Praising Scripture - Dec 13

Annual Bible Reading Plan:

JON.1-2
ACT.25

2024 31-Day Praising Day 13:

Praise God Zealously (Psalm 109:21-31)
(Memory Verses 29-31)

21 But You, O God the Lord, deal with me for Your name’s sake; because Your mercy is good, deliver me.
22 For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.
23 I am gone like a shadow when it lengthens; I am shaken off like a locust.
24 My knees are weak through fasting, and my flesh is feeble from lack of fatness.
25 I also have become a reproach to them; when they look at me, they shake their heads.
26 Help me, O Lord my God! Oh, save me according to Your mercy,
27 That they may know that this is Your hand— that You, Lord, have done it!
28 Let them curse, but You bless; when they arise, let them be ashamed, but let Your servant rejoice.
29 Let my accusers be clothed with shame, and let them cover themselves with their own disgrace as with a mantle.
30 I will greatly praise the Lord with my mouth; yes, I will praise Him among the multitude.
31 For He shall stand at the right hand of the poor, to save him from those who condemn him.

Reflection:
Psalm 109 records David's prayer to God in the face of his enemies. Although his enemies repaid his love with evil and cursed him in many ways, David resolutely chose to look to God—"In return for my love they are my accusers, but I give myself to prayer" (Psalm 109:4). Through such prayer, verses 21-31 show how David entrusted all his bitterness and hardships to God and turned toward joy and praise. Verse 30 especially expresses his attitude of praising God in all circumstances: "I will greatly praise the Lord with my mouth; yes, I will praise Him among the multitude."
Thank the Lord that not only in all circumstances should we choose to trust and praise Him, but all our praise should be offered zealously. When the Ark of the Covenant was brought to Jerusalem, David zealously "danced before the Lord with all his might" (2 Samuel 6:14), and the Israelites present also "played music before God with all their might" (1 Chronicles 13:8).
Indeed, we thank God for today’s passage and for the example of David and the people, which enlightens us to see that regardless of external circumstances, we should—and can—"devote ourselves to prayer" and "zealously praise" Him. For He is worthy of it, and it pleases Him.