The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their cry. The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears, And delivers them out of all their troubles.
The LORD is near to those who have a broken heart, And saves such as have a contrite spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the LORD delivers him out of them all. He guards all his bones; Not one of them is broken. Evil shall slay the wicked, And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned. The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.
Many of the references in the Psalm regarding worship address the flow of that worship as from man to the LORD, God, the Almighty. This is certainly an appropriate direction for our concern. We need to be concerned, very concerned about our worship, that is appropriately directed and practiced.
But, praise the LORD, He reacts with visible, encouraging and valuable response. Read and reread that second paragraph. It does not promise that we will be without affliction and difficulties, but it does promise that He will be with us as we walk through the Valley of the Shadow of Death. (Psalm 23:4)
Reading
Morning Psalm 9, Noon Psalm 119:57-64, Evening Psalm 98.
