Teach Us to Pray, Part 1

This Psalm is the only Psalm attributed to David in Book III. It describes David's being pursued by an enemy either Saul or Absalom, probably the latter. David pleads God's mercy due to the fact that he was responsible for Absalom's rebellion due to his failures.

The Psalm refers to God some 16 times in 17 verses. The ready ought to carefully note the three forms of identification given to the Lord: Yahweh, His covenant name; Elohim, His position as God; and Adonai, His title as Sovereign Lord.

David actually addresses the Lord using arguments for why God should hear him, giving several reasons. Part of the Psalm appeals to who God is and part of the Psalm appeals to David's relationship to his God. Only the last four verses address David's request for protection.