THOU THAT HEAREST PRAYER

The latter part of this psalm depicts God mercifully meeting the great need in time of drought. In Israel’s case, this occurred through departure from God, Deut. 28. 24.

The awe-inspiring renewal of nature came about upon confession of the cause of the drought—the transgression which had prevailed against them, v. 3. God is the One who hears such prayer, and restores, so that the soul, like the land, can be fruitful again.

The Book of Psalms breathes an atmosphere of prayer. Prayer is a looking up beyond self to a higher sphere, 5. 3; a lifting up the eyes in desire for spiritual vision, 123. 1; a lifting up of the very soul unto the Lord, 25. 1.

It is waiting only on God, 62. 2, even when the eyes fail while so doing, 69. 3, assured that none that wait shall be put to shame, 25. 3, but shall be enriched, 37. 9. Therefore, “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord”, 27. 14.

Importunity in prayer is inculcated by our Lord, whose busy life was also a life of prayer, Luke 11. 1-13. In the agony of the garden, He repeated prayer, for this did not constitute “vain repetitions”, Matt. 6. 7.

Prayer is a drawing near to God, and as such is productive and good, Psa. 73. 28; 65. 4. But it is to be with the whole heart, 119. 58, and it must not be out of feigned lips, 17. 1. Therefore confession will be made, for “If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me”, 66. 18. In this spirit, prayer is definitely not double-minded, James 1. 6-8.

Prayer pleads the promises and faithfulness of the Lord, “in thy faithfulness answer me”, 143. 1. “Remember the word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope”.

Present prayer finds encouragement from past answers, “I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice … therefore will I call upon him as long as I five”, 116. 1, 2. Faith is to be active, for God is the confidence of the ends of the earth, 65. 5. Humility is not absent, “thou hast heard the desire of the humble”, 10. 17. Moreover, set times for prayer show an ordered life, “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray”, 55. 17.

“Let your requests be made known unto God”, Phil. 4. 6.