The Heart That Cries Out - The God That Answers

The occasion of the Psalm: David flees from his son Absalom (2 Samuel 15:13ff)

The Problem of Sin and Its Many Pitfalls (1-2)
"the many"
Aggressive - "set themselves all around"
Acrimonious - "rising against me"
Accusatory - "Saying: there is no salvation for him in God"

The Prayer of the Soul and the Object of Faith (3-4)
"I cried aloud to the LORD"
the LORD - a shield about me, the lifter of my head, the One who answers from His 'holy hill'

The Peace of the Sufferer and the Ever-Changing Storms of Life (5-6)
"I lay down and slept...I woke again..."
"I will NOT be afraid..."
Our plans often interrupt our prayers; our strategies often shanghai our sleep.

The Promise of the Savior and the Power with Which He Reigns (7)
"Strike all my enemies on the cheek" (bring humiliation)
"break the teeth of the wicked" (render their 'power' impotent)

The Pattern of the Saints and the Faithful One Who Blesses (8)
"Salvation belongs to the LORD"