Saving Faithfulness

  1. I had switched doing the Psalms readings to NKJV because I have memorized about a third of the Psalms, and I memorize them in the NKJV. However, there is a verse in Psalm 69 that I have memorized in the ESV, and I really like that translation of it.
  2. I did used to read only one translation. I read the NASB for 20 years because I was told it was the most accurate. In more recent years, I’ve been reading through the Bible each year in a different translation. Though, in doing that, I definitely have found I like some more than others. I have really enjoyed the New King James and the New Living Translation, and I have ended up using the ESV for most of my teaching material. I have also enjoyed the Berean Standard Bible and use it often in quoting because it’s simple while still being an accurate translation, and it shortens many sentences so that individual verses are often starting as a new sentence and not just part of a very long string of words. That makes it easy for me to grab those for quotes for the many things I write.
  3. All that to say, here’s verse 13 in the ESV. “But as for me, my prayer is to you, O Lord. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.
  4. It’s saying, “When the time is right, move in your mercy and save me, for you are a faithful God. I can trust you to come through.”
  5. Like so many of the songs in the book of Psalms, this psalm is full of trouble. He is pained and attacked. The troubles are overwhelming him. He feels like he’s about to drown in them.
  6. When he’s feeling that way, he’s looking at himself and his problems. And what’s the way out of the muck and mire of self-pity?
  7. Look to Jesus. See your salvation!
  8. David turns his eyes and suddenly the psalm is full of praise. He praises God with a song and with thanksgiving. His heart is revived and glad because He sought God. He knows his need is the very thing that God is eager to see and care for.
  9. God moves on behalf of His children. We can praise Him and come into our inheritance.