Psalm 50:15 (ESV)

15 and call upon me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me.”

This verse begins with a strong appeal. Come on, call on God. Be assured that he likes to hear the voice of his people (Psalm 50:4 and Psalm 50:7). Call on the Most High from the distress of life. Go to the Mighty Helper and then know that he has the power and the will to save from misery. That is precisely what the Hebrew verb “halas” (צּﬥהּ) denotes. He who expects thus much from God is not ashamed (Psalm 25:3a). This is exactly what the Lord Jesus emphasizes in his prayer teaching: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you (Matthew 7:7). Wonderful to call on God in prayer from this promise.

As man’s response to God’s help, it is appropriate to honour this God. This honour immediately implies that God’s good commandments are taken into account.

The Heidelberg Catechism rightly begins in answer to the question, Why is prayer necessary for Christians? with Because prayer is the most important part of the thankfulness which God requires of us. And immediately adds, Moreover, God will give his grace and the Holy Spirit only to those who constantly and with heartfelt longing ask him for these gifts and thank him for them (Heidelberg Catechism, q/a 116). It is also beautiful that the Westminster Larger Confession has as its first question: What is the chief and highest end of man? and then answers, Man’s chief and highest end is to glorify God, and fully to enjoy him forever. This is exactly in line with this verse!