Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness! You have given me relief when I was in distress. Be gracious to me and hear my prayer! O men, how long shall my honor be turned into shame? How long will you love vain words and seek after lies? (Selah) But know that the LORD has set apart the godly for himself; the LORD hears when I call to him.1
David didn’t feel entitled; rather his plea for an answer was a posture of desperation and a confident expectation that he could ask God and he would answer. The Psalms (particularly the chapters authored by David) indicate David’s deep familiarity and love for God’s law, the Torah. He knew that God is righteous and abhors evil. He uses the name LORD—Sovereign, King—more than the name God—Creator, Savior. His boldness stems from his relationship with God. And those who know your name put their trust in you, for you, O LORD, have not forsaken those who seek you.2
Arise, O LORD! Save me, O my God! For you strike all my enemies on the cheek; you break the teeth of the wicked.3 For you are not a God who delights in wickedness; evil may not dwell with you. The boastful shall not stand before your eyes; you hate all evildoers. You destroy those who speak lies; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.4
Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray.5 David knew that God was steadfast and unchanging. He rescued him before, even as a young shepherd boy,6 and would do it again. Yet he didn’t treat God as a genie, to be accessed for favor only when needed. David understood that it was through grace that he would be favored. We know that God does not listen to sinners, but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does his will, God listens to him.7 To the wicked God says, When you spread out your hands, I will hide my eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not listen . . .8 If one turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.9 Not David! His relationship with God was personal and intimate. He was led by the Spirit.10 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.11 And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God.12
Give ear to my words, O LORD; consider my groaning. Give attention to the sound of my cry, my King and my God, for to you do I pray.13 Let all who take refuge in you rejoice; let them ever sing for joy, and spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may exult in you. For you bless the righteous, O LORD; you cover him with favor as with a shield.14
O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!15
Notes:
1. Psalm 4:1-3
2. Psalm 9:10
3. Psalm 3:7
4. Psalm 5:4-6
5. Psalm 5:2
6. 1 Samuel 17:34-37
7. John 9:31
8. Isaiah 1:15
9. Proverbs 28:9
10. 1 Samuel 16:13
11. Romans 8:14
12. Galatians 4:6-7
13. Psalm 5:1-2
14. Psalm 5:11-12
15. Psalm 8:1,9
