Psalm 54:2

EXPOSITION

Verse 2. Hear my prayer, O God. This has ever been the defence of saints. As long as God hath an open ear we cannot be shut up in trouble. All other weapons may be useless, but all prayer is evermore available. No enemy can spike this gun.

Give ear to the words of my mouth. Vocal prayer helps the supplicant, and we keep our minds more fully awake when we can use our tongues as well as our hearts. But what is prayer if God hear not? It is all one whether we babble nonsense or plead arguments if our God grant us not a hearing. When his case had become dangerous, David could not afford to pray out of mere custom, he must succeed in his pleadings, or become the prey of his adversary.

EXPLANATORY NOTES AND QUAINT SAYINGS

Verse 2. (second clause). Let the words of my mouth with which I have defended my cause, be pleasing and acceptable to thee. For in this way can prayers and words of the mouth be correctly distinguished, unless any one should wish simply to understand by them prayers uttered by the mouth; but, as I have said, the phrase is more emphatic. Hermann Venema, 1697-1787.

HINTS FOR PASTORS AND LAYPERSONS

Verse 2. Our main concern in prayer.

1. What is meant by God's hearing prayer.
   
2. How we may know that he has done so.
   
3. What is to be done when this is doubtful.
   
4. What is due to him when the hearing is given.