This prayer begins with a soul level, desperate longing for God to hear, listen and take notice of the prayer and to answer.
1 Listen to my prayer, O God,
do not ignore my plea;
2 hear
me and answer me.
David is concerned that God may respond like a person who walks near another in dire need and ignores their plight.
“Listen to my prayer” is not a proud command from a mortal to the Almighty but a begging birthed in humility.
In some ways, “O God,” is the sum total of all prayer.
Evangelist Duane Parrish, following extensive speech center brain surgery, could not read, write or talk. He could only say two words, “O God.”
From my perspective, O carries all the meaning of one’s whole being and when directed to God is the sum total of all prayer.
Prayer isn’t reduced to two words, 0 God, but elevated to the deepest cry of the inner person.
This depth of prayer flows from a heart that is struggling.
- My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught. Vs. 2
- David’s thoughts are troubling to him.
- David’s connects his thought life to him being distraught, which is being stirred up with inner conflict, uncertainty or pain.
- My heart is in
anguish within me. Vs. 4
- Anguish is the extreme pain and misery of the inner being.
- Not a dance of love or joy, but a writhing in pain.
David directs his whole being, even in immeasurable misery, toward God.
- 16 As for me, I call to God,
and the Lord saves me. - Notice the regularity of David’s call to God.
17 Evening, morning and noon
I cry out in distress,
and he hears my voice.
David speaks faith to his own soul.
- 22 Cast your cares on the Lord
and he will sustain you;
he will never let
the righteous be shaken. - Self-talk
is encouraged throughout the Bible.
- David encouraged himself in the Lord.
- Why art thou so downcast, oh my soul?
David ends with the expansive expression of all true faith.
- But as for me, I trust in you.