A Prayer for the Morning

We don’t know what lies behind this psalm, so we’re free to use it whenever we encounter wickedness. The wicked are mentioned a lot here (4-6,8-10) but the psalm is actually positive. First, the psalmist asks God to listen to him (1-3). Clearly in dire trouble, David asks God to “listen. . . hear. . . hear.” Yet, in spite of his desperation, commendable qualities shine through, like spring flowers in a snow-covered garden. He prays because he knows God is a powerful sovereign who can intervene and rescue him. This mighty God, however, is no remote deity but his personal God: “my King and God.” David doesn’t pray just because it’s an emergency; this is part of his daily spiritual exercise and morning routine. He’s humbly prepared to “wait expectantly” for God. He knows his place, which he occupies with faith.

 Second, he asks God to love him (7); that’s what he needs above all else. The love he seeks is neither a spasmodic affair, nor a temporary comfort blanket. It is God’s faithful love based on the covenant–a love that has shape, purpose and expectations attached. This love gives David confidence to come into God’s presence and worship him. The focus is on God, not on David–which challenges much contemporary, self-absorbed worship.

 Third, he asks God to lead him (8-12). David says some harsh things about the wicked–they’re arrogant, liars, violent and untrustworthy rebels. His natural reaction, and ours, might be to take the law into his own hands, but he prays, “Lead me. . . in your righteousness.” He needs God’s protection to ensure that their sin doesn’t make him sin and that he leaves issues of justice in God’s hands (Rom. 12:17-21). It’s a prayer he prays not only for himself but for all who are righteous (12).

If one element of this psalm is more relevant to you than another, which is it? What will you do about it?