some point), then you can recognize and empathize with the sorrow that David is expressing. It is likely familiar.

Let’s pause and recognize how he expresses that sorrow. He doesn’t grow angry at the human race. He doesn’t doubt his God’s presence or power over it all, just because it seems like the entire human race has become vile. And it doesn’t say that David tries to do anything about it himself—even though it is very likely that he could have. He was one of the best and most honored soldiers working in the king’s court. At times, he had close contact with the leader of the land. Yet, David didn’t go to the king. He went to the King.

We often forget that God doesn’t need our help. When things hurt us, offend us, or violate what we think is right, we spring into action, especially if we have access or ability to fix the problem at hand. But David knew that despite his position, status, and proximity to power, the strongest weapon he had in his arsenal was prayer. It was only God who would arise and act on behalf of the poor and needy who were being victimized. It was only the power of God’s pure words, in contrast to the lies of the people around David, that would pass the test of time and was worthy of his trust. 

What a humbling thought that God, in all His glory and power, arises on our behalf and in our defense. As Spurgeon describes it, “Think of God arising in his might….Sighing child of God, it is you who can bring him into this marvelous state of activity.” When we lose faith or have a broken heart over the things surrounding us, we need only to remember that it is our acknowledged need that spurs God into action. We just have to ask—and watch Him arise.

Protection provides peace. This is a simple truth that has a profound impact on our lives. Whenever we don’t feel protected, we’ll be prone to anxious thoughts and sleepless nights. We’ve all had moments where we feel a lack of protection when our finances aren’t steady, our health is disrupted, or our standing at our job is in question. Whenever these things are going awry, it’s hard to have peace because we don’t feel protected. In other words, our protection comes from our circumstances. In Psalm 11 we read about one of these situations where it seems like David’s protection has been removed. His enemies are after him and have him in their sights. David should be panicked. David should be on the run. David should be frustrated with God. But he isn’t.

In the midst of his dangerous circumstances, David is still at peace. He finds rest in the presence of his enemies because he knows that, “the LORD is righteous, he loves justice, the upright will see his face” (vs. 7). Even though David’s situation seems out of control, his demeanor remains steady. He’s at peace because he believes the eyes of the Lord are on him and the power of God is with him.

Since David doesn’t find his protection from anything in the world, the world can’t take it away. He knows that his only true security can be found in the King who has never met an enemy too powerful. Therefore, although David’s life is at risk, he’s still at rest. Whenever we face chaos in our lives we can live with the same sort of confidence. We’re protected by the God of angel armies, and because of that we can live at peace.

One of the beautiful things about the psalms is the honesty and the vulnerability with which they are written. Psalm 10 is another example of that as David writes from a place a lot of us can resonate with: frustration with the world around us. The psalm, which some scholars consider to be a continuation of Psalm 9, starts off with David looking at the wickedness all around him and wondering aloud why God isn’t striking the evildoers around him down. It’s a question that we, if we’re honest, have likely asked God before too. Why does it seem like evil people prosper? Why does God let that happen? What about those of us doing our best to be faithful?

It isn’t hard to look around us and see evil. We know that the enemy is real and at work in the world. Wicked people live as if there is no God, amassing empires, mistreating those around them, and living as if this life is the ultimate. It shouldn’t surprise us—it’s their worldview. David is frustrated by this and begs and pleads with God to intervene. It’s a good reminder for us. Even when we feel discouraged by the brokenness surrounding us, we can pause and plead with God to restore the world, all while knowing that there will always be brokenness on this side of eternity. 

David closes out this psalm by doing something that was common practice in the lives of all Old Testament saints when faced with trials: He praises God, listing off attributes of God. He knows that God hears the afflicted and he finds comfort in that. This psalm that began with frustration ends with hopeful faith. God wins! At the end of the day, when we lay our heads on our pillows, we can find comfort in the fact that God will hold everyone accountable for their lives lived here on earth. The wicked will be punished. The faithful will be rewarded. God is on His throne. And that is where our hope lies.

God is never deaf to His children’s cries for help and mercy. Read that again. God is NEVER deaf to His children’s cries for help and mercy. David not only knew that truth, he experienced it. Time and time again when David was desperate for God’s presence, power, and provision, God answered his pleas. It’s why David penned these words:

“You have upheld me.” (vs. 4)

“You are a refuge.” (vs. 9)

“You have NEVER forsaken those who seek you.” (vs. 10)

“You will never forget the needy.” (vs. 18)

God’s refuge and reign produced prayer and praise in David. With his whole heart, he praised God…even when he was experiencing pain and suffering (vs 13). God is big enough to handle both our praise and our pleas. Our honest prayers honor Him. He has not forgotten you.

And, we must not forget Him. In this chapter of Psalms alone we observe the following: He is worthy of praise, He is generous in deeds, He is MOST HIGH, He is righteous, He is just, He is eternal, He reigns forever, He is a refuge, a stronghold, He remembers His children, He never forgets the needy, and He has NEVER forsaken those who seek Him.

God is never deaf to His children’s cries for help and mercy. Let’s thank Him for His faithfulness. He is a good Father. He can be trusted.

Psalm 8 begins and ends by proclaiming God’s majesty (some Biblical interpretations use “excellent” instead). Because it holds the important place of the start and finish to David’s song, let’s dig a little deeper to understand the meaning.

Psalm 8 claims the Lord’s name is majestic, or “addir” in Hebrew. This was the same word used to describe kings, nobles, and rulers – those who held authority over lands, nations, and people. Their words would determine the fate of countries and write the history of civilizations. So, when David proclaims that the Lord’s name is “addir,” we know the song will speak to the power and authority of God as creator and ruler.

