#707 The Prayers That Preach

The Lord is my light and my salvation;

whom shall I fear?

The Lord is the stronghold of my life;

of whom shall I be afraid?

2 When evildoers assail me

to eat up my flesh,

my adversaries and foes,

it is they who stumble and fall.

3 Though an army encamp against me,

my heart shall not fear;

though war arise against me,

yet I will be confident.

4 One thing have I asked of the Lord,

that will I seek after:

that I may dwell in the house of the Lord

all the days of my life,

to gaze upon the beauty of the Lord

and to inquire in his temple.

5 For he will hide me in his shelter

in the day of trouble;

he will conceal me under the cover of his tent;

he will lift me high upon a rock.

6 And now my head shall be lifted up

above my enemies all around me,

and I will offer in his tent

sacrifices with shouts of joy;

I will sing and make melody to the Lord.

7 Hear, O Lord, when I cry aloud;

be gracious to me and answer me!

8 You have said, “Seek my face.”

My heart says to you,

“Your face, Lord, do I seek.”

9 Hide not your face from me.

Turn not your servant away in anger,

O you who have been my help.

Cast me not off; forsake me not,

O God of my salvation!

10 For my father and my mother have forsaken me,

but the Lord will take me in.

11 Teach me your way, O Lord,

and lead me on a level path

because of my enemies.

12 Give me not up to the will of my adversaries;

for false witnesses have risen against me,

and they breathe out violence.

13 I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the Lord

in the land of the living!

14 Wait for the Lord;

be strong, and let your heart take courage;

wait for the Lord!  Psalm 27 ESV

 The Lord is my light - Mathew Henry wrote: David’s subjects called him the light of Israel, 2 Sa. 21:17 . And he was indeed a burning and a shining light: but he owns that he shone, as the moon does, with a borrowed light; what light God darted upon him reflected upon them: The Lord is my light. God is a light to his people, to show them the way when they are in doubt, to comfort and rejoice their hearts when they are in sorrow. It is in his light that they now walk on in their way, and in his light they hope to see light for ever. "He is my salvation, in whom I am safe and by whom I shall be saved.’’ - Matthew Henry

They who stumble and fall - Though they come many, though they come hardened and even thinking themselves in the right, yet it is they who stumble. David need not lift a hand at times for often the Lord allows our enemies to fall on their own swords. When you hear the wind rustling through the tree tops know that the Lord has gone out before you. Know that nothing can happen outside the knowledge and sovereignty of God, so only be about your Father's business, and there is nothing left to fear. They may still come at you, stumbling in the dark, like the men of Sodom, but hold fast the door against them, tell them Who you belong to.  

“Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered. Jesus said, “I am He.” And Judas, His betrayer, was standing there with them. 6 When Jesus said, “I am He,” they drew back and fell to the ground. 7 So He asked them again, “Whom are you seeking?” “Jesus of Nazareth,” they answered.…John 18: 5-7

One thing - If you could have anything, what one thing would you ask? David has a kingdom, riches, friends, and a life of adventure and renown, but He would ask instead for the presence of the Lord. The prodigal son wished to be a servant of his father, not to have more money to repeat or continue in the world, but to be a servant in his father's house. I see pastors begging for people to exercise faith so that they "receive a blessing", when he is really asking that they bless him financially, and here is no faith, only greed. They have the job, the calling, the wonderful duty of waiting upon the Lord, studying His word, seeking His face and so blessing others by reflecting His glory, but they do not know that to be the thing to covet, to want. The king would love to be in God's presence, in His courts, to perform the duties of the temple, offer up His praises, but many a pastor would rather be the king. 

I will sing - In the midst of my enemies, I know Who my deliverer is. I know the truth regardless of what they say about me. I am a citizen.

On receiving this order, he placed them in the inner cell and fastened their feet in the stocks. 25 About midnight, Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. 26 Suddenly a strong earthquake shook the foundations of the prison. At once all the doors flew open, and everyone’s chains came loose.…Acts 16: 24-26

Have forsaken me - Friends, family, feelings and the things we held to be dear in this world will at some point let us down. The Psalmist, like an orphan, can handle all those disappointments as long as he is adopted by God. Lord, though I fail and often deserve Your correction, please keep as Your child nonetheless, do not let our separation be permanent. God guide me back, for You have said, "seek my face", and here I am, crying in the dark, Lord find me, show me. Let me lose the whole of this world, but Lord please take me in.

