“Lord, Teach Us To Pray”

Please see the links to our EXTRA Bible Study notes at the bottom of the page.

Opening Prayer

You, Lord, are my Maker and my God. Lead on, King Eternal, as I render all praise to You.

Read Psalm 59

^[1] For the director of music. To the tune of “Do Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam. When Saul had sent men to watch David’s house in order to kill him. Deliver me from my enemies, O God; be my fortress against those who are attacking me. ^[2] Deliver me from evildoers and save me from those who are after my blood. ^[3] See how they lie in wait for me! Fierce men conspire against me for no offense or sin of mine, LORD. ^[4] I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. Arise to help me; look on my plight! ^[5] You, LORD God Almighty, you who are the God of Israel, rouse yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to wicked traitors. ^[6] They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city. ^[7] See what they spew from their mouths- the words from their lips are sharp as swords, and they think, “Who can hear us?” ^[8] But you laugh at them, LORD; you scoff at all those nations. ^[9] You are my strength, I watch for you; you, God, are my fortress, ^[10] my God on whom I can rely. God will go before me and will let me gloat over those who slander me. ^[11] But do not kill them, Lord our shield, or my people will forget. In your might uproot them and bring them down. ^[12] For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride. For the curses and lies they utter, ^[13] consume them in your wrath, consume them till they are no more. Then it will be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob. ^[14] They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city. ^[15] They wander about for food and howl if not satisfied. ^[16] But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. ^[17] You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely.

Meditate

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Phil. 4:6).

Think Further

For the background to this psalm, see 1 Samuel 19:1–17. David’s

unnerving experience while living under surveillance and constant threat (see the psalm’s title)

drives him to prayer. He prays first for his own immediate need (1–4). “I have done no wrong” is

not a claim to sinless perfection but a rebuttal of the specific charge against him, namely of

disloyalty to Saul. David’s clear conscience contrasts with the wicked deeds, plans and words of

his enemies. Prayer for his own immediate situation leads him on to pray for a global outworking

of justice which will simultaneously punish the wicked (5) and benefit both the Lord and his

people (11–13). David’s prayers are big, honest, bold and confident: “Arise… Rouse yourself…

Do not kill them… Consume them in wrath” (4,5,11,13). His trusting, sincere words contrast

with the mocking words of his enemies, “Who can hear us?” (7). You may like to spend some

time meditating on the biblical description of words as “swords” and comparing verse 7 with

other passages of Scripture (Psa. 57:4; 64:3; Prov. 12:18; Isa. 49:2; Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12; Rev.

1:16, 19:15,21).

Each of David’s prayers is followed by a thoughtful consideration of his situation, first from a

human perspective (3,4,6,7,14,15), then from the perspective of faith (8,16). Notice the “But” in

verses 8 and 16 and consider how faith in the Lord can completely change a believer’s

perspective. The result of his prayer and meditation is a new assurance of security in God “my

strength” and “my fortress” (9,10,16,17). That assurance in turn results in a resolve to watch for

the Lord’s answer to his prayers and to sing in praise of his strength and love (9,17). Think about

how the Lord has answered your own prayers and thank him.

For the background to this psalm, see 1 Samuel 19:1–17. David’s unnerving experience while living under surveillance and constant threat (see the psalm’s title) drives him to prayer. He prays first for his own immediate need (1–4). “I have done no wrong” is not a claim to sinless perfection but a rebuttal of the specific charge against him, namely of disloyalty to Saul. David’s clear conscience contrasts with the wicked deeds, plans and words of his enemies. Prayer for his own immediate situation leads him on to pray for a global outworking of justice which will simultaneously punish the wicked (5) and benefit both the Lord and his people (11–13). David’s prayers are big, honest, bold and confident: “Arise… Rouse yourself… Do not kill them… Consume them in wrath” (4,5,11,13). His trusting, sincere words contrast with the mocking words of his enemies, “Who can hear us?” (7). You may like to spend some time meditating on the biblical description of words as “swords” and comparing verse 7 with other passages of Scripture (Psa. 57:4; 64:3; Prov. 12:18; Isa. 49:2; Eph. 6:17; Heb. 4:12; Rev.
1:16, 19:15,21). Each of David’s prayers is followed by a thoughtful consideration of his situation, first from a human perspective (3,4,6,7,14,15), then from the perspective of faith (8,16). Notice the “But” in verses 8 and 16 and consider how faith in the Lord can completely change a believer’s perspective. The result of his prayer and meditation is a new assurance of security in God “my strength” and “my fortress” (9,10,16,17). That assurance in turn results in a resolve to watch for
the Lord’s answer to his prayers and to sing in praise of his strength and love (9,17). Think about how the Lord has answered your own prayers and thank him.

Apply

Notice the titles used for the Lord in verses 9 and 17 and make them your own as you pray for the needs of your own and other nations.

Closing prayer

Lord, You are a prayer-answering God. I would be lost without You. I love You, Lord.

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