BIG IDEA:
THE LORD IS NOT DEAF TO THE CRIES OF HIS PEOPLE
I. (:1-2) THE CRY FOR A HEARING
A. (:1) The Rock Has Ears
“To Thee, O Lord, I call;
My rock, do not be deaf to me,
Lest, if Thou be silent to me,
I become like those who go down to the pit.”
B. (:2) The Holy Sanctuary Receives Cries for Help
“Hear the voice of my supplications when I cry to Thee for help,
When I lift up my hands toward Thy holy sanctuary.”
II. (:3) THE CRY FOR FAIRNESS
DON’T TREAT ME THE SAME AS THE WICKED
A. Workers of Iniquity
“Do not drag me away with the wicked
And with those who work iniquity”
B. Deceitful, Malicious Neighbors
“Who speak peace with their neighbors,
While evil is in their hearts.”
III. (:4-5) THE CRY FOR JUSTICE
REPAY THE WICKED WHAT THEY DESERVE
A. The Standard for Payment:
“according to their work”
“according to the evil of their practices”
“according to the deeds of their hands”
B. The Reason for no Mercy or Grace:
“they do not regard the works of the Lord”
they do not regard “the deeds of His hands”
C. Summary:
“He will tear them down and not build them up”
IV. (:6-7) THE LORD HAS HEARD MY CRIES
MY STRENGTH AND MY SHIELD
A. Blessings of Answered Prayers
connection between faith and deliverance
“Blessed be the Lord, Because He has heard the voice of my supplication.
The Lord is my strength and my shield;
My heart trusts in Him, and I am helped”
B. Songs of Thanksgiving from the heart
“Therefore my heart exults,
And with my song I shall thank Him.”
V. (:8-9) THE LORD WILL HEAR THE CRIES OF HIS PEOPLE
THEIR STRENGTH AND THEIR SHIELD
“The Lord is their strength,
And He is a saving defense to His anointed.
Save Thy people, and bless Thine inheritance;
Be their shepherd also, and carry them forever.”
Ryrie: “The Lord provides the strength of a fortress and the care of a shepherd”