Teach me - My enemies are ready to point out my every weakness, but for Your great name teach me. Help me to walk on the right path, so if they say things against me, let them only be true of my past, or let the lies come back upon them. Don't allow my feet to slip so that they brag against You on account of me. Let me have Your word and with it the understanding and also the life. Since You are holy then let me answer the call to holiness. 

Let your heart take courage - In a little while, a very short time, we will be with the Father. 

After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. 18 Therefore encourage one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4: 17-18

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#706 Company

Vindicate me, O Lord,

for I have walked in my integrity,

and I have trusted in the Lord without wavering.

2 Prove me, O Lord, and try me;

test my heart and my mind.

3 For your steadfast love is before my eyes,

and I walk in your faithfulness.

4 I do not sit with men of falsehood,

nor do I consort with hypocrites.

5 I hate the assembly of evildoers,

and I will not sit with the wicked.

6 I wash my hands in innocence

and go around your altar, O Lord,

7 proclaiming thanksgiving aloud,

and telling all your wondrous deeds.

8 O Lord, I love the habitation of your house

and the place where your glory dwells.

9 Do not sweep my soul away with sinners,

nor my life with bloodthirsty men,

10 in whose hands are evil devices,

and whose right hands are full of bribes.

11 But as for me, I shall walk in my integrity;

redeem me, and be gracious to me.

12 My foot stands on level ground;

in the great assembly I will bless the Lord. Psalm 26 ESV

Vindicate me oh Lord - In this world, men of integrity are not men without temptation. They are not sinless men, but rather repentant and seeking to be separated from sin both in it's identity and practice. Regardless of the circumstances, David has put his faith in the Lord and he ask the Lord to prove this and try him. See if there is wickedness in me and remove it, see if I have trusted in other than You and lead me to Yourself. 

Sit with men of falsehood - One of the hardest trials in David's life was self inflicted, but in trying to cover up his sin against Uriah he entered into a very dark place with a man of low conscience. David came to hate the way Joab operated but chose to do little if nothing about it. These verses remind me of his discussion with his son Solomon on the matter. To sit is to linger, to sit is to show too much respect for and to be seen as accepting. David wants to break free from those who despise God's ways. 

Breaking free of Joab 

I wash my hands - It is good to not be guilty of a thing and it is better still to use our influence to prevent it at all. Regardless of our technical innocence, let us be quick to praise God lest we fall to the other and most original of sins, pride. It is Your wondrous deeds that have brought me here, that have caused in me the desire to seek You and separate myself from wickedness.

Bloodthirsty men - I think this describes Joab well, but David was a man of war himself, and so he probably knew many like this. Those that do not value all life have disregarded their own unknowingly. We do not have to stay where we started, but the opening of the eye by the spirit brings also the grace to love our brother as well. How precious are all these lives, they do not belong to me, so I must respect them as the Creator's. David wanted to be found with God in death, not with sinners. Christ has made this possible by taking on the form of sinful man and hanging between thieves and sinners on the cross. 

Redeem - I see the way of the wicked now, and I would like to take another path though they scorn me and remind me of my past. Be gracious to me, oh God, it is You that has brought me to level ground, that keeps me from slipping back. 

Therefore we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ: Be reconciled to God. 21 God made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. 2 Corinthians 5: 20-21

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#705 Spilled Out

To you, O Lord, I lift up my soul.

2 O my God, in you I trust;

let me not be put to shame;

let not my enemies exult over me.

3 Indeed, none who wait for you shall be put to shame;

they shall be ashamed who are wantonly treacherous.

4 Make me to know your ways, O Lord;

teach me your paths.

5 Lead me in your truth and teach me,

for you are the God of my salvation;

for you I wait all the day long.

6 Remember your mercy, O Lord, and your steadfast love,

for they have been from of old.

