The vale of tears

David’s prayer
There is a hinge at the heart of this psalm. In verse 4 David prays that the Lord will ‘turn’ to him and deliver him and save him because of his ‘wonderful love’.

David is in agony. Note just how graphic and physical his language is: ‘My bones tremble with fear’ (v 2); ‘my groaning has worn me out’ and ‘At night my bed and pillow are soaked with tears’ (v 6). And yet by the end of the psalm he clearly feels that the Lord has indeed turned to him and accepted his prayer.

God’s response
It’s an amazing thought that we all too easily take for granted: our God turns towards those who call upon him. He is not implacable or immovable; he is not deaf: he responds to those who call upon him.

In grace and love he turns to those who cry out to him. He turns to us, so that our tears can turn to laughter. What will not change about God is the thing that matters most to us: his ‘wonderful love’. He will never leave us nor forsake us.

‘How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings. They feast in the abundance of your house; you give them drink from your river of delights’ (Psalm 36:7,8, NIV). Make these words of praise your own.

How do you feel when you are ill (v 2), scared (v 1) or under pressure from others (v 8)? The psalmist’s problems are not given in detail, but they seem to be a combination of physical, emotional and spiritual sufferings. His enemies could be literal enemies out to oppose him, or read as a poetic reference to spiritual forces or even inner thoughts. Whatever his problems, the psalmist knows that God alone can help.

The psalm is a beautiful example of supplication (Hebrew tahanun), a pouring out of one’s heart to God. It is said every day in the Jewish prayer book, as a general prayer for any circumstance of need. The psalm begins with invocation (vs 1,2), calling on God, followed by a series of imperatives describing the problems (vs 2,3) and the reasons why God should answer (vs 5,6,9,10). God not only hears and understands our cries (v 9), he also accepts our prayers (v 9) and answers them according to his faithfulness (v 4). All we need to do is to bring our needs and problems to him, being honest about how we feel and trusting that he knows and cares.

Prayer works. We do not know how, and, of course, it is for God to say yes, no, wait, or even ‘don’t ask!’, but what loving father does not want to bless his children? What caring mother does not want to provide for all her children’s needs? What teacher does not want to see their students excel? What doctor does not want to see their patient in full health? In Christ, and through the gift of the Holy Spirit, we have the assurance that our prayers will be heard by our loving heavenly Father, and will be answered in his perfect way and time.