Hear me, Lord, my plea is just; listen to my cry. Hear my prayer— it does not rise from deceitful lips. Let my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right. Though you probe my heart, though you examine me at night and test me, you will find that I have planned no evil; my mouth has not transgressed. Though people tried to bribe me, I have kept myself from the ways of the violent through what your lips have commanded. My steps have held to your paths; my feet have not stumbled. I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer. Show me the wonders of your great love, you who save by your right hand those who take refuge in you from their foes. Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who are out to destroy me, from my mortal enemies who surround me.

Hearing someone is a multifaceted process. Just hearing their voice or their shout may not mean you understand what they are saying. They could be speaking a different language or mumbling, or too far away to understand above the noises around you. Hearing them closer, one might then understand what they are saying, but not what they mean. Once we understand what they mean, we still may not understand all of their heart-level intent or concerns.

When we approach a ruler, like a king or judge or magistrate of some sort, we can also request a hearing. The ruler then listens to a case to determine what the situation is and tries to understand how to remedy it. He or she listens within the filter of what is lawful and what is not.

David’s request for God to hear him is not limited by any legal structure or inability to hear or understand. God knows all, sees all, understands all. He is crying out to God in all his roles: King and Ruler of the universe, Father over all his children, a Good Shepherd who guides us to peaceful waters and good provisions, and a Friend who walks with us.

David cries out: “O God hear me! My words do not come from a lying tongue or a heart full of malice or sin. I have followed you and repented of my sins and kept myself pure, though tempted.”

And his call is not for great wealth, victories in battle, or power or a great reputation. Instead, what he wants is simple: he wants to know the love of God and he wants to be protected from his enemies. When we boil down what truly matters to us in life, it is really this simple: to be loved and to be safe.

It reminds me of this wonderful passage in Hebrews, that drives to simplify my walk with God: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us THROW OFF EVERYTHING THAT HINDERS and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭2‬)

Lord, today I ask that you free my mind from the things that weigh on it, that are not in line with your call on my life. I call out to you for love, safety, and my daily needs. Guide me in your ways and teach me the wonders of your truth. Protect me as I serve you, and yes, hide me, when enemies attack, under the shelter of your wings!