Praying the Psalms with Luther

READ: Ezekiel 35 Psalm 86 Hebrews 7:11-28

The 86th Psalm is a Psalm of prayer. The title of it is “A Prayer of David.” It is easy to understand in this manner. In his distress, David calls on God against his enemies who seek to put him to death, whether it is Saul, Absalom, or whomever else seeks to destroy him. But we notice how richly and masterfully David praises God for His goodness, faithfulness, and power, that he may truly excite his own faith and bring warmth to his prayer, as we should also be excited when we pray.

PRAY: O Lord Almighty, You alone are God, and besides You there is none other. Heaven is Your throne and the earth Your footstool. But seated on high You look upon the poor and lowly. Remember that we are dust and without You we can do nothing, and be Yourself our help and daily support. Remove the guilt our sin from us, and save us from the hand of our enemies, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.