"But as for me, my prayer is unto thee, O LORD, in an acceptable time: O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me, in the truth of thy salvation."
Psalm 69:13
In this psalm, David pours out his heart to the LORD. He mentions some of the things that his enemies have done to him. He is hated without reason (v. 4). He has born the Lord’s reproach (v. 7). They have made him a proverb (v. 11). He is the subject of the songs of drunks (v. 12).
“But as for me,”
Even with all his mistreatment he still is trying to do right. Instead of attacking his attackers he takes his burden to the LORD. In his deep water (vv. 1-2), he turns to the One he knows can help him. It is true that we all face deep waters of our own from time to time, but the question is where do we turn for help? Do we just take care of it on our own, or call out to a friend? David’s habit was to turn to Jehovah when he was in need.
“My prayer is unto thee,”
David prayed to the LORD. He could have easily justified going after his enemies and attacking them for a change. But rather than “fighting fire with fire,” he chose to pray for them. It’s so much easier to take matters into our own hands and to pay back what we think is right. To pray for our attackers, now that shows our trust in the LORD, and in His judgment. We ask Him to make it right, to get even, for honestly, we don’t really know how to payback the way God does. How to hit back, where to hit, and how hard, these are things only God knows. David’s example is to let the vengeance go and let God settle the score. Pray!
“O LORD, in an acceptable time:”
David prayed for his need and then he was willing to let the LORD be God. He wanted God to handle his request when He thought the time was right. It is so easy to become impatient when we’ve prayed and to think God needs to answer us on our timetable. God knows us better than we know ourselves, and He knows what we need and when we need it. His timing is always right. For this reason, it is best for us not to try and set limits on God’s timing. Whenever we have trouble, it is the right time to pray.
“And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me,” (Psalm 50:15).
But let God answer, in His time.
Today is always the right day to ask God to save you.
“(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succored thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” (2 Corinthians 6:2)
“O God, in the multitude of thy mercy hear me,”
David asked God to listen to him, not based upon his goodness, but upon God’s mercy, His loving kindness. David made no demands of the Lord, but he humbly asked God to listen to his prayer. David was a sinner, but he knew of God’s great mercy, and he based his request upon that fact.
“In the truth of thy salvation.”
“In the truth – Or, According to thy saving truth, or faithfulness; grant me that salvation, which thou hast graciously promised.”1 (John Wesley)
David completely trusted God to rescue him from his trouble. Is your trust in the Lord?
1. John Wesley. John Wesley’s Notes on the Bible, the electronic version in eSword.