Matthew 1:1
A prayer of David.
1 Hear me, Lord, my plea is just;
listen to my cry.
Hear my prayer—
it does not rise from deceitful lips.
2 Let my vindication come from you;
may your eyes see what is right.
3 Though you probe my heart,
though you examine me at night and test me,
you will find that I have planned no evil;
my mouth has not transgressed.
4 Though people tried to bribe me,
I have kept myself from the ways of the violent
through what your lips have commanded.
5 My steps have held to your paths;
my feet have not stumbled.
6 I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;
turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
7 Show me the wonders of your great love,
you who save by your right hand
those who take refuge in you from their foes.
8 Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings
9 from the wicked who are out to destroy me,
from my mortal enemies who surround me.
10 They close up their callous hearts,
and their mouths speak with arrogance.
11 They have tracked me down, they now surround me,
with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.
12 They are like a lion hungry for prey,
like a fierce lion crouching in cover.
13 Rise up, Lord, confront them, bring them down;
with your sword rescue me from the wicked.
14 By your hand save me from such people, Lord,
from those of this world whose reward is in this life.
May what you have stored up for the wicked fill their bellies;
may their children gorge themselves on it,
and may there be leftovers for their little ones.
15 As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face;
when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness.
16 Rejoice always, 17 pray continually, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
St. Paul in his letter to the Thessalonians, told them to rejoice, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for all of us that believe in Jesus, His Son...We often pray in our times of trouble and tragedy -for Jesus said in this world we will have troubles...Since Jesus told the Twelve Disciples (His closest followers) they would have troubles, there is no getting around us not having troubles, if one believes in Jesus' teachings...
David said many prayers to the LORD, and many are in the Psalms that he wrote...He was close to God, and God was close to him...He was well before Paul's time, but he prayed a lot, and seems to pray continually as St. Paul suggests...King David led his country into many battles, and the LORD was with him and beside him in these battles...He was often in troubles in the middle of battles and also outside the battlegrounds ..David knew that life is fragile, and he could be killed at anytime...But in his many prayers we get this feeling that he took comfort in God being near him...When he says they are like a lion hungry for prey, like a fierce lion crouching in cover...King David knew he was forever being searched out by his enemies...So when David felt in trouble, he prays and turns to his LORD and his God...I call out to you, my Father...
I particularly like the verses I call on you, my God, for You will answer me; turn Your ear to me and hear my prayer...Show me the wonders of Your great LOVE, You who save by Your right hand...David says hear me, Lord, my plea is just; listen to my cry...Hear my prayer—it does not rise from deceitful lips...David in his many battles seems to be surrounded and being hunted by his enemies...He says they have tracked me down, they now surround me, with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground...They are like a lion hungry for prey, like a fierce lion crouching in cover....David is crying from his heart...David takes comfort in the LORD and his prayers, knowing His Father will help him...David prays that his Father will keep him out of harm's way -that he will be safe...
David was very dependent upon God as he prays throughout the Psalms...And praying to our Father and His Son when we are in trouble in this world can be comforting in our times of troubles...David knew that his call to his Father would be not only heard but that it would be answered...And Jesus who is a great-great-great Grandson of David and sometimes is called the Son of David...Jesus also is familiar with troubles...He was tortured and died on the cross by men...But He overcame this world...Jesus is not only familiar with troubles He is ready to help us when we face troubles...This is the pattern of His followers to return to Him in these times of troubles to find His comfort...We, much like King David and St. Paul must pray continuously each and everyday...Jesus will be there beside us kneeling and praying to His Father with us, for He is there to help us carry us through these burdensome and troubled times -listening to the times when we cry out...