Rise up, Lord God, lift up Your hand, and do not forget the afflicted.
The psalmist asks God to intervene openly. The phrase “Lift up Your hand” is an image of power and action. He knows that the Lord has not forgotten the poor, yet in prayer he asks that this remembrance would become visible help. This prayer is born from a desire for justice, not from personal revenge. The believer may ask that God stop the oppressor, protect the defenseless, and expose deceitful schemes. At the same time, this request is a challenge to all of us. When it is said, “Do not forget the poor,” we should ask ourselves whether we have forgotten them. God often lifts up His hand through the service of His people. A person cannot replace His judgment, yet can become an instrument of mercy, protection, and just help. True prayer not only waits for God’s intervention, but also prepares the heart to act.