A prayer for pardon and deliverance so praise may be given.

1–4 Lament
5–8 Prayer for forgiveness
9–11 Prayer for help
12–13 Desire to praise

• The historical context vv. 1–3 refers to is Jerusalem’s destruction by the Babylonians in 586 b.c. (cf. 2 Kings 25).
• Note the reason the psalmist desired God’s forgiveness and help (v. 9). Is that your reason when you pray for such?