What is the meaning of Psalm 141:1? A Psalm of David • The heading is part of the inspired text, identifying the writer as Israel’s shepherd-king. The same superscription appears in other prayers of deliverance, such as “A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom” (Psalm 3:1). • By naming David, the Spirit roots the psalm in real history (2 Samuel 22 parallels many of his songs) and reminds us that God’s faithfulness spans a lifetime—pastures, caves, thrones alike. • Acts 4:25 affirms that David spoke “by the Holy Spirit,” so every line that follows carries divine authority and reliability. • David’s example encourages us: “In my distress I called upon the LORD…He heard my voice” (Psalm 18:6). The God who answered him still answers today (Hebrews 13:8). I call upon You, O LORD • David’s first move is prayer, not self-reliance. “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears” (Psalm 34:17). • The personal name “LORD” (Yahweh) highlights covenant relationship; David knows exactly whom he is addressing, just as believers “call on the name of the Lord” for salvation (Romans 10:13). • Calling implies faith: “‘Call to Me and I will answer you’” (Jeremiah 33:3). It also implies humility—David is king, yet he bows before the King of kings. • When trouble presses, we follow the same pattern: “I call to God Most High, to God who fulfills His purpose for me” (Psalm 57:2). come quickly to me • The plea is urgent. David does not merely hope God will act; he asks Him to act now. “Make haste, O God, to deliver me! Hurry, O LORD, to help me!” (Psalm 70:1). • Urgency is not impatience but confidence that God is able: “I tell you, He will promptly carry out justice for them” (Luke 18:8). • Such cries invite us to approach “the throne of grace…to find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). • God’s swift intervention in previous trials fuels trust for the present one (Psalm 22:19; 38:22). Hear my voice when I call to You • David expects to be heard. “Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness” (Psalm 4:1). • Hearing in Scripture is more than passive listening; it implies action. “The LORD hears and delivers them from all their troubles” (Psalm 34:17). • New-covenant believers share the same assurance: “If we ask anything according to His will, He hears us” (1 John 5:14). • Notice the repetition of “call.” Persistence is commended throughout Scripture—“I have called on You, for You will answer me” (Psalm 17:6). summary David teaches us to run first and fast to the Lord. The heading grounds the prayer in real, Spirit-inspired history; the opening cry models personal, covenantal faith; the urgent “come quickly” shows confident dependence; the request to be heard rests on God’s sure promise to listen and act. In every season, we can echo this verse—calling, pleading, and trusting the God who always hears His people. |
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