angela hormberg

Tag: Petition

  • Psalm 35

    Psalm 35

    Commonplace –

    “…say unto my soul, I am thy salvation” (Psalm 35:3b).

    In Psalm 35, David is crying out to God for help in conquering his adversaries. He beseeches the Lord to defend him. Particularly moving is David’s request that God speak directly to and encourage his soul. He desperately needs to know God supports him, because he is surrounded by those who seek his life.

    Interspersed in between his petitions, David declares:

    “my soul shall be joyful in the Lord” (Psalm 35:9a) and

    “All my bones shall say, Lord, who is like unto thee, which deliverest the poor from him that is too strong for him, yea, the poor and the needy from him that spoileth him?” (Psalm 35:10).

    In this way, David lives in hope of God’s providential help. He builds his confidence in God’s salvation, He reminds himself of what his own response should be and had been to evil doers, when sickness strikes them: “I behaved as though he had been my friend or brother” (Psalm 35:14a).

    This is a psalm of petition. David is in the midst of suffering. He models for us what we should do in such trying times. We may

    1. cry out to God and lay before him our claims against those who commit evil against us,

    2. continually praise God through the process and rest assured of his aid, and

    3. not turn from doing good.

    Matthew Henry imparts solid guidance in regard to Psalm 35.

    “In singing this psalm, and praying over it, we must take heed of applying it to any little peevish quarrels and enmities of our own, and of expressing by it any uncharitable revengeful resentments of injuries done to us; for Christ has taught us to forgive our enemies and not to pray against them, but to pray for them, as he did; but,

    1. We may comfort ourselves with the testimony of our consciences concerning our innocency, with reference to those that are any way injurious to us, and with hopes that God will, in his own way and time, right us, and, in the mean time, support us.
    2. We ought to apply it to the public enemies of Christ and his kingdom, typified by David and his kingdom, to resent the indignities done to Christ’s honour, to pray to God to plead the just and injured cause of Christianity” (293).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 35.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 27

    Psalm 27

    Commonplace –

    “One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple” (Psalm 27:4).

    Psalm 27 is a meditation on “Whom shall I fear?” (v.1), if I have God as my light, salvation, and strength.

    This meditation immediately causes David to recall an instance, where God has saved him. His enemies came to kill him, and they stumbled and fell. (v.2) This reminder encourages him that even if enemies and war come against him, he should not fear in his heart, knowing God is with him. (v.3) Knowing God has led him to desire God even more, asking God to allow him to be with God in eternity, which will be the ultimate victory. There he will sing with joy. (v.4-6) He then petitions God to hear him, have mercy on him, answer him, not hide his face from him, to never leave him, to never forsake him, even if his parents forsake him. (v.10) He asks God to teach him and deliver him from his enemies. (v.11-12) Finally, he declares he would have been lost without God and encourages others to “Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord” (v.13-14). What a lovely meditation! We have the privilege of following along with David as he moves from thought to thought, giving us a perfect example of how we, too, can meditate on God.

    Matthew Henry notes:

    “[Psalm 27] is very expressive of the pious and devout affections with which gracious souls are carried out towards God at all times, especially in times of trouble” (269).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 27.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 26

    Psalm 26

    Commonplace –

    “I will wash mine hands in innocency: so will I compass thine altar, O Lord:

    That I may publish with the voice of thanksgiving, and tell of all thy wondrous works” (Psalm 26:6-7).

    Psalm 26 is a ‘mark the day’ song, in which David has had a good day. Among the psalms, this type of psalm is not often seen, but it is important. It is a day of victory, when we may stand and say “Judge me, O Lord; for I have walked in mine integrity: I have trusted also in the Lord; therefore I shall not slide” (v.1). Yet, this is not a boastful psalm centered on David’s accomplishment, but it is a psalm of praise to God for his leading along the paths of righteousness. It is a psalm to which we daily aspire. In it we see the following framework:

    David begins by asking God to:

    1. judge him. (v.1)
    2. examine him. (v.2)
    3. prove him. (v.2)
    4. try his reins. (v.2)
    5. try his heart. (v.2)

    He is able to ask God to do these things, because he has committed himself to the Lord’s leading. He lists what he has done and has not done in order to have a good day.

    He has

    1. walked in his integrity. (v.1)
    2. trusted in the Lord. (v.1)
    3. kept the Lord’s lovingkindness before his eyes. (v.3)
    4. walked in the Lord’s truth. (v.3)
    5. hated the congregation of evildoers. (v.5)
    6. loved the Lord’s house. (v.8)

    He has not

    1. sat with vain persons. (v.4)
    2. gone in with dissemblers. (v.4)
    3. sat with the wicked. (v.5)

    By following the Lord, he is able to stand in innocence and on an even foot before the altar of the Lord, where he may give thanks, tell of God’s “wondrous works”, and bless the Lord.

    He petitions the Lord

    1. not to put his soul in the company of sinners. (v.9)
    2. not to put his life with bloody men, who are full of mischief and bribes. (v.10)
    3. to redeem him. (v.11)
    4. be merciful to him. (v.11)

    Matthew Henry notes the following in his summary:

    “In singing this psalm we must teach and admonish ourselves, and one another, what we must be and do that we may have the favour of God, and comfort in our own consciences, and comfort ourselves with it, as David does, if we can say that in any measure we have, through grace, answered to these characters” (266).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 26.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 25

    Psalm 25

    Commonplace –

    “All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies” (Psalm 25:10).

