PRAISE?
To the leader: Do Not Destroy. Of David. A Miktam, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.
1 Be merciful to me, O God; be merciful to me,
for in you my soul takes refuge;
in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,
until the destroying storms pass by.
2 I cry to God Most High,
to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
3 He will send from heaven and save me;
he will put to shame those who trample on me.
God will send forth his steadfast love and his faithfulness.4 I lie down among lions
that greedily devour human prey;
their teeth are spears and arrows,
their tongues sharp swords.5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens.
Let your glory be over all the earth.6 They set a net for my steps;
my soul was bowed down.
They dug a pit in my path,
but they have fallen into it themselves.
7 My heart is steadfast, O God;
my heart is steadfast.
I will sing and make melody.
8 Awake, my soul!
Awake, O harp and lyre!
I will awake the dawn.
9 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;
I will sing praises to you among the nations.
10 For your steadfast love is as high as the heavens;
your faithfulness extends to the clouds.11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens.
Let your glory be over all the earth.
The compiler of the book of Psalms notes that this song was written by David when he was hiding from Saul in a cave. Having a song of praise arise from a cave, reminds me of the immediate situation/setting of Jonah’s prayer of praise and thanksgiving — from the belly of the whale.
I know that I call out to God for help when I feel that all around me is dark, but do I also remember in that moment to praise the same God I am asking to protect and save me?
Maybe I should.
Prayer
7 My heart is steadfast, O God; my heart is steadfast. I will sing and make melody.
8Awake, my soul! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn.9 I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. 10 For your steadfast love is as high as the heavens; your faithfulness extends to the clouds. Amen.