I cried unto thee, O LORD: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living.
David prayed this from deep affliction in the cave while fleeing Saul amid long years of trial, overwhelmed and alone with foes plotting in darkness to overthrow him and laying a secret snare to hedge his way. To cry is to pray with the voice and with ardent affection and deep supplication, pouring out wants and wishes and showing trouble and complaint before the throne to the Lord who knows all sorrow, with sore and pinching distress extorting even vocal cries when no one is near. Such crying prayer pierces heaven and is not unpleasant to God. To call the Lord refuge and portion is to make Him stay and strength and hiding-place and strong tower of defense and Rock of Ages for feeble, helpless mortals, as the conies though a feeble folk make their houses in the rocks, resting in God rather than trusting a pursuer like Saul. Crying gives faith courage, and tears water faith until it grows into confidence that the Lord is refuge and portion in the land of the living, concluding that He will deal bountifully and the righteous will crown the crier as conqueror, so a crying crier becomes a triumphant praiser who relies on the Saviour for help to keep moving forward in faith.
The verse recounts wonderful goodness, promises to Israel, power to save and to keep, and goodness in all dealings with the children of men. The land of the living is not this present world but the future life beyond death, for this present world is the land of the dying, while the true land of the living is where believers will meet again to live without dying, as a lasting share in life. In this present land of desolation the Lord is strength and portion to the overwhelmed soul.
David prayed this from deep affliction in the cave while fleeing Saul amid long years of trial, overwhelmed and alone with foes plotting in darkness to overthrow him and laying a secret snare to hedge his way. To cry is to pray with the voice and with ardent affection and deep supplication, pouring out wants and wishes and showing trouble and complaint before the throne to the Lord who knows all sorrow, with sore and pinching distress extorting even vocal cries when no one is near. Such crying prayer pierces heaven and is not unpleasant to God. To call the Lord refuge and portion is to make Him stay and strength and hiding-place and strong tower of defense and Rock of Ages for feeble, helpless mortals, as the conies though a feeble folk make their houses in the rocks, resting in God rather than trusting a pursuer like Saul. Crying gives faith courage, and tears water faith until it grows into confidence that the Lord is refuge and portion in the land of the living, concluding that He will deal bountifully and the righteous will crown the crier as conqueror, so a crying crier becomes a triumphant praiser who relies on the Saviour for help to keep moving forward in faith.
The verse recounts wonderful goodness, promises to Israel, power to save and to keep, and goodness in all dealings with the children of men. The land of the living is not this present world but the future life beyond death, for this present world is the land of the dying, while the true land of the living is where believers will meet again to live without dying, as a lasting share in life. In this present land of desolation the Lord is strength and portion to the overwhelmed soul.