First, I cry aloud to the Lord (1-5). When I am in the midst of a time of stress and under great pressure, and no one can help, I cry out to the Lord. He knows the way. He knows the snares that make a way unsafe, and he faithfully guides me. When I am alone and no one seems to care about my life, the Lord cares. He is my refuge. No one can satisfy the deepest needs of my heart, but the Lord is my portion. He satisfies my soul. Second, set me free from my prison (6,7). There are many kinds of prisons. The prisons of bad habits, of sinful lifestyles and of fatalistic situations seem to have a grip on us that is too strong. But the Lord sets us free from prison when we cry out to him for mercy and put our troubles before him. He sets us free so that we may serve him in holiness and righteousness all our days.
Application: Lord, set me free from my prison of sin and self. Set me free from my enemies' snares and my bad habits. Be my everlasting portion and the King of my life forever. Set me free so that I may praise and serve you.
One Word: The Lord is my everlasting portion