The Cry of My Heart

The Brooklyn Tabernacle’s version of “I love the Lord, He heard my Cry” lyrics read as follows: 

“I love the the Lord, he heard my cry And pitied every groan, long as I, I live And troubles rise, I hasten to his throne

I’ll hasten, I’ll hasten to his throne Yes I will, I’ll run I know I can go to his throne I know I can go, I know I can go I’ll hasten, I’m gonna run”

In reading the lyrics of this song I think of the writings of David in the book of Psalms. David (meaning well beloved) wrote at least 77 of the 150 Psalms, mostly birthed from his own self-inflicted problems. The book of Psalms is composed of several key ideas such as; the recognition and kingship (sovereignty) of God, the conduct and destiny of the righteous and wicked, God’s comfort and defence in times of crisis, the importance of praise in all its variations and finally the role of nature and creation.

I want to hone in on the importance of praise in times of unfavourable seasons and the posture of our heart in the process. Though David had many opportunities to make wise choices and rebuke his flesh concerning instant gratification in the areas of lust, ego and power; he was still found to be “a man after God’s own heart” - 1 Samuel 16: 7. 

The Psalms provide evidence of David’s heart by acts of worship in order to glorify God. David understood what it meant to go before God (enter into his presence without distraction) and present worship/praise either by voice (declaration or signing), instrument, dance, and by vulnerability of heart (humbleness). In accordance with Psalm 27:4, David confessed that the one thing that he will seek far above all else is “that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.”

He earlier proclaims in Psalms 16: 11 that “in your presence there is fulness of joy, in your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” David faced many trials and tribulations; however, none of those circumstances deterred him from a personal relationship with the Father. The story of David and the Psalms teach us to delight in God, draw near to God and to make room for God to minister to us so that He can speak, correct, and refine us.

In Psalms 73: 25, we see evidence of David hastening (urgently running toward) the Lord after he had been plagued and punished every morning by his enemies. David poured out his heart to God saying the wicked are carefree and selfish thinking only of themselves while trampling on those in their way. David further exclaims that he had kept his heart pure in vain despite the malice and arrogance he faced and the threats of oppression. This is the part I appreciate the most in this chapter. David confessed that he even became bitter and acted like a brute beast, exposing his wrong doing and exposed his faults as a means to make way for correction. At the end of the chapter he declares, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And each has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever…… (vs.28) I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge, I will tell (testify) of all your deeds”.  

it is evident that the Lord heard the cry of David’s heart, saw the posture of his heart every time he entered into the presence of the Lord, and saw David’s hunger to gain wisdom, knowledge and understanding each time he was rebuked, corrected or found vulnerable in the presence of the Lord. It is David’s life story that brings reasonable application in how we should conduct ourselves and desire desperately to live by the same model. David’s life is not an excuse to live by worldly standards, but rather to strive for righteousness and to be found before the Lord as chasers of an intimate relationship with Abba Father. 

David is found to be loving according to Psalm 18:1; 

David is found to be humble according to Psalms 62:9; 

David is found to be reverent according to Psalm 18:3; 

David is found to be respectful according to Psalm 31:9; 

David is found to be trusting according to Psalm 27:1; 

David is found to be repentant according to Psalm 25:11. 

Will you run today toward the throne of God despite what you face even if it is not by your hand (your own choices). Will you run to the throne of God to seek wisdom and understanding as you worship in Spirit and in Truth, even if your enemies are chasing you, slandering you, plaguing you? Will you run to the throne of God to declare victory over your circumstance even if you have yet to see the manifestation? Will you seek the Cornerstone, so that you may take refuge until you can overcome and testify about your season? In spite of all that is against you will you recall, “I am for you” (Isaiah 41:10). 

Let us be reminded that just as David had access to the Father despite his blemished life and disobedience at times, our God is unchanging. The same God from yesterday, is the same today, and will be the same tomorrow and forevermore. We have the exact same access that David had! “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations”. Psalms 100:4-5