7 Remember not the sins of my youth or my transgressions;

according to your steadfast love remember me,

for the sake of your goodness, O Lord!

8 Good and upright is the Lord;

therefore he instructs sinners in the way.

9 He leads the humble in what is right,

and teaches the humble his way.

10 All the paths of the Lord are steadfast love and faithfulness,

for those who keep his covenant and his testimonies.

11 For your name's sake, O Lord,

pardon my guilt, for it is great.

12 Who is the man who fears the Lord?

Him will he instruct in the way that he should choose.

13 His soul shall abide in well-being,

and his offspring shall inherit the land.

14 The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him,

and he makes known to them his covenant.

15 My eyes are ever toward the Lord,

for he will pluck my feet out of the net.

16 Turn to me and be gracious to me,

for I am lonely and afflicted.

17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged;

bring me out of my distresses.

18 Consider my affliction and my trouble,

and forgive all my sins.

19 Consider how many are my foes,

and with what violent hatred they hate me.

20 Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!

Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.

21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me,

for I wait for you.

22 Redeem Israel, O God,

out of all his troubles. Psalm 25 ESV

These Psalms are also great prayers, the incense, the offering of which here is the petitioner's very soul. There is no safer place for it, no better place to identify with than the will of God, which is a most sovereign thing and independent of our wants or fears. They are still there for the poet, but look he is asking for help with this all the same, "let me not be put to shame." If I profess You, don't let my enemies stand gloating over me. He reassures himself that this is not the case for those who seek God, who resign to follow in His works, but rather shame shall find those who are deliberately reckless in their sin. Lord, I believe, please help me with my unbelief.

perseverance, character; and character, hope. 5 And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, whom He has given us. 6 For at just the right time, while we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.…Romans 5: 4-6

Make me to know Your ways - In order to avoid the damages and embarrassment of sin we need to know what sin is, not just the symptom but also the root. Your ways are holy God, and I need  to understand them less I fall into offense. What seems right or just to me in my fallen nature, may be quite the opposite. 

God of my salvation - I want to know about You, what pleases You, what glorifies You, because You saved me. I happily wait upon you, not just sitting here, but as a servant waits upon his master so I wait upon you, what would You like me to bring You? What can I do that would bring honor to You?

Sins of my youth - The writer is not delusional when he speaks of things like integrity in other places. He is not saying that he is without sin, but rather asking that his sins be blotted out. He is confessing his failure and asking for grace based upon God's goodness.

For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. 20 The Law was given so that the trespass would increase; but where sin increased,grace increased all the more, 21 so that, just as sin reigned in death, so also grace might reign through righteousness, to bring eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.…Romans 5: 19-21

He leads the humble - It is the sick that need a physician, and also instruction towards being well. When a man recognizes pain, sickness or death's shadow, he may not know how to heal himself of such a plague, but he is infinitely better off than the man that refuses to acknowledge his condition. He leads and teaches what is right and the way, and though it is all of Him and from Him, yet He rewards those on the path that He has brought them to with His steadfast love and faithfulness. 

For Your name's sake - I ask You to forgive my sin, Oh God, not because I deserve it or because of who I am, but because of Your greatness, Your mercy, because of Who You are. Pardon my guilt for it is great, and this is a mercy that we have guilt, that we are shown our wickedness, that we are not left to think so highly and inappropriately of ourselves. It is a mercy that we are not just left here to know that we are sinners, but that there is a place to take such pain, a place to trade our every sin for hope, to find forgiveness.

Who fear Him - The terror of the Lord will be for the ungodly, those that trust in themselves. This fear is the fear of those wanting to be upright, who are humbled by their sin. It is an honest knowledge that whatever men may do or give, it is as they are, perishing. God is not dying, and the fear of Him is the deep respect that one knows when they are in the presence of the Creator, the righteous judge. It is also the fear of the child in disappointing.  

May integrity and uprightness preserve me - Regardless of what the situation looked like, David's hope would not change, it would rest in God. He will wait for God, and a man of integrity will always ask what is God's will and what does His word say, that is what I want to do and where I want to walk. There is no situational ethics with the Lord, He remains the same and clear. Let me have this integrity also God, that I wait upon You, that I don't even speak unless it be blameless before You. 

