Praise of God's righteous judgement weaves a common thread between Psalms 7 and 9. God saves the righteous, and those who champion His cause find comfort in this (Psalm 9:9-10). In Psalm 7, David leans heavily on this characteristic of God in a request to be delivered from his enemies. David comes to God in this psalm with a clear conscience even going so far as to call judgement upon himself “if I have repaid my friend with evil or plundered my enemy without cause” (Psalm 7:4, ESV). Let us ask ourselves if we also could so confidently extol the righteous judgement of God. I believe David prayed so powerfully partly because he continually repented and kept his conduct honorable before God and people. As a result, he could genuinely appeal to the righteous judgement of God. If we also live for the Lord, then we can more genuinely and effectively “give to the Lord the thanks due to his righteousness” and “sing praise to the name of the Lord, the Most High” (Psalm 7:17, ESV).

In Psalm 8, a song of praise of the majesty of God’s creation, David ponders how the God of a vast, magnificent universe would bother to extend his care to humankind. However, this humble reflection did not hinder David’s trust that God does work out His plan for righteousness and does pay attention – even to those whom the world neglects. “For the needy shall not always be forgotten, and the hope of the poor shall not perish forever” (Psalm 9:18, ESV). Likewise, in Genesis 32, Jacob recognizes his humble standing before the Most High, yet he still entreats the Lord for salvation, appealing to God’s promise to him. “You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek you” (Psalm 9:10, ESV). How comforting to know that we serve a God who is both infinitely powerful and compassionately attentive to all His followers. Let us truly be His followers, so that we can draw closer and more genuinely to Him in prayer.