The Prayer of the Needy

“What I did not steal
must I now restore?” 

—Psalm 69:4

There has been no other book in Scripture that has had more tears fall across its pages than the book of Psalms. The book of Psalms is made up of several poetic songs, prayers, and pleas that depict the raw emotions we experience throughout life. There is jubilation, adoration, confession, celebration, humiliation, as well as prayers and cries for vindication, retribution, and retaliation. And today’s passage is no different. It is a cry to God to hear his prayer as he experiences some of the greatest pain in his life.

Today’s verse is a questioning cry of pain in the midst of persecution.  The Psalmist is in turmoil and he begins with a description of his current state—the floodwaters have come up to his neck (v. 1), he is sinking in deep mire and has no foothold (v. 2), and the flood sweeps over him (v. 2).  He is exhausted from crying out with no one coming to help (v. 3-4) and hated without cause and being attacked with lies (v. 4).   Apparently, he was accused of stealing something he didn’t and is now required to restore it.  He knows he’s not without sin (v. 5, 19), and pleads for those who have hoped in God because of him in order that they may not be put to shame or dishonor (v. 6).  He recognizes that he’s being reproached because of His trust in the Lord (v. 7-10).  He’s been consumed with zeal for God’s house and born reproach for the name of God (v. 9).  He’s humbled himself with fasting, but despite his godliness, he’s made fun of and reviled (v. 12).

In the midst of his despondency, he offers his prayer to God (v. 13).  He pleads for deliverance from despair and his enemies (v. 14) and asks that God answer him promptly because of His steadfast love, faithfulness, and abundant mercy (v. 13, 16).  He pleads that God not hide His face (v. 17), and asks that He draw near and ransom him (v. 18).  He looked for pity from others and found none (v. 20).  He looked for anyone who cared, who would listen to his problems, but there was no one (v. 20).  In fact, rather than help him, those whom he sought pity or comfort from tried to kill him (v. 21).  He prays that God would cause their plans to backfire, and bring wrath upon them (v. 22-28).   He then reminds God of the pain that he’s in, and offers to praise God with a song and thanksgiving (v. 30), which he believes is greater than any animal sacrifice (v. 31).   His last words are words of hope.  He knows that the humble will see his praise to God and will be revived (v. 32). He knows that the LORD hears the needy and doesn’t despise those who are in prison because of Him (v. 33).   He concludes with an invitation for all creation to praise God (v. 34-36).

What the Psalmist wants us to understand is that God hears the needy.   It doesn’t matter what we have gone through, what injustice we have experienced, and how much we feel hated and mistreated—if we are God’s children, then He will hear us when we pray.  Do you feel like you’re going through a difficult time right now?  Do you feel mistreated by your family, friends, co-workers, or classmates because of Jesus?  Do you feel like God isn’t doing anything to help you?   Then know this, justice delayed is not justice denied.  God will hear and He will answer in His own time.  We cannot pretend to know how and when God will work and answer our prayers, but we can be sure that He will, in His time, and His own way.  It may not be today, tomorrow, next week, next month, or next year, but God will answer the prayers and cries of His servants.  We must simply continue pouring our hearts out to Him in faith knowing that He will answer us when we call.   Amen.