But in this way God has fulfilled what He foretold through all the prophets, saying that His Christ would suffer. 19 Repent, then,and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away, 20 that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus, the Christ, who has been appointed for you.…Acts 3: 18-20

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#704 Fullness

The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof,
the world and those who dwell therein,
2 for he has founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the rivers.


3 Who shall ascend the hill of the Lord?
And who shall stand in his holy place?
4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to what is false
and does not swear deceitfully.
5 He will receive blessing from the Lord
and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek the face of the God of Jacob. Selah


7 Lift up your heads, O gates!
And be lifted up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
8 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord, strong and mighty,
the Lord, mighty in battle!
9 Lift up your heads, O gates!
And lift them up, O ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
10 Who is this King of glory?
The Lord of hosts,
he is the King of glory! Selah Psalm 24 ESV

And the fullness thereof - It's my life I use to say, it's my body I hear people say today, as if this is a clear cut case against any other claim of authority. But tell me then, when did you create your life, how did you make your body? How is it then that in procreation you also claim that the body of someone inside of you is also you or yours to decide? Every atom of my being and all that I can see or walk upon is founded by the words of God speaking it into existence. The things that I can study are observable because they follow patterns, logic, reason and order. It is time to stop honoring myself and pay glory to the God Who created the earth, there is nothing that doesn't ultimately belong to Him. Lord God, do not give me away, let me be found in Your Son and reflecting Your Son.

"The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof." The whole round world is claimed for Jehovah, "and they that dwell therein" are declared to be his subjects. When we consider the bigotry of the Jewish people at the time of Christ, and how angry they were with our Lord for saying that many widows were in Israel, but unto none of them was the prophet sent, save only to the widow of Sarepta, and that there were many lepers in Israel, but none of them was healed except Naaman the Syrian,--when we recollect, too, how angry they were at the mention of Paul's being sent to the Gentiles, we are amazed that they should have remained in such blindness, and yet have sung this psalm, which shows so clearly that God is not the God of the Jews only, but of the Gentiles also. What a rebuke is this to those wiseacres who speak of the negro and other despised races as though they were not cared for by the God of heaven! If a man be but a man the Lord claims him, and who dares to brand him as a mere piece of merchandise! The meanest of men is a dweller in the world, and therefore belongs to Jehovah. Jesus Christ had made an end of the exclusiveness of nationalities. There is neither barbarian, Scythian, bond not free; but we all are one in Christ Jesus. - C. H. Spurgeon

Who Shall ascend - If all have sinned, if the Bible is God's word, if He is holy and ever against sin, then who can stand before Him and by what means? The Psalmist supplies an answer in verse 4, he who has clean hands and a pure heart. Oh, well that does not look any more hopeful for me. My heart is wicked and deceitful, David's hands are covered in blood, and we are all fallen regardless of how we like to see ourselves. Lifting up our souls, consoling ourselves by vain means, telling ourselves that there is another way, that our earthly pursuits are more valuable, riches are more sure, leaves us to swear by nothing that God recognizes. Who then? Who then is worthy?

Indeed, it is easier for a camel to pass through an eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” 26 Those who heard this asked, “Who then can be saved?” 27 But Jesus said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”…Luke 18: 25-27

Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the One seated on the throne. It had writing on both sides and was sealed with seven seals. 2 And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice,“Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” 3 But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or look inside it.…Revelation 5: 1-3

Who seek the face of the God of Jacob - Ask the questions, seek Him while He may be found. There is a way that God has provided, and all this points forward to One, Who is eternally worthy. Not the god of your imagination, not your works which are as filthy rags, but the God of Jacob, Who is defined by His own words, the inspired scriptures. Seek Him through His Son, look at Psalm 22, He made the way. He made it possible to stand before God, to know of God, and to be at peace with God. 

Who is the king of Glory - None other than the Lord strong and mighty. Lift up the gates, He has returned. He has waged war and won, He has crushed the head of the serpent and set the captives free. Come seek Him Who was born with a clean heart, Who was able to satisfy the justice of God.

