Psalm 5:6-8 David often writes about the many foes that he faced as is the case with this psalm. Yet, he knew no matter the immensity of his adversaries, he could find safety and solace in God’s presence. He also understood that entrance therein was available only because of God’s abundant lovingkindness. To bow down in reverence signifies an attitude of humility and awe before the Almighty. By asking Yahweh to make His way straight, David is seeking a clear and direct path so he can follow God’s will and stay on the right path even in the face of opposition. This is a great example to follow!

Psalm 17: 7-9 As our eyes are guarded by the autonomic reflexes and as the mother bird protects her chicks under her wing, God watches over and protects His people. David’s faith and assurance in His God were strong because he was living the right way. He did not doubt God’s steadfast love and concern for him. The way he spoke to God is inspirational and a good example of how to pray.

With the many godly inspired psalms that David wrote, we see a man with a wide range of thoughts, feelings, faith, and doubts. He had a life full of many diverse experiences at different stages in life that cultivated a variety of responses. His ability to honestly articulate his thoughts to God is masterfully communicated in his many psalms. Through it all, he always ends up worshipping the God he loves, even if he is sick, depressed, lost, or overwhelmed. In David, we have a great example to follow as we go through life’s battles.

Psalm 25:14; 27:4-5; 31:19-21

Psalm 6:4 David, suffering physically, near death, at wits end, turns to Yahweh and cries out for help. Asking God to return implies a sense of distance from Him, so he prays “Yahweh rescue my soul; save me”. David believed God would help because of His steadfast love. Spiritually minded people understand God’s intervention is not because it is earned or deserved; rather, it is because of His lovingkindness, His steadfast, unchanging love.

All of us experience times of suffering and have feelings of separation from God. David did what we should do – pray and focus on God’s lovingkindness and not our problem or feelings. David ends the psalm confident that God heard his prayer: verse 9 states, Yahweh has heard my supplication, Yahweh receives my prayer.

Psalm 26:1-3 The human history revealed in the Bible and the many warnings to be aware of deception provide ample reason for us to follow David’s lead to invite Yahweh to examine, try, and test the mind and heart. We certainly need His and our Lord Jesus’ help to see things that may be hidden to us. At the time of David’s request, he was in pretty good standing with God and confident that he was walking the walk. Other psalms indicate that he also prayed this way when things were not so good, and he doubted his relationship with God. Good or bad, every day we can benefit from such a request. God does not forcefully intervene into our lives violating our free will. We are responsible to ask for help with faith.

Psalm 31:7-10 In the midst of grave turmoil, David determined to rejoice and be glad in Yahweh’s lovingkindness. He did not stick his head in the sand and act like there were no problems; rather, he expressed his plight and feelings seeking for God’s help. This is a great psalm to focus on when we are suffering.

Psalm 33:4-5 If our eyes are open and seeking, we can see that the earth is full of His lovingkindness. If our eyes are focused on the evil that is in the world, we will be filled with darkness that simulates unhealthy emotions and a distressful life.

Psalm 36:5-10 David’s inspired picturesque words give us some appreciation of Yahweh’s vast and distinctive holy qualities. With His limitless lovingkindness, faithfulness, righteousness, and judgments, He preserves man and beast. How blessed are God’s children for we get to drink from the river of His delights and His fountain of life. In Yahweh’s light, we see light.

1) The psalmists’ understanding about Yahweh’s lovingkindness was based upon____________________

2) What inspires God’s lovingkindness __________________

3) If our eyes are open and seeking, we can see that the _______________ is full of His lovingkindness. (a. heaven, b. church, c. earth, d. Torah)