Psalm 35:18
“I will give You thanks in the great assembly; I will praise You among many people.”
Psalm 35 is a prayer for God’s deliverance. King David prays that God will fight his enemies and grant him justice. David pleads for God to act without any more delay (Psalm 35:17), but then he suddenly switches direction and promises to praise God (Psalm 35:18).
You’ve probably heard of the term anticipatory bail, where someone applies for bail expecting that they’ll be arrested soon. Today’s verse is, in contrast, a statement of anticipatory praise! David expects God to rescue him from those who are troubling him, so he promises to praise God in the assembly of people.
We’re often quick to cry out to God for help, but rarely do we praise Him in anticipation of answered prayers. Even when God answers our prayers and we experience His deliverance, we hardly take time to testify about it in the presence of others.
While we should praise God personally, we should also make it a habit to recount His goodness to others. Whether it is to a friend, neighbor, colleague, in a prayer group, or among family members, take time to testify what the Lord has done for you.
If you’re going through a season of suffering, cry out for God’s deliverance like David. But also look ahead in faith and praise God in anticipation of the good results He will bring through your trials (Romans 8:28). Let it be a declaration of how much you trust the Lord to deliver you and grant you peace.
