By requiring prayer, God maintains His authority over us and
Yet, as far as expressing the devout affections of the heart in words helps to focus our thoughts and stir up our desires, it is good to draw near to God not only with a pure heart but also with a humble voice. As Hosea puts it, we must "render the calves of our lips."
Nonetheless, God understands the language of the heart, and it is in this language that we must speak to Him. David prays here in verse 1, not only Give ear to my words but also Consider my meditation. Similarly, he prays in Psalm 19:14: Let the words of my mouth, proceeding from the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight.
Therefore, in every prayer, we must speak to God—we must "write" to Him, as it were. Just as we say we have heard from a friend when they send us a letter, we must ensure that God hears from us daily.
a. God Expects and Requires It
Though God has no need of us or our services, and cannot be benefited by them, He requires us to offer the sacrifice of prayer and praise continually.
1. To Maintain His Authority and Our Dependence on Him By requiring prayer, God maintains His authority over us and reminds us of our constant dependence on Him—something we are prone to forget. Through prayer, we pay homage to Him and honour His name. By repeatedly performing this act, we strengthen our sense of obligation to observe His statutes and obey His laws. This act of worship also fosters a humble attitude, making it easier for us to submit to His will. As the psalmist