For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those He predestined He also called; those He called He also justified; those He justifiedHe also glorified. 31What then shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?…Romans 8: 29-31

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#703 The Good Shepherd

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name's sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Psalm 23 KJV

“It has charmed more griefs to rest than all the philosophy of the world. It has remanded to their dungeon more felon thoughts, more black doubts, more thieving sorrows, than there are sands on the sea–shore. It has comforted the noble host of the poor. It has sung courage to the army of the disappointed. It has poured balm and consolation into the heart of the sick, of captives in dungeons, of widows in their pinching griefs, of orphans in their loneliness. Dying soldiers have died easier as it was read to them; ghastly hospitals have been illuminated; it has visited the prisoner, and broken his chains, and, like Peter’s angel, led him forth in imagination, and sung him back to his home again. It has made the dying Christian slave freer than his master, and consoled those whom, dying, he left behind mourning, not so much that he was gone, as because they were left behind, and could not go too.” (Beecher, cited in Spurgeon)

One of the first passages I memorized as a child, and surely there is great comfort to be found herein, not just in the repeating but also the believing. 

The Lord is my Shepherd - David draws upon an image that he is quite familiar with. He was the youngest of His father's sons and so he was the tender of the flock. For some in the old world this was one of the lesser jobs to be associated with, but here David heaps so much honor upon it as to call the Lord his own Shepherd. King David has called God his King, and the earthly king is not ashamed of his own pastoral heritage, but the shepherd king here numbers himself as among God's sheep. Our Lord Jesus was not embarrassed by this analogy either, and in calculating and careful manner, it was the shepherds standing watch by night that first heard the news of Christ's birth. 

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it in all its fullness. 11 I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep. 12 The hired hand is not the shepherd, and the sheep are not his own. When he sees the wolf coming, he abandons the sheep and runs away. Then the wolf pounces on them and scatters the flock.…John 10:10-12

I shall not want - Because the Lord is my Shepherd. I read somewhere that the shepherd was everything to the sheep. They follow him to find food, he is their protector, physician and compass. Knowing that he is there is knowing that all I need is also with him. 

Lie down in green pastures - The shepherd knows not only where to find food but also rest. That he makes the sheep lie down seems to infer that they do not always know what is best by themselves. There is sustenance in the green pastures, it is a comfortable place, and as one writer mentions of sheep, they will not willingly lie down if certain conditions aren't met. If they are afraid then they stand ready to move, if they have the worm or the ground is too wet, then they will not lie down. If their stomachs are empty or the flies are thick then they will want better pastures, but the shepherd knows all these things.

Beside still waters - Be still and know that I am God. It is in the quiet still pools that we can reflect. When the water is undisturbed it is like a mirror, and the truth is the sweetest of all beverages to those who are truly thirsty. Here, in the quiet, the voice of the shepherd is always more clear, His words are ever a song upon the wind and a comfort in the ear. 

Restoreth my soul - What is gained by food and rest? The soul is strengthened, the heart has seen that what the shepherd says and where he leads is good. Wherever He leads I will go. If a thing needs to be restored then it was either spent or a thing needed that had been missing all together. Sheep do not go about interviewing shepherds, it is the shepherd who makes them his sheep, who leaves the 90 and 9 to find the one that is lost and restores him to the safety of the fold. 

I am the good shepherd. I know My sheep and My sheep know Me, 15 just as the Father knows Me and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep. 16 I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them in as well, and they will listen to My voice. Then there will be one flock and one shepherd.…John 10: 14-16

For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but to do the will of Him who sent Me. 39 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that I shall lose none of those He has given Me, but raise them up at the last day. 40 For it is My Father’s will that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.”…John 6: 38-40

His name's sake - For the sake of His own good name, that what He says He will accomplish by His own power. As Clarke so well puts it:

i. For His name’s sake: “To display the glory of his grace, and not on account of any merit in me. God’s motives of conduct towards the children of men are derived from the perfections and goodness of his own nature.” (Clarke)

Valley of the shadow of death - Death was once a thing to be feared, and sometimes the thought of it still frightens us, but our great Shepherd has conquered the grave, so all that is left is but a shadow, a bark without a dog. It is no longer a place of fear for the Shepherd leads us, and while all the rest of the world may groan or panic, the apostle says, "for me to live is Christ and to die is gain." 

