1. To you I call, O Lord (1-5)

The psalmist cries out to God for mercy. He has suffered enough from smooth-talking people whose hearts are full of malice. He does not fight with them any more; he prays for himself and asks God to deal with such people. When he began to do this, he realized that the root problem of such people is that they do not recognize or respect the work of God. Godless people who do their own thing and despise God's work will be torn down, never to be rebuilt.

2. The Lord is my strength and shield (6-9)

Praise God who hears our prayers. He always hears a plea for mercy. When my heart trusts in him, I am helped. The Lord is the strength of his people and a fortress for his flock. He is our shepherd who saves his people and blesses his inheritance forever.

Application: Lord, in times of deep distress, teach my heart to trust in you. You are my shepherd forever.
One Word: A heart that trusts in the Lord