This psalm is titled: “To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David”. As with many of David’s psalms, it concerns a crisis that made him cry out to God. It is, however, impossible to connect this psalm to a specific event in David’s life with certainty.
“Hear my voice, O God, in my meditation”. This is an interesting turn of phrase. Either David meant that his meditation was vocal so that God could hear his voice, or that God would hear the silent expression of his heart as his voice. Either way, David as so often in his life, is calling on God for help.
David was subject to gossip and this hurt him inside as arrows and stones would hurt his body; they also injured his soul and spirit. These are the parts that live on when our bodies die. David told God of his troubles and what his enemies were doing and goes on to say what God will do which will bring praise and honour to His name.
Gossip is hurtful – we all know the saying “sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” This is merely bravado as, in my experience, words can leave deeper scars than physical injury. At times I have felt at a complete loss, unable to confide in others exactly how I feel and totally alone when others have hurt me by their words.
At my lowest I made a deal with God – I tell Him everything and He will sort it. Initially it felt like nothing changed, but I kept on pressing into God in prayer and waited. In His time, I found peace; a total deep peace. The hurt and scars began to heal and I was being rebuilt. It took time and patience (unfortunately, not one of my strengths!) but God delivered on His promise.
I have complete faith that whatever troubles me, God will fix it. He will heal and mend our lives if we have the faith to share our lament honestly with Him and wait for His response.
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Father God, thank you for saving me from my despair; for picking up my pieces and rebuilding me and for healing my scars. Let me never forget Your immense love for me. You are God, You can do anything and I praise You!