Contemplative Bible Reading

Psalms 64:1 (New International Version)

Hear me, O God, as I voice my complaint; protect my life from the threat of the enemy.

Several weeks ago I read the above verse in a Bible class. I read it again just this morning. I paraphrase this as God, listen to me complain.

What a request! How arrogant can the person praying be? Hey God, I have a beef with you and you had better listen!

As I wrote above, I read this a few weeks ago. I believe I only read the first verse of this Psalm and it stayed with me. Today as I read I continued through to the end of the Psalm. What stuck with me was the last verse.

Psalms 64:10 (New International Version)

Let the righteous rejoice in the LORD and take refuge in him; let all the upright in heart praise him!

What a change of words. Rejoice in the Lord…praise him!

That brought about such a change in the person praying and writing this Psalm? This Psalm speaks of taking refuge in the Lord. Let others – the subjects of my complaints – do what they may. As long as I take refuge in the Lord, as long as I always turn to Him as my Lord, I will be fine. I will praise Him and worship Him because I know that he will listen to my prayers – which sometimes come across as pretty strong complaints.

Thank you God for a listening hear, a tender heart, and a strong refuge.