Psalm 102 is “a prayer of the afflicted, when he is overwhelmed and pours out his complaint before the LORD.” The psalmist was undergoing a multifaceted affliction (physical, emotional, relational, spiritual), which drove him to prayer. At the same time, he was concerned about the national affliction of his people, Israel. We today need to learn to pray likewise for ourselves and for our churches.

Paul was aware of how quickly believers can lose their focus, and so he let the Ephesians know that he was praying that they would continue to be Christians; that is, that they would continue grow in their experiential, thorough, deep, full knowledge of God. As he did so, he reminded them that this continued growth must take place together.

King David knew the importance of ruling righteously. He was resolved to have a clean “administration”—honest from the top down. Christians no doubt desire to see the same in our day. And we can. If we do with this psalm what we should—turn it into a prayer—God may one day grant us such leadership in our land.

One commentator on Ephesians says of the prayer in vv. 15–23: “The only gifts desired for these converts were gifts of a spiritual order, meaning a better acquaintance with God Himself.” What more could you and I possibly need? Knowing God is what life—in fact, eternal life—is all about (John 17:3). It may take some difficulties to help us learn this lesson, but whatever it takes to grow in our knowledge of God is worth it.

The hundredth psalm is a fitting doxology to the previous seven royal psalms. The recipients of the blessings from the sovereign King are encouraged to employ their affections, minds and bodies in giving thanks to their faithful Lord.

It was no mistake that Jesus was crucified between two criminals, but we do well to remember that there were not only two criminals on Golgotha that day.