1. The Help We Need Comes from God (vv. 1-7). Other people may lift up their hearts to idols (24:4), which are only manufactured substitutes for God, but David lifted his heart up to the Lord, for He is the only true source of encouragement. In one of the darkest hours of his life, when David had lost everything, he “encouraged himself in the Lord his God” (1 Sam. 30:6). It has well been said, “When the outlook is bleak, try the uplook.” He affirmed his faith in the Lord and his desire to glorify His name. He didn’t want to fail and bring disgrace to the name of the Lord. So, he waited on the Lord, worshipped, and confidently asked for His help. He desperately needed wisdom to make the right decisions, avoid the traps, and reach the goal.

David not only prayed for God’s guidance, but he asked for insight to understand the Word; for only there could he learn God’s ways and understand his own path. “Lead me in thy truth” reminds us that the Word and prayer always go together (1 Sam. 12:23; John 15:7). David is referring to God’s covenants with His people, the precepts and promises He gave them to keep them in His will so they could enjoy His blessing (v. 10; Deut. 27–30). David knew the history of Israel, that God had graciously helped them when they cried out to Him, and so he prayed with assurance and faith. But he also prayed with contrition, confessing his sins to the Lord (vv. 7, 11). He had regrets about some of his youthful omissions of obedience or commissions of sin, and he wanted forgiveness. He prayed “for thy goodness’ sake” (v. 7) and “for thy name’s sake” (v. 11; see 23:3; 31:3; 79:9; 106:8; 109:21; 143:11). “My help comes from the Lord who made heaven and earth” (121:2 nasb).