Psalm 31: for meditation (verses 1-7)

"for the sake of your name
lead and guide me."

Not for my own good, or so I suffer less, or so I am happy, or successful, or prosperous, but for the SAKE of your name. Not so I can be proud, or perform miracles, or teach men, but for the sake of YOUR name. Not so I can write books, or attain anything that will burn away in your holy fire, but for the sake of your NAME.

"Free me from the trap that is set for me"

There IS a trap set for me! I am not safe when I walk. I am not like a man who walks in the comfort of his home. I walk like a stranger. Traps and snares are set before me, and my eyes are blind to them. Free me Lord! The traps set before me are perilous. Free me, for I cannot free myself. Do not let me think that there is no trap set before me. Help me tread free from the trap set before me.

"redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth"

Redeem me, for I am in need of redemption! I am nothing without you, and only you can redeem me. Only the truth of your holiness, and my depravity, allows me to be redeemed by you. You are the perfect example I strive to be. God can redeem me, and God alone. God, only you can redeem me, for only you will know every sin of my heart. Only you will know the lowliness of this man; the depths to which I have stooped. Only you know the cost of redeeming your unworthy servant.

"I will be glad and rejoice in your love,
for you saw my affliction
and knew the anguish of my soul"

Oh Lord, how great is the anguish of my soul! I can rejoice because you have seen me, for I am at my worst, and you still chose me. My soul will anguish always, for it longs to be sanctified. How I long to reflect the holiness of my Creator. How I am afflicted by my flesh! My soul longs for a new body, that can praise you without sinning against you. Oh the anguish of being trapped still. But O Lord, The Bliss of rejoicing in your love. The great joy of knowing peace and at home my soul will be soon. Oh the shouts of rejoice at the news: I no longer stand condemned for my life, though it be deserving of nothing but death.