Thy rod and Thy staff - Moses was the prophet who lead Israel out of Egypt, who also declared unto them them the word of Lord. Aaron was the priest who ministered unto the Lord, the hook that brought the sheep back to what the Lord had said. Both of them were mere shadows of the Prophet/Priest/King to come. Moses failed when he took his staff and struck the rock in anger, this was not the direction of the Lord. Aaron failed to establish the rod, rather than guiding the people back from destruction he led them to commit idolatry after they had agreed to what the Lord had said, "thou shalt not make unto thee any graven images." It is the same for shepherds today, the preachers and elders in our churches, they should not go where God has not brought them, and they should lead according to the word of God. If they would like to be prophets then they must profess the word of God, neither adding to or taking away from the completed work of the Bible. There is a path that has been laid and I remember my wife's dog Eli, he was an Australian shepherd. When we would walk with him on the beach, I would wait till he wandered ahead and then I would stray off to the side. When he saw this he would come guide me back, but if I ran he would nip my heels. Thy rod and Thy staff do comfort me, if I look up it is there to protect me, to see the way to go, and if I stray then then You will draw me back.  

The presence of mine enemies - Even in a world that hates You, with enemies present all around, yet You still manage to provide for me, to sup with me. If you live in the world and have no enemies, then it is questionable that you have ever stood for anything. If Christ had enemies, and you are in Christ, then in the world you will have tribulation, but be not discouraged for He has overcome the world. David knew well the demands of a shepherd, he had killed both the lion and the bear, but there were also thieves who would rather steal what someone else had cared for then get it legitimately on their own. Remember to keep your eyes on the shepherd, for the time of the thief is passing quickly. 

Thou anointest my head with oil - You have declared me as Your own, Your spirit has been placed in me. Not only is my cup full but it is overflowing, so I must take this message, the joy of my salvation and tell the world the riches of what You have done.  

Goodness and mercy - Regardless of the toils of this life, as I look back, I have been waited upon by these two great angels. Even on the darkest days they have brought light and oh it was not in me but rather Your mercy that guided me, that showed me the way, that took my vile nature upon Yourself. You put Yourself in harms way, when I was lost You found me, You broke my legs and carried me. I became Your burden, and then I learned to walk under the shadow of Your wings. You did not leave me in my filth, but cleansed and sanctified me unto Yourself, so that I might dwell in the house of the Lord forever. 

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#702 A Very Bright Candle Part 3

My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?

Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?

2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer,

and by night, but I find no rest.

3 Yet you are holy,

enthroned on the praises of Israel.

4 In you our fathers trusted;

they trusted, and you delivered them.

5 To you they cried and were rescued;

in you they trusted and were not put to shame.

6 But I am a worm and not a man,

scorned by mankind and despised by the people.

7 All who see me mock me;

they make mouths at me; they wag their heads;

8 “He trusts in the Lord; let him deliver him;

let him rescue him, for he delights in him!”

9 Yet you are he who took me from the womb;

you made me trust you at my mother's breasts.

10 On you was I cast from my birth,

and from my mother's womb you have been my God.

11 Be not far from me,

for trouble is near,

and there is none to help.

12 Many bulls encompass me;

strong bulls of Bashan surround me;

13 they open wide their mouths at me,

like a ravening and roaring lion.

14 I am poured out like water,

and all my bones are out of joint;

my heart is like wax;

it is melted within my breast;

15 my strength is dried up like a potsherd,

and my tongue sticks to my jaws;

you lay me in the dust of death.

16 For dogs encompass me;

a company of evildoers encircles me;

they have pierced my hands and feet—

17 I can count all my bones—

they stare and gloat over me;

18 they divide my garments among them,

and for my clothing they cast lots.

19 But you, O Lord, do not be far off!

O you my help, come quickly to my aid!

