064. Psalms

The Prayers Contained In The Psalms. As these prayers have been referred to in a former part of this work, and as it is not within the limit of the present volume, to comment upon or write each one of them out in order, we shall only allude to some of the more important among them, making, as it were, an index for the reader, which we trust will lead to an examination of the prayers as they are recorded in God’s word.

We find in the prayers contained in the book of Psalms the language of every heart awakened to a sense of its obligations to God. Here is mourning for sin, thirsting after God and rejoicing in him; here is the language of the soul borne down by sorrow and grief, struggling against the temptation of a wicked world, and the “song of triumph” and hope of deliverance; indeed there is a prayer for every possible frame of feeling which can belong to any penitent under any circumstances. The Psalms have been called an epitome of the Bible adapted to the purposes of devotion. “They present religion to us in its most engaging dress, communicating truths which philosophy could never investigate, in a style which poetry could never equal, while history is made the vehicle of prophecy, and creation lends all its charms to paint the glories of redemption” (Bishop Horne). They are called the “Psalms of David,” as he was undoubtedly the writer of the greater part of them, and he was warranted in saying of them, “The spirit of the Lord spake by me, and his word was in my tongue.” In some of the prayers there is apparently a spirit of private resentment, and Scott, in remarking upon this says, these must be considered as direct prophecies or divinely inspired declarations of the certain doom awaiting all opposers of Christ and his cause and people. We mention this here, to disabuse the mind of an objection often offered against some of these petitions, and would recommend a prayerful spirit with their careful perusal. The answers to many of them will be scattered throughout the Old as well as New Testament.

Prayer of David when he fled from Absalom.—Psalms 3:1. The Answer.—Psalms 3:4.

Prayer of David in Sickness.—Psalms 6:1-2. The Answer.—Psalms 29:11. See also Psalms 6:9. A Prayer of David in the midst of the Wicked.—Psalms 10:1. The Answer.—Psalms 10:17.

Prayer of David that God will deliver him from his enemy.—Psalms 13:1. The Answer.—Isaiah 54:7-8.

Prayer of David for the Solvation of Israel.—Psalms 14:7. The Answer.—John 8:36.

Prayer of David for God’s Protection.—Psalms 17:8. The Answer.—Psalms 91:4.

Prayer of David that he may be heard always.—Psalms 19:14. The Answer.—Psalms 37:4.

Prayer of David for Protection.—Psalms 25:1-5. The Answer.—Psalms 24:9, 1 John 4:4.

Prayer of David that God will be his Judge.—Psalms 26:1. The Answer.—Psalms 32:8. (AlsoRomans 14:4.) Prayer of David to be taught of the Lord.—Psalms 27:11. The Answer.—Psalms 25:8; Psalms 25:12.

Prayer of David to be led in the Way of the Lord.—Psalms 31:3. The Answer.—Jeremiah 31:9.

Prayer of David in great Grief—Psalms 31:9-10. The Answer.—Psalms 32:10, Isaiah 40:29.

Prayer of David that God would defend him in his Fight against his Enemies.—Psalms 35:4-6. The Answer.—Psalms 34:21, Psalms 36:12.

Prayer of David for Light and Truth.—Psalms 43:3. The Answer.—Proverbs 4:18.

Prayer in which David confesses original depravity.—Psalms 51:1-10.

(This Prayer is continued through the Psalm.) The Answer.—1 John 1:7, Jeremiah 3:22, Jeremiah 31:3.

Prayer of David in Terror from his Enemies.—Psalms 55:1-5. The Answer.—John 16:33.

Prayer of David that God will not forsake him in Old Age.—Psalms 71:18-19. The Answer.—Isaiah 66:3-4.

Prayer of David that Affliction may be sanctified.—Psalms 90:15. The Answer.—Psalms 94:12-13.

Psalms 109:25-28, Prayer for spiritual Life.—Psalms 119:17-19. The Answer.—John 12:46, John 13:12.

Prayer of David that he may be delivered from the deceitful.—Psalms 120:2-4.

There are two instances in the sacred record of David hiding in a cave, or concealing himself from his enemies; on one he is driven from the court of Achish, on the other from Saul, who was seeking him. It is supposed by commentators that this prayer was made on one of these occasions:

Prayer of David from the Cave of Adullam.—Psalms 142:1-7