Psalms 34
A Cry for Help
Words in italics written by Gary Piper
"Scriptures quoted from The Holy Bible, New Century Version, copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Word Publishing, Dallas, Texas 75039. Used by permission."
“I will praise the Lord at all times; his praise is always on my lips. My whole being praises the Lord. The poor will hear and be glad. Glorify the Lord with me, and let us praise his name together.” (Psalms 34:1-3)
In 1983 I underwent surgery to replace my damaged right and left hips. Since then both of them have been replaced another 3 times, I’ve had bone grafting done on both of them and in 2008 I had re-construction surgery on my right hip. I have since that fateful day in 1983 every step I have taken I’ve given glory to God.
My praise has not only been on my lips but on my hips as well. There are times when I wish I could say each step has been pain free but to the glory of God they have not. Over the years I have come to see that each painful step is not only a constant reminder of my need for God but for what God has done for me as well. Not only that but each painful step is a constant reminder for me that no one walks through life without some pain which means that everyone needs the good news of what God has done for me.
Even though I’ve given glory to God for each step there have been times when my heart has not been in it and I come to depend on the prayers of others to glorify him for me. It is out of our need to continually glorify God that we each other and it is in a community of believers where that can take place.
I love the phrase, “The poor will hear and be glad,” because it is out of our need for God’s blessings that we listen. We often associate the term “poor” with possessions and money yet there are as many ways to be poor as there stars in the night sky. The question that forever haunts me is, “In what ways am I poor?”
You may find this hard to believe or you may think I am crazy for thinking such thoughts but I am glad I’ve had to struggle since 1983 to walk and as I’ve already stated it has not been a “walk in the park” but it has been a very blessed adventure with God walking with me and ahead of me.





