“Listen to my words, LORD, consider my lament. Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.In the morning, LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly.”

(Psalm 5:1–3 NIV11)

“Hear”

His expectation that God will hear presupposes he has been done an injustice. 

“My”

  • Personal connection with God, “my King… My God”.

“Cry”

  • Cries for help are heard
  • “During the days of Jesus’ life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with fervent cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission.” (Hebrews 5:7 NIV11)

“King”

  • Puts David’s own kingship into correct context.
  • Demonstrates humility and also understanding of his limitations.
  • His problems are not solvable by his own power. 

“God”

  • Elohim: emphasis on strength and power. 

“To you”

  • Rather than attack his enemies, and stoop to their level of behaviour, he takes the high ground and submits himself to God, committing the situation to him. 
  • Be careful in how we react to enemies – Proverbs 26:4-6. 
    • “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him. Answer a fool according to his folly, or he will be wise in his own eyes. Sending a message by the hands of a fool is like cutting off one’s feet or drinking poison.” (Proverbs 26:4–6 NIV11)
  • Bear in mind we are called to love our enemies
    • “But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” (Matthew 5:44)
  • And not to get distracted
    • “Sanballat and Geshem sent me this message: “Come, let us meet together in one of the villages on the plain of Ono.” But they were scheming to harm me; so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?”” (Nehemiah 6:2–3 NIV11)

Most significant phrase for me – “MY”…


“You’re my Friend and You are my Brother, Even though You are a King. I love You more than any other, So much more than anything.”    

“As the deer pants”

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Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: malcolm@malcolmcox.org.

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God bless, Malcolm

PS: You might also be interested in my book: “An elephant’s swimming pool”, a devotional look at the Gospel of John