Psalm 59
The Message

A David Psalm.
When Saul Set a Watch on David’s House in Order to Kill Him

My God!  Rescue me from my enemies, defend me from these mutineers. Rescue me from their dirty tricks, save me from their hit men.  Desperadoes have ganged up on me, they’re hiding in ambush for me.  I did nothing to deserve this, God, crossed no one, wronged no one.  All the same, they’re after me, determined to get me.  Wake up and see for yourself!  You’re God, God-of-Angel-Armies, Israel’s God!  Get on the job and take care of these pagans, don’t be soft on these hard cases.  They return when the sun goes down, they howl like coyotes, ringing the city.  Then suddenly they’re all at the gate, snarling invective, drawn daggers in their teeth.  They think they’ll never get caught.  But you, God, break out laughing; you treat the godless nations like jokes.  Strong God, I’m watching you do It, I can always count on you.  God in dependable love shows up on time, shows me my enemies in ruin.  Don’t make quick work of them, God, lest my people forget.  Bring them down in slow motion, take them apart piece by piece.
Let all their mean-mouthed arrogance catch up with them, catch them out and bring them down — every muttered curse — every barefaced lie.  Finish them off in fine style!
Finish them off for good!  Then all the world will see that God rules well in Jacob, everywhere that God’s in charge.  They return when the sun goes down, they howl like coyotes, ringing the city.  They scavenge for bones, and bite the hand that feeds them.
And me?  I’m singing your prowess, shouting at cockcrow your largesse, for you’ve been a safe place for me, a good place to hide.  Strong God, I’m watching you do it, I can always count on you — God, my dependable love.

Matthew 6:7-13
The Message

The world is full of so-called prayer warriors who are prayer-ignorant. They’re full of formulas and programs and advice, peddling techniques for getting what you want from God.  Don’t fall for that nonsense.  This is your Father you are dealing with, and he knows better than you what you need.  With a God like this loving you, you can pray very simply.  Like this: Our Father in heaven, reveal who you are. Set the world right; do what’s best — as above, so below.  Keep us alive with three square meals.  Keep us forgiven with you and forgiving others.  Keep us safe from ourselves and the Devil.
You’re in charge!  You can do anything you want!  You’re ablaze in beauty!  Yes.  Yes.  Yes.