Hear, O LORD, and have mercy upon me: LORD, be thou my helper.
Psalms 30, 31, and 32 are instructive and helpful when read after the history of David's reign with its difficulties. That history lays out the sad consequences of his many wives and of sons he could not control, Absalom's rebellion and the death of the petted idol of the kingdom, David's lament and return to Jerusalem, his troubles with Joab, and his numbering of the people. It is told with detailed faithfulness that stamps the account with inspiration and shows that God does not hide the sins of even the greatest of kings. The Psalms give help in discouragement, strength in trial, comfort in grief, warnings about sin, and assurance that God is willing and able to save, and they often move from an expression of need to confidence in God.
The verse is the prayer and cry of a person in need and of a troubled soul, asking the Lord to hear, to show mercy, and to be a helper. It expresses dependence on God for help, and it teaches that prayer for His help should be continual. The cry is met by God's assurance and direct answer that He will help, so there is no need to fear. When this path of crying to the Lord was taken, the Lord enabled overcoming and changed mourning into joy, giving reason to praise God continually. He is a buckler to all who trust in Him, a sure friend who gives safety and protection from the sad effects of sin in this world and its dreadful consequences in hell hereafter.
Psalms 30, 31, and 32 are instructive and helpful when read after the history of David's reign with its difficulties. That history lays out the sad consequences of his many wives and of sons he could not control, Absalom's rebellion and the death of the petted idol of the kingdom, David's lament and return to Jerusalem, his troubles with Joab, and his numbering of the people. It is told with detailed faithfulness that stamps the account with inspiration and shows that God does not hide the sins of even the greatest of kings. The Psalms give help in discouragement, strength in trial, comfort in grief, warnings about sin, and assurance that God is willing and able to save, and they often move from an expression of need to confidence in God.
The verse is the prayer and cry of a person in need and of a troubled soul, asking the Lord to hear, to show mercy, and to be a helper. It expresses dependence on God for help, and it teaches that prayer for His help should be continual. The cry is met by God's assurance and direct answer that He will help, so there is no need to fear. When this path of crying to the Lord was taken, the Lord enabled overcoming and changed mourning into joy, giving reason to praise God continually. He is a buckler to all who trust in Him, a sure friend who gives safety and protection from the sad effects of sin in this world and its dreadful consequences in hell hereafter.