"Listen to my words, Lord, consider my lament. Hear my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly."

Psalm 5:1-3

What a wonderful psalm to read on a Sunday before church—even if it is a lament! David sets us an example of a humble heart, burdened but faith-filled. He acknowledges God’s sovereignty over his life (v. 2); he is expecting that God will listen to him (v. 3); he humbly confesses that it is only by God’s love that anyone can enter the presence of the Lord (v. 7); he worships the Lord with reverence and a submissive spirit (v. 7); he prays for the Lord’s righteousness to guide his life (v. 8); he trusts in the Lord’s righteousness to bring blessing and protection to those who trust in God and obey him (vv. 11, 12).

It is with this attitude of reverent worship that David brings his prayer of lament. He knows that he needs to share his troubled mind and spirit with the Lord, to ask the Lord for his comfort, wisdom, and protection. David is burdened by the world around him, by the sin and wickedness that impact him and God’s people. He has seen and experienced so much that is against God’s law and righteousness that he cannot bear it. He wants the Lord to act with righteousness against the wickedness he sees around him and is not afraid to ask God to do so.

Closing Prayer

As I lay my lament and cares before you, I wait expectantly. My refuge is in you, Lord, and I will ever sing for joy (edited from Encounter with God).