Psalms 119:145 - Meaning and Application

Here we have David’s good prayers, by which he sought mercy from God. He mentions them here not to boast or to trust in any merit in them, but to look back with comfort on the right path he had taken to find comfort. We should notice, first, that he was inward with God in prayer. He prayed from the heart, and prayer is accepted only as far as the heart truly joins in. If the lips do all the work, the effort is wasted.

Second, he was urgent in prayer. He cried out like someone deeply serious, with strong feeling and holy intensity. He cried with his whole heart. Every power of his soul was engaged and stretched to the fullest in prayer. We are more likely to receive help when we wrestle in prayer like that. Third, he directed his prayer to God: “I cried to you.” Where should a child go but to a father when anything is wrong?

Fourth, the main thing he asked for was salvation: “Save me.” It was a short prayer, for we are wrong if we think God hears us because of many words, but it was also a full prayer. He was asking, “Do more than rescue me from trouble, make me truly happy.” We need desire nothing more than God’s salvation (Psalm 50:23) and the blessings that come with it (Hebrews 6:9). Fifth, he longed for an answer. He did not only look up while praying, but also looked up afterward to see what would come of his prayer (Psalm 5:3). He was saying, “Lord, hear me, and let me know that you have heard me.”

Here we also see David’s good purpose, by which he bound himself to duty while seeking mercy. “I will keep your statutes, by your grace I am resolved to do it.” If we turn away our ear from hearing the law, we cannot expect God to answer our prayers with peace (Proverbs 28:9). He uses this purpose as a humble plea in verse 146: “Save me from my sins, my corrupt desires, my temptations, and all the hindrances in my way, so that I may keep your testimonies.” We should cry out for salvation not just so we can have its ease and comfort, but so we can serve God more freely and gladly.