In this Psalm, the Psalmist cries out to God for several specific things ... things that God delights to answer and provide for those who have a heart for him. They are as follows:

Verse 1-2. …the cry for God to hear us. This subject requires a bit of study. Prior to the cross, and under the Law, God’s hearing of a saint's prayer was not a given. It was contingent on certain things. For example, we read in Psalm 66:18,

If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear.

The Law, you see, set up barriers between God and his people. That’s because its main purpose was to:

a. ...drive his people to Christ …

But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. Gal. 3:23-25

b. …accentuate the awfulness of sin... …

Therefore did that which is good become a cause of death for me? May it never be! Rather it was sin, in order that it might be shown to be sin by effecting my death through that which is good, so that through the commandment.. sin would become utterly sinful. Rom 7:13

c. ...to shut men’s mouths (eliminate all boasting in one’s own goodness and works) …

Now we know that whatever the Law says, it speaks to those who are under the Law, so that every mouth may be closed..and all the world may become accountable to God… Rom 3:19

So, every time a saint who was under the law prayed … the haunting voice of the Law said, “You have sinned. You must plead for God to hear you!” Why? In order to continuously point out their absolute need for a Savior! But, when a saint prays today, is that still the case? Absolutely not. There is no longer any sin barrier between God and a child of God! Rather,

Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Heb 4:14-16

God’s door is always open to his people today. God’s ear is always available. Sin is no longer an issue because of the cross, you see. “But sin cuts me off from God!” you say. Yes, it does ... but not from God’s side ... it only cuts us off from our side because when we sin we turn our back on God and walk away. Our fellowship has been broken … from our side … but not our relationship, you see. We are still a son or daughter of God. That cannot be changed. This is the theme of First John … fellowship with God. And how does a child of God re-establish their sin caused, broken fellowship with God? John nails it,

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 Jn 1:9

This is very difficult to grasp for those who do not understand the fullness of the work that Christ did on the cross in wiping out our sin forever. Sin is no longer a question between God and his children. Jesus has taken care of that problem permanently.

That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Eph 5:27

Sin does not affect our.. position..before God ... it affects our.. walk. Therefore, we no longer have to plead for God’s ear as God's people had to do in the Old Testament. By the way, the prayers of God’s people have always been like sweet smelling incense in the nostrils of God. So it was, in the Old Testament, and so it is today. Revelation 8:3-4, comes to mind,

And another angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer; and there was given unto him much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints..upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand.

Verse 3. …the cry for God to do something about our mouths. All of God’s people, being sinners, all have a mouth problem. As the prophet Isaiah so succinctly put it,

Then said I, Woe is me! for I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for mine eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts. Isa 6:5

James is even more direct about our mouths. He says,

But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. James 3:8

Verse 4. …the cry for God to turn us away from wickedness and those who practice it. Ever ask God for that? What did he say? Jesus prayed,

Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. Jn 17:17

Verses 5-6. … the cry for God to provide honest and righteous (right doers) companions who will help a child of God in his walk with God.

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. Prov 27:6

Verses 7-8. …the cry for God to revive and restore his (and David’s) people, Israel. This cry actually originates in the heart of God and brings out one of the great themes of the Bible … namely, the restoration of Israel. Ezekiel’s vision of the valley of dry bones, in Ezekiel 37, epitomizes this biblical theme and is probably the greatest Old Testament passage on the subject. The Apostle Paul accentuated this truth as well saying,

And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob… Rom 11:26

Verse 9-10. …the cry for God to save us from all the traps that wicked people set. Have you seen any of those lately? Fallen into any? Got snagged in any of them? They are everywhere, you know. Enticements to commit immorality (via TV, movies, Internet … lust, pornography etc.), the constant siren calls to materialism, a whole multitude of wholesome and unwholesome games and activities that steal away time for God and service for God… the list goes on. There are many snares. We need our great God’s help to avoid them.

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