O God, do not keep silent; be not quiet, O God, be not still. See how your enemies are astir, how your foes rear their heads.  With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish. 

These verses certainly describe what is happening today.  All of the values of God are being challenged – in schools, in our government, and even in some churches.  These verses are also a reminder of Who we must go to for help.  As Christians, we are the beloved of the One True God.  The One Who calls the stars by name and puts them in their place (Ps. 147), the One Who made man in His image (Genesis 1: 26), the One Who prepared a place for man in heaven (Romans 14)  Contrary to modern opinion, HE is the One with the POWER.  It mades sense, then, that we should ask Him for wisdom, help an endurance during these trying times.

How long will you defend the unjust and show partiality to the wicked? Defend the cause of the weak and fatherless; maintain the rights of the poor and oppressed.  Rescue the weak and needy; deliver them from the hand of the wicked.

These verses once again remind us of God’s concern for the weak, the poor, the needy.  We are to take up their cause, protect them and defend them.  He is our example.  How will God use each of us in this ministry to the poor and defenseless?

“Hear, O my people, and I will warn you- if you would but listen to me, O Israel:  You shall have no foreign god among you; you shall not bow down to an alien god.  I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt.  Open wide your mouth and I will fill it.”

If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways, how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!  Those who hate the LORD would cringe before him, and their punishment would last forever.  But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.”

This seems pretty straight forward to me.  Aknowledge that I, and no other am God.  I will meet your every physical need (open wide your mouth and I will fill it).  Listen to me; do what I say; follow Me, and I will defeat your enemies, and meet your needs in amazng and wonderful ways, beyond just what you need (finest of wheat, honey from the rock).  These are solid promises, so if your needs aren’t met, and your enemies aren’t defeated, then I think you must go back to the basics:  is God, and only God, the One Who is most important in my life AND am I listening to Him, and following in His ways.

Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved. O LORD God Almighty, how long will your anger smolder against the prayers of your people?  Restore us, O God Almighty; make your face shine upon us that we may be saved.  Return to us, O God Almighty!  Look down from heaven and see!  Watch over this vine,…  Restore us, O Lord God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.

I can pull myself up by my bootstraps and get on with life.  People can learn how to live with debilitating diseases.  We can eat right, get healthy, and even train to become physically fit, but there is only One Who can restore.  He restores body, mind, and spirit.  He repairs the most seriously damaged relationship in our human lives: the one between Him and us.  HE RESTORES IT.    We are whole and secure NO MATTER WHAT THE CIRCUMSTANCES OF OUR LIVES.

Do not hold against us the sins of the fathers;  may your mercy come quickly to meet us, for we are in desperate need.  Help us, O God our Savior, for the glory of your name; deliver us and forgive our sins for your name’s sake.

What a great way to pray.  Not, “Help me, God beause I am in trouble”,  or “I am suffering”, or “I am in need.”  Help me God, because I am desperate, My Saviour, help me for your name’s sake.  The key is in vs. 13: Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture, will praise you forever; from generation to generation we will recount your praise.

When He heals us, helps us, provides for us, we must praise Him to others.