It is not clear when David wrote this psalm. In verse 6, he prays that the king would have long life. While it is possible that he is praying for himself, it is more likely that he is praying for someone else. The options would be his predecessor Saul or his successor Solomon. Given that Saul was a bad king, it probably is not him that is prayed for by David. So Solomon is the best option, which indicates that David wrote the psalm towards the end of his own reign. Maybe this psalm is a prayer of an old man.
In the first four verses, David expresses his confidence in God as the hearer of prayer. No matter where he is or what he feels, David knows that he can speak to God. He uses the pictures of isolation from people and weakness of spirit in verse 2. Yet although he is weak, he knows that God will help him by leading him to a place of security - a high rock where he would be above whatever was threatening him.
David can make this prayer with confidence because of his previous experiences of God’s help. On numerous occasions, God has protected him from opponents (v. 3). He knows that this divine refuge will last into the future (v. 4). His prayer is that he wants to be in the presence of God in the sense that he can worship him in his tent. That is David’s desire, to worship the One who delivered him from his sins.
The reference to wings of safety could be an illustration taken from the security a mother bird gives her young. But it could also be a reference to the wings of the cherubim above the mercy seat. That location was the real place of security for sinners in Israel who recognised that God is a Saviour.
In verse 5, David continues his references to his worship of God. He was able to make and keep vows because his God was gracious to him, having given to him a wonderful spiritual heritage. The defining evidence of having this heritage is reverence of God, a fear that acknowledges his holiness but which also recognises that he is full of mercy.
Perhaps David had gone to the tabernacle to worship God after discovering that Solomon would be his successor. The prayer in verses 6 and 7 could have been offered then. He prayed that the new king would have a long reign marked by God’s gracious protection.
Yet we can see from the description that it goes beyond an earthly monarch to someone who would rule for ever in the presence of God and experience divine favour continually. David knew that the Messiah would come from his royal line.
The thought of this reality, whether the experience that Solomon or his greater Descendant would have, caused David to praise God and renew his commitment to him. After all, such a response should mark everyone who gets access to God and receives blessing from him in return (v. 8).
The psalm encourages us to look back and recall God’s favours and to look ahead with faith to the blessings that God will give through the Ruler of his kingdom.
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