¹ Save me, O God, for the waters have come up to my neck.
² I sink in deep mire, where there is no foothold;
I have come into deep waters, and the flood sweeps over me.
³ I am weary with my crying; my throat is parched.
My eyes grow dim with waiting for my God.

¹⁶ Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good;
according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.
¹⁷ Do not hide your face from your servant, for I am in distress—make haste to answer me.
¹⁸ Draw near to me, redeem me, set me free because of my enemies.

³⁴ Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves in them.
³⁵ For God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah;
and his servants shall live^[c] there and possess it;
³⁶ the children of his servants shall inherit it,
and those who love his name shall live in it.

Have you grown weary with worry and crying? As you have considered what the past few months have meant for so many in our world, and as you consider what the next few months might hold for us in regards to health, livelihood, and lifestyle, are you feeling fatigued?

Psalm 97 is the song of a child of God who felt like he was drowning in the storms of his life and times. People of faith can grow sad and somber. And yet the Psalmist also knew how to sound chords of hope:

¹⁶ Answer me, O Lord, for your steadfast love is good; according to your abundant mercy, turn to me.

God is good – and merciful – and loving —–

³⁴ Let heaven and earth praise him, the seas and everything that moves in them.
³⁵ For God will save Zion and rebuild the cities of Judah; and his servants shall live^[c] there and possess it;
³⁶ the children of his servants shall inherit it, and those who love his name shall live in it.

Old Testament cities were not rebuilt overnight. And reclaiming health and restarting a nation may not be as swift as we hope. But the steadfast God answers prayers, and those who love God’s name will still get to live in God’s holy land.

Prayer

Answer me, O Lord, for Your steadfast love is good. Help me to experience Your abundant mercy as You turn to me each day. Amen.