A Psalm of David. A prayer. A penitential psalm.
v.1-2 David’s plea to the Lord to hear his prayer. He acknowledges that no one is righteous before God (see Rom 3:23).
v.3-4 His spirit faints and his heart is appalled at how the enemy has pursued his soul and crushed him to the ground.
v.5-6 David’s soul thirsts for the Lord and he meditates on all he has done (in history and creation). Selah.
v.7-8 Here the psalmist asks for God’s guidance and a quick answer to his prayer.
v.9-10 David pleas to the Lord for refuge from enemies. He prays that God would teach him to do his will (and lead him).
v.11-12 A last plea for deliverance from trouble and a statement of confidence in the Lord.
David is devoted to the Lord and looks to him for deliverance from enemies. He asks God to teach him to do his will and lead him on level ground. We should do the same. David acknowledges his sin before God (v.2). Once again, we should do the same. When we confess, and forsake, our sin, we are then able to get back in step with God.