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1Answer me when I call, God my defender.
Give me relief from my distress.
Have mercy on me, and hear my prayer.
David had a tough day. Undoubtedly, he felt frustration and anger.
2How long will you people insult me,
And love vanity, and seek after falsehood?
He addresses his enemies. Why are you doing this? When will it stop?
Selah
A pause of reflection. Perhaps God will speak.
3Know that Yahweh has set apart the faithful.
Yahweh will hear when I call to him.
David again addresses his tormentors. Maybe he’s also trying to convince himself.
4Stand in awe, and don’t sin.
Search your own heart on your bed; be still.
The Holy Spirit speaks. “David, search your own heart and be still. Don’t let your anger follow you into the night (Eph 4:26).”
Selah
Another pause. Prayer is more than spouting. Listen!
5Offer the sacrifices of righteousness.
Put your trust in Yahweh.
The Holy Spirit speaks again: “Trust God.” I get that, but what are these sacrifices of righteousness. The Bible tells us. They are the sacrifice of joy (Ps 27:6), thanksgiving (Ps 50:14), and praise (Heb 13:15).
6Many say, “Who will show us any good?”
Yahweh, let the light of your face shine on us.
David speaks again presenting his complaint to God. His enemies are saying, “What have you done for us lately? God, we need your blessing.”
7You have put more gladness in my heart,
More than a rich harvest of grain and grapes.
David’s heart is glad. This is far better than temporary prosperity.
8In peace I will both lie down and sleep,
You alone Yahweh make me live in safety.
David finds rest with renewed confidence in the Lord.
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1Give ear to my words, Yahweh.
Consider my meditation.
2Listen to the voice of my cry,
my King and my God;
For to you Yahweh do I pray.
3In the morning you shall hear my voice.
In the morning I lay my requests and wait.
It’s a new day as David presents his petitions and waits for an answer. Perhaps the tide will turn today.
4For you are not a God who loves evil.
Evil can’t live with you.
5The arrogant cannot stand in your sight.
You hate all workers of iniquity.
6You will destroy those who speak lies.
Yahweh abhors the bloody and deceitful.
He reminds God of his attributes; By his nature, he must judge evil and defend the upright.
7As for me, by your great loving kindness,
I will come into your house.
I will bow to your holy temple in reverence.
8Lead me, Yahweh, in your righteousness,
because of my enemies.
Make your way straight before my face.
David senses God’s presence. He submits himself fully to the Lord’s leading.
9For there is no faithfulness in their mouth.
Their heart is destruction.
Their throat is an open tomb.
They flatter with their tongue.
David presents his case. Perhaps in this matter David is right, but Paul applies this verse generally (Rom 3:9–19). None of us are totally innocent.
10Hold them guilty, God.
Let them fall by their own counsels;
Thrust them out for their many transgressions,
For they have rebelled against you.
David calls for action and turns the problem to God. Interesting! Judgment often doesn’t require divine violence. Many times the guilty fall into their own pit (Prov 26:27).
11Let all who take refuge in you rejoice,
Let them rejoice, because you defend them.
Let them who love your name rejoice in you.
12For you will bless the righteous, Yahweh.
You will cover him with favor like a shield.
David begins the new day with hope and expectation.
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The practice you mentioned in the oriental orthodox church is called agpeya. I have been embracing this, and it is a great way to keep you rooted in prayer. There are seven daily prayers, and you can modify as needed.