It’s happened to all Christians who pray. At least I think so. That “peace” that comes, often to some and occasionally to others, peace that a prayer has been “heard” and will be “answered!”

This assurance certainly is emphasized in today’s verse, today’s lesson.

In our continuing journey through Psalm 28.

David wrote:

“Blessed be the LORD, because He hath heard the voice of my supplications.”

The Lord has “heard!”

The verb used here is “shama,” in an “active” voice and “perfect” tense form. It means God has indeed heard but will keep hearing as well!

The “shama” verb is so strong that it’s occasionally (81 times in the Bible) translated “obey!” God obeying David? Meeting the King’s needs to that extent!

And the noun “supplications” is interesting. I would have thought it just meant “requests.” But really “tachanun” means more. It means “favorable, kind, gracious” things, that’s what David is petitioning of God! The root noun here is “chanan,” the key Old Testament word for “mercy!”

Wow!

Even when praying “against” the wicked, somehow in David’s godly mind his prayer was shrouded in thoughts of “kindness” for the people of God!

Prayer asked.

Then answered.

So what’s next?

An exclamation, “Blessed be the Lord!”

The verb “blessed” is “barak” in Hebrew, at heart meaning “to kneel!” David is “praising” God for His Goodness. Also here “barak” is a passive participle. God is being blessed by his people!

This is a verb of worship.

“Blessed be the LORD, because He hath heard the voice of my supplications.”

Really today we have learned God “hears” prayer … and can communicate the assurance that said prayer has been answered!

And we have learned that the most successful prayers are to be “set” in tones of “grace and mercy and kindness.”

Then we learned that prayer, especially when answered, should be an impetus for us to worship Almighty God! From Whom all blessings flow!

This has already been a good day!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell