David begins the prayer of Psalm 7:1 by saying, “LORD my God …”. In Hebrew this is literally, “Yahweh Elohe”. “Yahweh Elohim” is a familiar Old Testament expression for God: “Yahweh” is His personal name (often translated “LORD” but is the “I AM” personal, covenant name which God gave Moses and used throughout the Old Testament), and “Elohim” means “God.”

But it is significant that David does not use the term “Yahweh Elohim”, but “Yahweh Elohe” — this variation on the ending of “Elohim” means “MY God.” While ostensibly a small change, it has huge implications.

David was not merely referring to a “God” he had heard or read about; he was calling upon HIS God, “MY God”, whom he knew personally, and who cared for him and would hear his prayer. It is like the difference in calling someone “father” and “MY father” — the personal relationship makes all the difference.

The Bible tells us that every one of us who repents of our sin and trusts Jesus as our Lord & Savior, become members of the family of God: “As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God.” (John 1:12) If this is true of you, then you are a child of God, and He is truly YOUR God!

Each of us should examine our own spiritual life and ask: what relationship do I have with the God of the Bible? Is He merely a God I have heard and read about, or can I truly say like David did, that He is “MY God?”