Take Words

Prayer in Nehemiah (12)

“O Israel, return to the LORD your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity;
take words with you, and return to the LORD.” (Hosea 14:1–2, NKJV) 

Psalms are songs for all seasons. Not only are they the hymnbook for God’s old covenant people, they are a prayer book for God’s people throughout the ages. While they arose in historical context, some of which are identified in the superscriptions, in most cases they stand alone and are well-suited to the struggles of life we face. 

The psalms give us voice when we need words to express our praise, distress, lament, confession, gratitude, and petition. Their poetic expression reaches to our minds but also expresses our hearts. They stir our imaginations and fortify our faith.

Psalm 22 is attributed to David yet finds its fullest expression on the lips of the Son of David. “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?” (Psa. 22:1). It gives us insight into the anguish of our Lord. 

We have noted the prominence of prayer in the book of Nehemiah. We are told of his great distress (Neh. 1:3). Perhaps we gain insight into his anguish in the words of Psalm 79. Take note of the threads woven into this prayer that begins with distress and ends with devotion. 

Psalm 79

A Psalm of Asaph.

1 O God, the nations have come into Your inheritance;

Your holy temple they have defiled;

They have laid Jerusalem in heaps.

2 The dead bodies of Your servants—

They have given as food for the birds of the heavens,

The flesh of Your saints to the beasts of the earth.

3 Their blood they have shed like water all around Jerusalem,

And there was no one to bury them.

4 We have become a reproach to our neighbors,

A scorn and derision to those who are around us.

5 How long, Lord?

Will You be angry forever?

Will Your jealousy burn like fire?

6 Pour out Your wrath on the nations that do not know You,

And on the kingdoms that do not call on Your name.

7 For they have devoured Jacob,

And laid waste his dwelling place.

8 Oh, do not remember former iniquities against us!

Let Your tender mercies come speedily to meet us,

For we have been brought very low.

9 Help us, O God of our salvation,

For the glory of Your name;

And deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins,

For Your name’s sake!

10 Why should the nations say,

“Where is their God?”

Let there be known among the nations in our sight

The avenging of the blood of Your servants which has been shed.

11 Let the groaning of the prisoner come before You;

According to the greatness of Your power

Preserve those who are appointed to die;

12 And return to our neighbors sevenfold into their bosom

Their reproach with which they have reproached You, O Lord.

13 So we, Your people and sheep of Your pasture,

Will give You thanks forever;

We will show forth Your praise to all generations.

What themes from Nehemiah do we see in Psalm 79? How does this psalm teach us to pray? 

If you have found this meditation helpful, take a moment and give thanks to God. Then share what you learned with a friend. This is how the grace of God spreads (2 Cor. 4.15). 

Except as indicated, all Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.