In Psalm 8, we see David mirror Genesis 1, where God creates the heavens, the earth, and all its inhabitants. God breathed words and galaxies materialized, some of which we haven’t even discovered yet. He subdued the raging waters with earth to create land that bears fruit. He carefully designed each bird, animal, and sea creature for His specific purpose, and it began to fly, run, and swim at His command. Then, He created humans, which seem so small compared to the vastness of the universe, and yet, it all was created with us in mind. Not only do we get to be here, created and living in the midst of His glory, but then He bestowed on us the power and authority over all His creation. What an awesome responsibility we hold!

How often do we take a moment to recognize this? In the midst of our work, school, and schedules, we mistakenly can begin to think our lives revolve around our activities in our world. The truth is our lives were created to actively care for God’s activities in His world. We (humans) have been anointed His representatives on earth with “a crown of glory and honor” (verse 5) so that we might share in the joy of His majesty.

In Psalm 7, we read a cry of anguish from David. He cries to the Lord for deliverance from his enemy. In his opening words, David shares how he takes refuge in the Lord. He is not seeking shelter in distractions or people, but he is going first to his Savior. Distractions don’t save us from pain, sorrow, hurt, shame, or guilt. David knew that the Lord had to be his source of deliverance and protection.

Not only did David turn to the Lord in the midst of his pain, but he also prayed. David wanted justice. He wanted God to make things right. He prayed with faith knowing that the Lord could act on his behalf. But, even if the Lord didn’t answer his prayer in the way David desires, David still sings praise and worship to the Lord with a thankful heart. David’s faith and his relationship with God were not defined by his circumstances. He chose instead to thank God and trust Him despite not knowing the outcome.

God may not be answering our prayers how we want them to be answered right now, but we still can choose to praise the Most High. He is above our circumstances, and He is greater than enemies we are fighting. We can dwell with Him, our Refuge, in the waiting. Yet, do not just sit there stagnant in the waiting; follow David’s example and pray for wisdom, correction, and guidance. God is waiting to reveal more of Himself to us, are you listening for what He is trying to say?

Psalms 6 is categorized as the first of the Penitential Psalms–which is a big word that means an expression of repentance. The Psalmists in these particular psalms are expressing sorrow over sin and spiritual failure. King David is the writer of Psalms 6. He is in deep affliction and uses this opportunity to poetically express his weariness to the Lord.

Based on the language that is used, we can conclude that David is feeling not only helpless, but also hopeless in his situation. In verse 2, we learn that his circumstances have left him with physical ailments (“Heal me O Lord for my bones are in agony.”) Then in verse 3, he expresses that he is also agonizing spiritually (“I am sick at heart. How long, O Lord, until you restore me?”) And in verses 6 and 7, we feel the weight of the emotional toll that this is taking on him (“I am worn out from sobbing. All night I flood my bed with weeping, drenching it with my tears. My vision is blurred by grief; my eyes are worn out because of all my enemies.”)

Regardless of the details of the situation he is lamenting about, we can conclude that David is desperately appealing to God for relief. It’s important to point out, though, that David’s laments in this chapter are not complaints–he is not placing blame on God for the situation that he has found himself in. Instead, he is pouring his soul out to God and asking for mercy.

As we continue reading in verse 8, we see that David’s tone makes a sudden change from sorrow to a confident expression of joy “…for the Lord has heard my weeping. The Lord has heard my plea; the Lord will answer my prayer.” Despite his physical, spiritual, and emotional turmoil, David chose to not stay in that place. He turned his deep felt grief and weariness into a prayer to God and by the time he got to the end of his prayer, he found himself knowing with confidence that God had heard him and would answer him.

The natural human response to hopeless and helpless situations is to complain and to search for someone to blame. As Christians though, we should learn from the pattern that King David established here in Psalms 6. Express your sorrows to the Lord through prayer. Allow your honesty and vulnerability to be an appeal to God for mercy and relief. And then TRUST and know with confidence that God has heard your weeping and will answer your prayer!

In this chapter, we can see that David is urgent, sorrowful, and begging to be heard by God.  But realizing that his words might not be enough, that he might not be able to even form the words he needs, he asks God to consider his sighing and hear his cries. David knew that sometimes there are situations that are too difficult, too heart wrenching, too confusing, to even form words of prayer.

Perhaps it’s familiar to you what is happening in Psalm 5. Parents quickly learn to recognize their child’s cry, whether hungry, mad, sad, hurt, or simply tired. A young child doesn’t have to use words, because the parent recognizes and understands what is meant by the cry for help. The same is true with our Father! Jeremiah 29:12 tells us that when we pray, God listens. And Romans 8:26 further encourages us that in our weakness, when we don’t even know the words to use, the Holy Spirit intercedes for us. How awesome a thought that our cries reach the very heart of the Creator of the universe. He hears them, He understands them, and He takes delight in being the One to whom we cry out!

In return, God asks us to remember His faithfulness. In Joshua 4, as Joshua was about to lead the people into the Promised Land, God told them to set up stones as a memorial of all the ways He had taken care of them during their years of deliverance. He wanted those stones to be a sign to later generations that God kept His promises and provided for His people.

That is the same God that we worship today. For thousands and thousands of years, God has remained available, consistent, and faithful.  It does not matter what we say, how we say it, or if we can even “say” it. We can speak, we can sigh, or we can cry. It does not matter. All that matters is that we show up, that we trust Him, and that we remember to testify about His faithfulness to the generations after us. Whatever it is that we need, God hears it. He knows us, He loves us, and He is listening. Take time today to let Him know what you need.