Psalm 119:170 – Before You

Let my plea come before you.
Save me according to your word.

This sounds very similar to verse 169 and is closely related. My meditations, however, took a different turn.

In Jeremiah 37:17-21, we have the story of Jeremiah being called to Zedekiah secretly. Jeremiah is confined in a dungeon in the house of Jonathan the Scribe, but nonetheless the king wants to know if there is a word from the Lord. Jeremiah tells the king that he, Zedekiah, will fall into the hands of the king of Babylon.

At the end of their conversation, Jeremiah asks that his plea, using the same word for plea used in Psalm 119:170, come before King Zedekiah. This story illuminates the language, because Jeremiah is right in front of Zedekiah when he asks this. What he is asking for is that his plea be given a favorable hearing.

I can turn now to the New Testament, Revelation 8:3-5:

And another angel came and stood on the altar. He had a golden censer, and he was given lots of incense, so that he could offer it with the prayers of the saints on the golden altar which was before the throne, And the smoke from he incense arose with the prayers of the saints from the hand of the angel before God. And the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it into the earth, and there were roars of thunder, and voices and lightning flashes and an earthquake.

Revelation 8:3-5, my translation

Here we have a divine answer to this standard plea. The prayers or pleas are not only coming up before God, but are combined with the incense of heavenly worship before God.

Our plea is heard, according to God’s’ word.

What is your plea today?