Psalm 28: More Mercy

Key Verse
2    Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary. 
 
Meditation
God’s grace invites God’s people to cry out to Him for mercy. Before we ever call upon the Lord, He has first called us to Himself. Because of His grace, Christians lift holy hands in prayer (1 Timothy 2:8), casting every care upon the One who delights to hear His children. Prayers for mercy sustain believers through suffering, strengthen faith in the wilderness, and steady hearts when surrounded by the wicked.

David’s prayer moves from desperate petition (vv. 1-2), to a plea for justice (vv. 3-5), to confident praise (vv. 6-7), and finally to intercession for God’s people (vv. 8-9). Like children running to a loving father, believers cry out for mercy by:
 
Looking to the Lord alone for help (v. 2).
Lifting empty hands in surrender, holding only to hope in Him (v. 2).
Directing hearts toward God's holy presence, trusting His covenant promises (v. 2).
 
Jesus transforms today’s psalm from hopeful prayer into confident assurance. On the cross, Jesus cried out under God's judgment so that all who cry for mercy might be heard. Because Christ was forsaken, we will never be abandoned. Through Him, we approach the throne of grace with confidence, knowing our Father delights to receive us.
 
Therefore, whatever storms surround us, we need not be swept away. Those who trust in Christ discover the Lord to be our:
Strength and Shield (v. 7),
Song of salvation (v. 7),
Stronghold of safety (v. 8),
Shepherd who carries His people forever (v. 9).

The invitation is clear: Cry out for mercy. In Christ, your Father hears, answers, and He will hold you fast.
 
Today’s Reading
 
To you, O Lord, I call; 
my rock, be not deaf to me, 
       lest, if you be silent to me, 
I become like those who go down to the pit. 
2    Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, 
when I cry to you for help, 
       when I lift up my hands 
toward your most holy sanctuary. 
3    Do not drag me off with the wicked, 
with the workers of evil, 
       who speak peace with their neighbors 
while evil is in their hearts. 
4    Give to them according to their work 
and according to the evil of their deeds; 
       give to them according to the work of their hands; 
render them their due reward. 
5    Because they do not regard the works of the Lord
or the work of his hands, 
       he will tear them down and build them up no more. 
6    Blessed be the Lord! 
For he has heard the voice of my pleas for mercy. 
7    The Lord is my strength and my shield; 
in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; 
       my heart exults, 
and with my song I give thanks to him. 
8    The Lord is the strength of his people; 
he is the saving refuge of his anointed. 
9    Oh, save your people and bless your heritage!
Be their shepherd and carry them forever. 
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from David’s prayer for mercy?
 
-Why is it difficult to call out to God for mercy? Where else do you look for help during hard times and difficult days?
 
-Which aspects of God’s character as described in vv. 7-9 are most inviting to you? Where do you see Jesus embodying these characteristics, and how does this invite you deeper into trusting Him- crying out to Him for mercy?
 
Key Verse
2    Hear the voice of my pleas for mercy, when I cry to you for help, when I lift up my hands toward your most holy sanctuary.