God’s Guiding Word: Prayer

Introduction

Psalm 28: Today’s reading opens with a plea for God’s help and concludes with words of thanksgiving and praise.

Today’s Key Verse: Psalm 28:6

Give praise to the LORD; he has heard my cry for help.

Reading

28 O Lord, my defender, I call to you.
    Listen to my cry!
If you do not answer me,
    I will be among those who go down to the world of the dead.
2 Hear me when I cry to you for help,
    when I lift my hands toward your holy Temple.
3 Do not condemn me with the wicked,
    with those who do evil—
    those whose words are friendly,
    but who have hatred in their hearts.

4 Punish them for what they have done,
    for the evil they have committed.
Punish them for all their deeds;
    give them what they deserve!
5 They take no notice of what the Lord has done
    or of what he has made;
so he will punish them
    and destroy them forever.

6 Give praise to the Lord;
    he has heard my cry for help.
7 The Lord protects and defends me;
    I trust in him.
He gives me help and makes me glad;
    I praise him with joyful songs.

8 The Lord protects his people;
    he defends and saves his chosen king.
9 Save your people, Lord,
    and bless those who are yours.
Be their shepherd,
    and take care of them forever.

Reflect

Verses 1–5 reflect an individual’s lament; verses 6–9 reflect an individual’s song of praise. How would you describe the psalm writer’s feelings in these verses? What causes the writer to cry out to God? How does the writer express his trust in God? What are your thoughts concerning the sudden change in tone at the end of verse 5 and the beginning of verse 6?

Pray

Loving and merciful God, like a shepherd you care for your people. Listen my cry and hear my prayer for _____________________________. In your holy name, I pray. Amen.

Tomorrow’s Reading

Psalm 31: A prayer of trust in God.