The Psalms are a school for prayer and David is the teacher in the Psalms we are reading currently. He offers model prayers and practical instructions we can learn from.

David wanted a relationship with God; that was the drive behind all of his Psalms. When he had problems, he brought them to God because God was the one who could help him. When he was needy, he went to God because every good thing came from God. When hefelt blessed, he thanked God because the Lord was the fount of every blessing.

In David’s mind everything in life led back to God.

Calling On God

The first line in each of the six Psalms we read today addresses God by name. Psalms 61, 64 and 65 speak directly to the Lord, and just look at the bold opening statements David uses.

“Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.” Psalm 61:1

“Hear me, my God, as I voice my complaint; protect my life from the threat of the enemy.” Psalm 64:1

These words sound demanding. Hear me! Listen to me! Hear me as I voice my complaint!

Are you this bold when you pray?

Most of us use a softer approach when we start our prayers. We open with salutations like, “Dear Lord,” and “Dear Heavenly Father,” but David didn’t bother with that kind of polite, phraseology. He addressed the King of the Universe with vigor. He believed that speaking to God required a direct approach. David would be amazed out how sheepish many of us are when we pray.

In Psalm 65 David speaks to God about how worthy he is.

“Praise awaits you, our God, in Zion; to you our vows will be fulfilled.” Psalm 65:1

Why is God worthy of praise? Because he answers the prayers of all who come to him. He forgives people who are overwhelmed with sins. He invites people into his house, his holy temple, where he fills their souls with good things.

Before David began this prayer, he contemplated how wonderful God was. Then when he spoke, his words were filled with wonder and joy.

Imagery in Prayer

David loved to create word pictures in prayer. He drew from his life experience to describe what God meant to him and the metaphors David used in prayer matched the times in which he lived. He was familiar with strong towers, rocks, tents, fortresses and walls. He saw birds shelter their young under their wings. Flying arrows and spears surrounded David when war broke out. He used these images to express his heart when he talked to God.

And these metaphors still work today. We can imagine hiding in a cave made of rocks, or running to a strong tower for refuge. We can even relate to the tender image of a baby bird hidden beneath her mother’s wings. But most of us don’t have first-hand experience with these things.

What images can you draw upon from your own life when you pray? What gives you comfort or makes you feel secure? What drives you to prayer?

Most of us have a place we like to escape to for some quiet relaxation. David loved his cave in the rock, but maybe you are most comfortable in your home. My husband and I love to visit our local library, but we have friends who would rather take a hike outdoors. Whatever your favorite place is, you can use it as a metaphor for your time with God.

What does it feel like when things are going wrong in your life? David talked about things like falling into a slimy pit or feeling like he was drowning. What would your metaphor be? You can borrow images from David when you pray, or you can create your own.

God is in Everything

If you take a highlighter and mark every place there is a direct reference to God in David’s Psalms, you will discover the Lord is the subject of every one of them. No matter what’s on David’s heart as he writes out these prayers, he finds answers in his relationship with God.

When David needed help he cried out to God. When he was in despair he told God about it. When he was angry he looked to God to solve the problem. When he was in awe he gave God the glory. When he was blessed he thanked God.

David preserved these Psalms and gave them to Israel so they could worship God together. And God was so pleased with these words that he preserved them in the Scriptures for us to use when we pray. The Lord wanted us to enroll in the same school for prayer David experienced, the one he passed on to Israel.

Write Your Own Psalms

You can make Psalms of your own. Take the concepts you read in David’s Psalms and write out your own prayers to God, using word pictures from your own life. for instance, how would you translate . . .

“Truly my soul finds rest in God; my salvation comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken.” Psalm 62:1

Write this verse out by hand and substitute your own words for “rock” and “fortress.” Where do you find rest? Where do you feel safe? Read the verse back to yourself and emphasize the words you put in place of David’s words. See if that doesn’t make the verse come alive for you.

David became a Psalmist because of his personal relationship with God. You can be a Psalmist, too.