I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. (Psalm 34:4)

Once again, praise precedes petition:

I will bless the LORD at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth. My soul will make its boast in the LORD; the humble will hear it and rejoice. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt His name together. (vss. 1-3)

In fact, David encourages those with him to bless the Lord first.

Now comes the personal request: I sought the LORD and he answered me, He delivered me from all my fears.

The Hebrew word for sought is defined as to seek with care, inquire, consult; and there is an aspect of worship within this word. When we bring our petitions to Him, is it part of worship, or is it playing back a list?

Some of the definitions for answered in Hebrew are to answer, respond, testify, speak and shout. How much does God want to answer your prayers? Is He joyous, would He shout the answer? Should we not shout when He answers our prayers?

There is urgency in He delivered me—to snatch away, to tear away, to plunder, to pluck; also to rescue and save. He knows our need, and that it is desperate.

He delivered me from all my fear, terror, and dread (translations of the Hebrew word for fear). What is it that causes you fear or terror? Can you take it to the LORD? We have seen that He will hear—and answer. Don’t let your fear keep you silent.

When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. (Psalm 32:3-4)

But when I was silent and still, not even saying anything good, my anguish increased. My heart grew hot within me, and as I meditated, the fire burned; then I spoke with my tongue: “Show me, O LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man’s life is but a breath. (Psalm 39:2-5)

But if I say, “I will not remember Him or speak anymore in His name,” then in my heart it becomes like a burning fire shut up in my bones; and I am weary of holding it in, and I cannot endure it. (Jeremiah 20:9)

Don’t let your sins get in the way seeking the LORD. Or in the way of your deliverance:

Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the LORD.”  And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

Interlude

Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment. (Psalm 32:5-6)