Psalm 28
I pray to you, O Lord, my rock.
Do not turn a deaf ear to me.
For if you are silent,
I might as well give up and die.
Listen to my prayer for mercy
as I cry out to you for help,
as I lift my hands toward your holy sanctuary.
Do not drag me away with the wicked—
with those who do evil—
those who speak friendly words to their neighbors
while planning evil in their hearts.
Give them the punishment they so richly deserve!
Measure it out in proportion to their wickedness.
Pay them back for all their evil deeds!
Give them a taste of what they have done to others.
They care nothing for what the Lord has done
or for what his hands have made.
So he will tear them down,
and they will never be rebuilt!
Praise the Lord!
For he has heard my cry for mercy.
The Lord is my strength and shield.
I trust him with all my heart.
He helps me, and my heart is filled with joy.
I burst out in songs of thanksgiving.
The Lord gives his people strength.
He is a safe fortress for his anointed king.
Save your people!
Bless Israel, your special possession.
Lead them like a shepherd,
and carry them in your arms forever.
If I couldn’t cry out for the Lord’s mercy and help, I’d be utterly hopeless. But I can! I can cry out day and night, if I need to. I can lean on Him for strength and support when I am weary and burdened. When I do, He answers. His answers don’t always come in the way I expect. In fact, they are usually different from my expectations. However, different is usually better because I can’t see every aspect of what I’m asking for. God can. When God’s answers come, joy and thanksgiving follow.