20 Deliver my soul from the sword,

my precious life from the power of the dog!

21 Save me from the mouth of the lion!

You have rescued me from the horns of the wild oxen!

22 I will tell of your name to my brothers;

in the midst of the congregation I will praise you:

23 You who fear the Lord, praise him!

All you offspring of Jacob, glorify him,

and stand in awe of him, all you offspring of Israel!

24 For he has not despised or abhorred

the affliction of the afflicted,

and he has not hidden his face from him,

but has heard, when he cried to him.

25 From you comes my praise in the great congregation;

my vows I will perform before those who fear him.

26 The afflicted shall eat and be satisfied;

those who seek him shall praise the Lord!

May your hearts live forever!

27 All the ends of the earth shall remember

and turn to the Lord,

and all the families of the nations

shall worship before you.

28 For kingship belongs to the Lord,

and he rules over the nations.

29 All the prosperous of the earth eat and worship;

before him shall bow all who go down to the dust,

even the one who could not keep himself alive.

30 Posterity shall serve him;

it shall be told of the Lord to the coming generation;

31 they shall come and proclaim his righteousness to a people yet unborn,

that he has done it. Psalm 22 ESV

Far from me - If only I know You are there then I can make it through this; I may count this present suffering as not. Remember this dear child, "be near me Lord Jesus, I ask Thee to stay, close by me forever and love me I pray, bless all the dear children in Thy tender care and take us to heaven to live with Thee there." This to shall pass, only be with me through it, that is all. 

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28: 19-20

“Look, an hour is coming and has already come when you will be scattered, each to his own home, and you will leave Me all alone. Yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. 33 I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!” John 16: 32-33

From the horns of the wild oxen - Both the life of David and the life of Christs saw many enemies rise up against God's anointed. David was pursued by Saul who did not want to give up his crown, and the present rulers of the darkness of this age would not like to see Christ succeed. They tried to stone him in their time, but it was not God's time, it was not the Passover yet, for He was that substitution, the Passover lamb. Surely this should give all those who love the Lord a second wind, that He has delivered us before, he has shown us the end of a life dedicated to sin and what would be required to atone for it. I have lived this long against my own incompetence, my own destructive nature. What has been spoken ill of me, God has turned to my good. You have brought me all this way.

I will declare Thy name unto My brethren - The tide has changed, the tape across the line is in view, triumph is assured, and already His mind has gone back to those He has been promised. He wants to tell of the riches of God, to declare His name to those He has called friends, and even more dearly, brethren. This is the testimony.

And we know that God works all things together for the good of those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose. 29 For those God foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.…Romans 8: 28-30

That fear the Lord - The fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, but as a person grows in Christ, the fear of God's wrath becomes more and more replaced with the fear of His disappointment. The thing our Lord seemed to fear most is the loss of His Father's presence. There is no part in this that I have read, which finds men contributing anything but their sin to this most gracious gospel, so all that men have left to do is praise Him. If you have come to look upon the ocean that is your transgressions, the sea you cannot see across, but are now aware of that narrow bridge, then run forth upon it, singing the praises of the One Who built it. 

A massive crowd spread their cloaks on the road, while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road. 9 Thecrowds that went ahead of Him and those that followed were shouting: “Hosanna to the Son of David!” “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!” “Hosanna in the highest!”10 When Jesus had entered Jerusalem, the whole city was stirred and asked, “Who is this?”…Matthew 21: 8-10

All the ends of the earth shall remember - Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 

I will surely bless you, and I will multiply your descendants like the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore. Your descendants will possess the gates of their enemies. 18 And through your offspring all nations of the earth will be blessed,because you have obeyed My voice.” 19 Abraham went back to his servants, and they got up and set out together for Beersheba. And Abraham settled in Beersheba.…Genesis 22: 17-19

It was always a unilateral covenant, always in view of Christ work, not our own, even in the times of Abraham. Those that bring the good news, that point and direct people of every nation and creed away from themselves and to the cross, they are the ones who truly fear and love the Lord. 

That He has done it - Oh hallelujah! It is finished.

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