Read
(By David for the music leader. To the tune “Lilies.”)
God Can Be Trusted
1Save me, God!
I am about to drown.
2I am sinking deep in the mud,
and my feet are slipping.
I am about to be swept under
by a mighty flood.
3I am worn out from crying,
and my throat is dry.
I have waited for you
till my eyes are blurred.
4 There are more people
who hate me for no reason
than there are hairs
on my head.
Many terrible enemies
want to destroy me, God.
Am I supposed to give back
something I didn't steal?
5You know my foolish sins.
Not one is hidden from you.
6Lord God All-Powerful,
ruler of Israel,
don't let me embarrass anyone
who trusts and worships you.
7It is for your sake alone
that I am insulted
and blush with shame.
8I am like a stranger
to my relatives
and like a foreigner
to my own family.
9 My love for your house
burns in me like a fire,
and when others insult you,
they insulted me as well.
10I cried and went without food,
but they still insulted me.
11They sneered at me
for wearing sackcloth
to show my sorrow.
12Rulers and judges gossip
about me,
and drunkards make up songs
to mock me.
13But I pray to you, Lord.
So when the time is right,
answer me and help me
with your wonderful love.
14Don't let me sink in the mud,
but save me from my enemies
and from the deep water.
15Don't let me be
swept away by a flood
or drowned in the ocean
or swallowed by death.
16Answer me, Lord!
You are kind and good.
Pay attention to me!
You are truly merciful.
17Don't turn away from me.
I am your servant,
and I am in trouble.
Please hurry and help!
18Come and save me
from my enemies.
19You know how I am insulted,
mocked, and disgraced;
you know every one
of my enemies.
20I am crushed by insults,
and I feel sick.
I had hoped for mercy and pity,
but there was none.
21 Enemies poisoned my food,
and when I was thirsty,
they gave me vinegar.
22 Make their table a trap
for them and their friends.
23Blind them with darkness
and make them tremble.
24Show them how angry you are!
Be furious and catch them.
25 Destroy their camp
and don't let anyone live
in their tents.
26They cause trouble for people
you have already punished;
their gossip hurts those
you have wounded.
27Make them guiltier than ever
and don't forgive them.
28 Wipe their names from the book
of the living;
remove them from the list
of the innocent.
29I am mistreated and in pain.
Protect me, God,
and keep me safe!
30I will praise the Lord God
with a song
and a thankful heart.
31This will please the Lord
better than offering an ox
or a full-grown bull.
32When those in need see this,
they will be happy,
and the Lord's worshipers
will be encouraged.
33The Lord will listen
when the homeless cry out,
and he will never forget
his people in prison.
34Heaven and earth
will praise our God,
and so will the oceans
and everything in them.
35God will rescue Jerusalem,
and he will rebuild
the towns of Judah.
His people will live there
on their own land,
36and when the time comes,
their children will inherit
the land.
Then everyone who loves God
will also settle there.
Reflect
Have you ever felt like the world is collapsing all around you? With very descriptive language, the writer expresses the deepest of emotions to God. It is an encouragement to know that God is not afraid to hear what is going on in the depths of our hearts – no matter how dark those feelings may be. In verse 9, David describes how he is being attacked because of the depth of his love for God and the things that are important to God.
Maybe you are facing criticism or attacks because of your faith in God – maybe you feel all alone and angry and desperate at what others are saying to you and about you. If so, this Psalm is for you.
Many followers of Jesus have two responses when attacked for their beliefs. On one side, we like to pray for God’s protection – which usually means “God remove this attack from my life.” This type of response can lead us to back down because we do not want to offend others or create conflict. On the other side, many will begin to look for ways to attack those who seem to be our enemies.
At first glance, this seems to be what David does when he prays for God’s rage to be poured out on his enemies. But there is something very important in these prayers for all of us to remember. David leaves the vengeance against these enemies of his faith in the hands of God instead of taking revenge himself.
The Psalm closes with a promise of God’s commitment to those who are faithful. This is a powerful reminder to cling to God and his promises when we face the darkest nights of our soul as followers of Jesus Christ.
Respond
Dear Father God, I know that Jesus was consumed with a deep love for you and the things that matter to you. Help me to have that same passion in my own heart. When I face attacks or criticism because of my commitment to you, give me the courage not to back down and the strength not to strike back against my enemies. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
Kirk Giles
Kirk Giles is Co-Lead Pastor of Forward Church – a multisite church in the Waterloo Region area of Ontario. He previously served as President of Promise Keepers Canada | Impactus – a global ministry equipping men for a life of purpose and godly impact. Kirk is married to Shannon and together, they have four adult children and two daughters-in-law.