Toni’s Title
God’s Blessings in Adversity
ESV Title
O LORD, Be Gracious to Me
Literary Type
This is an individual lament.
Laments
More than 1/3 of the Psalms fall into the category of complaints to God in situations of limitation or threat. These laments were a form of prayer and praise based on the conviction that God is concerned about people and answers the human cry in ways surpassing human expectation or understanding. Israel’s laments out of distress were a way of praising God even when he seemed absent. The faith of the psalmists is founded on the good news that God intervenes in desperate situations to help those who are distressed. The psalmists share a deep confidence that God is compassionate, concerned, hearing his people and involved with them; God is faithful and trustworthy. A lament is an outcry to God from a responsive heart. Laments came from individuals or from the community.
Examples: Psalms 3-5, 22, 27:7-14, 42, 51, 69, 90, 130, 137 and many others
NT Prayer Guide
James 1:23-25; 4:17
Superscription
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
41
Beatus qui intelligit
1 Blessed is the one who considers the poor and needy; *
the Lord shall deliver him in the time of trouble.
2 The Lord preserves him and keeps him alive, that he may be blessed upon earth, *
and delivers him not over to the will of his enemies.
3 The Lord comforts him when he lies sick upon his bed, *
and restores him from his bed of sickness.
4 I said, “Lord, be merciful to me; *
heal my soul, for I have sinned against you.”
5 My enemies speak evil of me: *
“When shall he die, and his name perish?”
6 And if anyone comes to see me, he speaks empty words; *
his heart conceives falsehood within him, and when he goes forth, he tells it.
7 All my enemies whisper together against me; *
even against me are they devising evil:
8 “A deadly thing has taken hold of him, *
and now that he lies down, he will rise up no more.”
9 Indeed, even my own familiar friend, whom I trusted, who also ate of my bread, *
has lifted up his heel against me.
10But be merciful to me, O Lord; *
raise me up again, and I shall repay them.
11By this I know you favor me, *
that my enemy does not triumph over me.
12And when I am in health, you uphold me, *
and shall set me before your face for ever.
13Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, *
world without end. Amen.