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Verse 2:  "The Lord reigns forever; he has established his throne for judgment.  He rules the world in righteousness and judges the peoples with equity.  The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.  Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.  Sing the praises of the Lord, enthroned in Zion; proclaim among the nations what he has done.  For he who avenges blood remembers; he does not ignore the cries of the afflicted."

Verse 3:  "Lord, see how my enemies persecute me! Have mercy and lift me up from the gates of death, that I may declare your praises in the gates of Daughter Zion, and there rejoice in your salvation.  The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden. The Lord is known by his acts of justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands.  The wicked go down to the realm of the dead, all the nations that forget God.  But God will never forget the needy; the hope of the afflicted will never perish."

Verse 4 (chorus, perhaps):  "Arise, Lord, do not let mortals triumph; let the nations be judged in your presence.  Strike them with terror, Lord; let the nations know they are only mortal."

David begins this Psalm by giving thanks to the Lord.  He then exclaims that he will be a witness of the blessings that have been bestowed upon him.  With a spirit of joy and gladness he will sing praises to God.  This is the attitude that we ought to exude as we pray to the Lord.  Be thankful.  Be joyful.  As we remember the blessings that God has already provided our faith will increase.

In verse two, David recalls attributes of God as frontal lobe (thinking) exercise.  This verse reads like a list of God's qualities:  The Lord reigns forever.  The Lord is righteous and just.  The Lord helps the oppressed and the afflicted.  Like David, it is helpful for us to recount the attributes of God as we come face-to-face with Him in prayer.  God is omniscienent.  God is omnipotent.  God is omnipresent.  God is all knowing.  God is all powerful.  God is everywhere. 

By verse three, David turns to the current issue(s) at hand.  See Lord, he cries out, "see how my enemies persecute me."  David seeks God's mercy in whatever crisis he faces.  David understands the nature and character of God.  He knows that his hope lies in the loving and just hand of God.  After presenting his need to God, David expresses his faith in trust:  The wicked go down.  God never forgets the needy.  If our faith is in God, "our hope will never perish."

While I have little musical knowledge and zero talent, I like to think of verse four as the chorus to David's song.  I would love to have heard David and his court sing, "Arise, Lord, do not let mortals triump;  let the nations be judged in your presence.  Strike them with terror, Lord!  Let the nations know they are only mortals.

In our country at this time there is much political and cultural strife.  At times we can be overwhelmed by the news and the (apparent) hopelessness of the situation.  At such times we ought to remember David's Psalm - as a song and a prayer.  Thank the Lord for our many blessings.  Express those thoughts as a witness to others.  Recall the attributes of God as a mental (thinking) exercise.  Then express todays needs to the Lord - believing in faith that He will address your concerns!  Arise Lord!  Evil will not prevail.  You are our HOPE and You do not fail!

You have set your glory in the heavens. Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.  When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?

You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor.  You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.

Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!"

The heavens, the earth, and all of creation attest to the glory and power of God.  The Bible explains that, as humans, we are created in the image of God.  God loves us and is mindful of everything that we experience.  God's Word informs us that God has made us stewards of His creation.  We are stewards of the flocks, herds, birds, all plants and animals of the earth. 

Moreover, we are called to give praise and worship and honor to God.  We are called to testify to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  And we are called to love our neighbor, as ourselves.  Just as the earth declares the glory of God, so too should we.  Glory to God!  How majestic is Your name in all the earth!  Amen.