David’s prayer at the time of his most severe personal suffering is a beautiful example of how to come to God for help and put all of our hope in him. First, David describes his sufferings and pain in detail. He knows that some of his sufferings are because of his own sin (5), while others are unjust persecution due to his zeal for the Lord (9). Regardless, he feels the pain of them all! Others do not understand what he is going through and even mock him (10-12).

When we feel, like David, that we are drowning in troubles, we can turn to the Lord and seek the salvation that comes only from him. (13-21). David also asks God to pass judgment on those who have persecuted him without cause (22-28). It is not necessarily a sin to pray for this, because we entrust judgment to God and don’t take revenge for ourselves. Finally, David decides by faith to praise the Lord, confident that he hears his prayer (30-36).

This prayer, inspired by the Holy Spirit, became a prophecy about the sufferings and death of Christ (9, 21). Jesus suffered all the judgment that our sins deserved, and God answered Jesus’ prayer for himself and for our forgiveness.
Application: Father, thank you for showing me how I can come to you when I am drowning in troubles. Thank you for Jesus who suffered for my sins.
One Word: Pray for God’s salvation from troubles