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I. THE POOR MAN'S POVERTY. "This poor man."

1. It was not the poverty of social dependence. David, the writer of this Psalm, was a king; governed a great nation; ruled a people of noble history; had vast resources; had numerous friends — therefore the designation of the text cannot refer to his temporal position. The fact is that our social position is no index to our real wealth or poverty. A man financially rich, may be morally poor. A man morally rich, may be financially poor.

2. It was not the poverty of intellectual weakness. David was not poor in mind. Not merely was he a king in position, but also in the empire of thought. His mind contained great ideas of God, of the soul, of life as a probation, of the future as a destiny. The lack of mental thought and energy is no aid to prayer. Converse with God requires great ideas. The language of want is simple; but it is full of meaning. Hence David was not poor in this respect.

3. It was not the poverty of spiritual indolence. David was not a moral pauper. He had not only a great soul, but it was well peopled with all that was noble and true. Faith in God was the governing influence of his soul. He loved the house of God. He delighted in the works of God. He was attached to the people of God. His religious experience was rich. His devotion was poetic. His soul was ever occupied with eternal realities. He was not poor in this respect.

4. It was the poverty of deep and true humility. He says, "My soul shall make her boast in the Lord" (ver. 2). The humble soul is always poor in faith, in spiritual aspiration, in moral service, in benevolent dispositions, in its own estimation. Herein consists His benediction — "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the Kingdom of God." The poverty of humility is not assumed, it is not canting, it is not self-depreciative; but it is silent, it is reverent.

II. THE POOR MAN'S PRAYER. "This poor man cried." Humiliation is a good preparation for prayer. It most feels the need of devotion. It is the most easily taught the meaning of worship. It is the most persevering in its exercise.

1. The poor man's prayer was emphatic. It was a cry. David knew what he wanted. He was decided and vigorous in the articulation of his soul-wants. God allows in prayer the required emphasis of a needy but penitent spirit. It is not presumption.

2. The poor man's prayer was earnest. It was a cry. Not a cold request. Not a calm inquiry. The more a man feels his need, the more deeply does He express it.

3. The poor man's prayer was continuous. It was the habit of his soul rather than a transient act. Prayer should not be a momentary effort of the Christian life, but the natural communion of the soul with God, as speech is the easy and constant medium of communication with men.

4. The poor man's prayer was thoughtful and reasonable. It was presented to the rightful object of devotion, in a thoughtful spirit. David did not doubt the fitness of prayer to save from trouble —

(1)  Personal.

(2)  Domestic.

(3)  Commercial.

(4)  National. Are the sceptics of our day wiser, better, happier than he?

5. The poor man's prayer was successful.

III. THE POOR MAN'S PRESERVATION. "And the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his trouble."

1. His preservation was associated with prayer. "And the Lord heard him."

2. His preservation was secured by Divine agency.

3. His preservation was comprehensive and effectual. "And saved him out of all his trouble."Learn:

1. Humility is the best qualification for prayer, and the most likely guarantee of favourable response.

2. That God is the helper of troubled souls.

3. That men in the highest stations of life need prayer.

(J. S. Exell, M. A.)

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KJV: This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.

WEB: This poor man cried, and Yahweh heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.