5 O Lord, you alone are my hope.
I’ve trusted you, O Lord, from childhood.
6 Yes, you have been with me from birth;
from my mother’s womb you have cared for me.
No wonder I am always praising you!
7 My life is an example to many,
because you have been my strength and protection.
8 That is why I can never stop praising you;
I declare your glory all day long.
9 And now, in my old age, don’t set me aside.
Don’t abandon me when my strength is failing.
10 For my enemies are whispering against me.
They are plotting together to kill me.
11 They say, “God has abandoned him.
Let’s go and get him,
for no one will help him now.” NLT
Read verses 5-6. What is the testimony of the writer of this psalm?
How does a pattern of trusting God in our life lead us to a pattern of praise?
Is verse 7 true of you? Why or why not?
How does verse 8 emerge out of the practice of verse 7?
Considering how positive the last several verses have been, how are verses 9-11 a bit of a shock?
::::: EQUIPPING CHALLENGE :::::
Can verses 5-8 and verses 9-11 be true at the same time? How does the writer of this psalm hold this tension together? Take some time to respond to this question in prayer.