In this psalm there are two prayers: that of the individual in verse 1 and that of others in the remaining verses. We can see from verses 3 and 4 that the author lived in a difficult time when God’s people were mocked by others.
The petitioner in verse 1 looks up to the sovereign God who reigns over the world. He knows that the only One who can help them is the Lord. God cannot be removed from his position and nothing on earth can change that reality. It is good to be reminded that we have a sovereign God who can help his people in their difficulties.
The petitioners in verses 2-4 also confess the sovereignty of God. They also say that they are his servants, ever ready to do what he wills, even as slaves in a household would be alert for instructions from their masters and mistresses who would use hand signs to convey their requirements.
The author takes this imagery and says that what God’s humble servants desire is God’s mercy. It is not so much mercy for their sins, although believers often ask for mercy in this sense. Rather they wanted mercy to be shown by the removal of the sources of contempt. They want God’s hands to move in the direction of dealing with those concerns.
Their prayers were simultaneously persistent and patient. This is how we show we are putting God first – we bring the matter to him and plead humbly and expectedly with him until he answers. The Lord is full of pity towards us, and he will listen sympathetically to such a cry. Eventually he will answer if we persist in our prayers.
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