6Therefore let everyone who is(J) godly
offer prayer to you at a time when you(K) may be found;
surely in the rush of(L) great waters,
they shall not reach him.
Psalm 32:6 (ESV)
I read this passage in my morning devotion a few days ago. I was hectically getting ready for my trip to Texas. It's an interesting passage because it has a few pronouns, the referents of which are not immediately clear in the Hebrew text. The NIV renders the translation
"Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you
while you may be found;
surely when the mighty waters rise,
they will not reach him."
So that 'they' in the last line refers to the waters reaching the person who prays. But 'they' could also be referring to the prayers and him could be God. So the meaning could be essentially 'the one who prays while God may be found will not be reached by the flood" (NIV) OR it could be that it is good to pray at a certain time because in the rush of great waters (in the heat of the day when all heck breaks loose) that it is not likely one will remember to pray and reach out to God. (ESV) In either case, I would say that both are true and the latter understanding of it was particularly meaningful to me to remember no matter how busy I feel or how much I have to do, it is good to offer prayer first thing when it is quiet and peaceful - at a time the Lord will be found. I need that.