1. 'Do not be far from me' (1-21)

The psalmist cries out as an innocent sufferer: 'My God, why are you so far from saving me?'. He is in anguish, surrounded by wicked people, who were like lions, bulls and dogs attacking him. Amidst these vicious attacks, he found hope in God, his Deliverer (see 3-5, 9-10). He cried out twice: 'Do not be far from me, help…deliver…rescue… save me!' (11,19) The gospels quote this psalm often to describe the suffering of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, as the ultimate innocent sufferer (1,8,18). The whole Bible points to Jesus' salvation for us.

2. Praise, honor and revere the LORD (22-31)

The psalmist looked ahead to God's deliverance and vindication. He would declare God's praise first to Israel, then to the whole world. The last words, 'He has done it!' is a cry of victory, 'See what God has done!'


Application: O Lord my God, when I am in anguish, help me to trust and cry out to you. Thank you for Jesus, our Deliverer.
One Word: The Lord is near those who cry out to him; they will declare his praise