Psalm 28:1-9 “By David. To you, LORD, I call. My rock, don’t be deaf to me, lest, if you are silent to me, I would become like those who go down into the pit. Hear the voice of my petitions, when I cry to you, when I lift up my hands towards your Most Holy Place. Don’t draw me away with the wicked, with the workers of iniquity who speak peace with their neighbors, but mischief is in their hearts. Give them according to their work, and according to the wickedness of their doings. Give them according to the operation of their hands. Bring back on them what they deserve. Because they don’t respect the works of the LORD, nor the operation of his hands, he will break them down and not build them up. Blessed be the LORD, because he has heard the voice of my petitions. The LORD is my strength and my shield. My heart has trusted in him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart greatly rejoices. With my song I will thank him. The LORD is their strength. He is a stronghold of salvation to his anointed. Save your people, and bless your inheritance. Be their shepherd also, and bear them up forever.”

We see David start with lament and then turn to praise and thanksgiving. He recognizes that God is his rock, but still struggles with God’s delay to his petitions. After all, he’s not in the grave, he’s not wicked, and he respects God and His ways! But, even in his lament, David still trusts and believes, and praises God because He does hear. God is his rock, His shield, and His strength, but not just his! God is all that for His people too. He is their shepherd and salvation.

There are some important reminders here for us. First, it’s okay to want the wicked to be judged. After all, they would just be getting what they deserve, because they don’t respect God! Second, we see again that expressing our concerns to God helps us to once again trust in Him. Doubt expressed helps us to remember what God has promised He will do for His people. Third, our trust and belief should lead us to praising His name! And finally, God is our shepherd, and has promised to lead us forever!

Isaiah 40:10-11 “Behold, the Lord GOD will come as a mighty one, and his arm will rule for him. Behold, his reward is with him, and his recompense before him. He will feed his flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in his arm, and carry them in his bosom. He will gently lead those who have their young.”

For additional worship: Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah | Jeremy Casella