THE THIRD SET of seven beads in the psalm says, "keep me as the apple of your eye." Do you have trouble believing you are the apple of the Father's eye? If so, begin journaling phrases and verses in the following meditations that confirm this is true. Remember that Christ died for you and allow yourself to enjoy the truth that God has deemed you worthy of that sacrifice. Indeed, only for the "apple of God's eye" would Christ die.

If the Psalmist teaches us anything, it is that we will have trouble. Jesus confirms this reality in John 16:33. In the midst of the trouble, the writers of the Psalms show us how to cry out to God in our grief and our sorrow, and God answers. David Muyskens writes, "Prayer did not deliver me from grief but grief became my prayer." This pathway of consolation is what the Psalmist expresses, as well as the hope of glory in God's presence.