¹ Hear a just cause, O Lord; attend to my cry! Give ear to my prayer from lips free of deceit! ² From your presence let my vindication come! Let your eyes behold the right!
   ³ You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night, you have tested me, and you will find nothing; I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress. ⁴ With regard to the works of man, by the word of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent. ⁵ My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped.
   ⁶ I call upon you, for you will answer me, O God; incline your ear to me; hear my words. ⁷ Wondrously show your steadfast love, O Savior of those who seek refuge from their adversaries at your right hand.
   ⁸ Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings, ⁹ from the wicked who do me violence, my deadly enemies who surround me.
   ¹⁰ They close their hearts to pity; with their mouths they speak arrogantly. ¹¹ They have now surrounded our steps; they set their eyes to cast us to the ground. ¹² He is like a lion eager to tear, as a young lion lurking in ambush.
   ¹³ Arise, O Lord! Confront him, subdue him! Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword, ¹⁴ from men by your hand, O Lord, from men of the world whose portion is in this life. You fill their womb with treasure; they are satisfied with children, and they leave their abundance to their infants.
   ¹⁵ As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness.

 

REVERENCE

God’s Praiseworthy Attributes:

• He hears – v. 1
• He vindicates – v. 2
• He sees – v. 2
• He tries and tests us – v. 3
• His word strengthens and guides us – vv. 4 – 5
• He answers our prayers – v. 6
• He is a God of steadfast love – v. 7
• He is a refuge from our adversaries – v. 7
• He protects and hides us from the wicked– vv. 7-8
• He confronts our enemies – v. 13
• He delivers us – v. 13
• He draws us to seek His face – v. 15
• He is righteous – v. 15
• His presence satisfies – v. 15

Possible Prayer Prompts:

• Thank You, Father, that You heard my prayer when . . .
• Thank you that your word strengthened and guided me when . . .
• Thank you Lord for answering my prayers about . . .
• I praise You that Your love is steadfast even when I . . .
• I praise you that You have delivered me from . . .
• Thank you that Your presence satisfies my need for . . .

 

RESPONSE 

• Lord, as You try and test my heart, I know You find _______________ — and I surrender that to You.
• I confess that I often transgress with my mouth when ______________. I pray that Your Spirit would grant me self-control.
• I confess that my steps do not hold fast to Your path when ___________________. Give me grace and do not let me slip.

 

REQUESTS

• Lord, show Your steadfast love to me as I seek refuge from…
• Lord, assure me that I am the apple of Your eye in the midst of…
• Hide me in the shadow of Your wings as I deal with…
• Lord, I pray that You will show Your steadfast love to _____________ (name) as they seek refuge in You.
• I pray for ___________________ (name) as he/she trusts in Your strong right hand in the midst of….

 

READINESS

• Arise, O Lord, and confront the enemies of Your people as You…
• I trust You to deliver me from the wickedness of the world when I…
• Thank You that You are greater than the ambush of the enemy when he tempts me to…