    Psalm 25 is a daily prayer, one in which we can call on at any time. It reflects our day-to-day need. Within its verses, David prays for God’s mercy and truth to fill his life.

    Prayer for Mercy

    David recognizes his own sin and cries out for mercy,

    “Look upon mine affliction and my pain; and forgive all my sins” (V. 18).

    He reminds himself that God is “good and upright…therefore will he teach sinners in the way” (v.8). This is a promise on which the believer may rely.

    Prayer for Truth

    He commits his soul to God and prays for God to teach him in truth,

    “Shew me thy ways, O Lord; teach me thy paths.

    Lead me in thy truth, and teach me: for thou art the God of my salvation; on thee do I wait all the day” (v.4-5).

    He reminds himself that God will guide him in truth, but he, as a believer, must commit to being meek and teachable and keeping God’s covenant’s and testimonies.

    Matthew Henry describes Psalm 25 as a psalm “full of devout affection to God, the out-goings of holy desires towards his favour and grace and the lively actings of faith in his promises (262).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 25.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 13

    Psalm 13

    Commonplace –

    “How long wilt thou forget me, O Lord?” (Psalm 13:1a).

    Questions for God

    David opens Psalm 13 with four questions:

    1. How long wilt thou forget me O Lord? for ever?
    2. How long wilt thou hide thy face from me?
    3. How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily?
    4. How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?

    Petition

    Then, David brings forth his petition to God, and he uses action verbs. These are the actions he desires God to take:

    1. Consider me
    2. Hear me
    3. Lighten mine eyes, lighten my eyes lest I sleep the sleep of death

    The first two petitions are clear. He is asking God to listen and carefully weigh his requests. The third is a bit confusing, “lighten my eyes” (v.3.); this could be physical, spiritual, or both. David’s mood is heavy and dark; spiritually he is weighed down. This downhearted outlook casts a darkness over life, so he’s asking for spiritual illumination. He is asking for help to see beyond his circumstances and to be reinvigorated with hope and light. It could also have the double physical meaning that he is fearful he will lose his life. He needs strength to overcome his enemies, who stand waiting to jeer at him, if he fails.

    Remembering and Reminding

    David remembers.

    “But I have trusted in thy mercy; my heart shall rejoice in thy salvation.

    I will sing unto the Lord, because he hat dealt bountifully with me” (Psalm 13:6).

    Note his past tense in the word ‘trusted’ and how he switches tense with ‘shall’ and ‘will’. I have trusted; I shall rejoice. I will sing. God has always supplied more than enough of his needs. He will walk forward in faith, knowing God will not leave him.

    Once again, Matthew Henry’s words are on point.

    “This psalm is the deserted soul’s case and cure.

    Henry comments on David’s final words: “[David] concludes his deliverance to be as good as wrought” (229).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 13.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg

  • Psalm 12

    Psalm 12

    Commonplace –

    “Help, Lord” (Psalm 12:1a).

    Petition

    The situation is dire. David cries out, “Help, Lord” (v.1.). He lays before the Lord his charge against the wicked.

    1. They speak vanity with flattering lips.
    2. They speak with a double heart.
    3. They speak with pride and boasting.

    Grounds for Petition

    David details the situation resulting from the evil actions of the wicked.

    1. godly men cease
    2. the faithful fail

    Justification

    David asks God to keep and preserve the godly from the wicked. He quotes God’s own words back to him:

    “For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy, now will I arise, saith the Lord; I will set him in safety from him that puffeth at him” (Psalm 12:5).

    Further, David compares God’s words to the vain words of the wicked. God’s words are “pure words; as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times” (v.6). Therefore, God’s words are more than enough evidence to support the petition for God’s intercession on behalf of the godly.

    Remembering and Reminding

    David reassures himself and the reader that God will resolve this situation and the godly will prevail: “Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever” (Psalm 12:7). Remembering this brings peace in the midst of troubling circumstances. Reminding the reader of this is a help in times of trouble.

    Warning

    The psalm closes with a warning, “The wicked walk on every side, when the vilest men are exalted” (Psalm 12:8). Again, this is written for David and the reader. If vile men are elevated in a society, the wicked proliferate. It is our responsibility to be on guard against this, refrain from participating in anything that encourages the increase in wickedness, and to pray faithfully against it happening.

    Here is an excerpt of Matthew Henry’s summary of Psalm 12.

    “It is supposed that David penned this psalm in Saul’s reign, when there was a general decay of honesty and piety both in court and country, which he here complains of to God, and very feelingly, for he himself suffered by the treachery of false friends and the insolence of sworn enemies” (227).

    Works Cited

    Henry, Matthew. “Psalm 12.” Matthew Henry’s Commentary On the Whole Bible: New Modern Edition. Volume 3 and Volume 6, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., March 1996.

    Holy Bible: Giant Print with Study Aids. Dugan Publishers, Inc., 1984.

    © 2025 Angela Hormberg