6 I call on you, my God, for you will answer me;
turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
7 Show me the wonders of your great love,
you who save by your right hand
those who take refuge in you from their foes.
8 Keep me as the apple of your eye;
hide me in the shadow of your wings
9 from the wicked who are out to destroy me,
from my mortal enemies who surround me.
10 They close up their callous hearts,
and their mouths speak with arrogance.
11 They have tracked me down, they now surround me,
with eyes alert, to throw me to the ground.
12 They are like a lion hungry for prey,
like a fierce lion crouching in cover.
13 Rise up, Lord, confront them, bring them down;
with your sword rescue me from the wicked.
14 By your hand save me from such people, Lord,
from those of this world whose reward is in this life.
May what you have stored up for the wicked fill their bellies;
may their children gorge themselves on it,
and may there be leftovers for their little ones.
15 As for me, I will be vindicated and will see your face;
when I awake, I will be satisfied with seeing your likeness. NIV
The request in verse 6 may sound simple, but why might it actually be incredibly important to our faith in God?
What specific requests does the writer list in verses 7-9?
According to the writer, what kinds of enemies have "tracked" him down?
Are you comfortable with the writer asking God to use a "sword" to rescue him from wicked people? Why or why not?
Verse 14 is quite descriptive. What does this imagery mean?
Compare verse 1 of this psalm with verse 15.
This psalm seems to be a prayer spoken just before going to sleep (see verse 15: "When I awake…"). How does the writer expect tomorrow will be different than today?
What does "seeing your likeness mean"?
::::: Equipping Challenge :::::
Pay attention to how the rest of this day goes for you. Note the challenges and victories that occur throughout the day… and the Lord's presence (or perhaps even what might appear to be the Lord's absence) in each circumstance. Then, tonight, as you go to bed, trust each of these things to the Lord and ask God to let you wake up with a renewed spirit (in God's likeness).