Psalm 63 - Confidence and delight

There were two periods in David’s life when he was forced to live in the desert. One was before he became king when Saul was pursuing him and the other was after he became king when his son Absalom rebelled against him. Since he refers to himself as the king (v. 11), he must have written this psalm during the time his son was challenging him for the throne.

David’s heart was matching his surroundings as he wrote this psalm. He was physically in a wilderness, but he was also longing for God similar to how a creature would long for water in a desert. The experience of God that he was longing for was what was revealed about the Lord in the tabernacle (sanctuary). But the experience  was not confined to there.

What would he have seen at the sanctuary? There, he would see evidences of God’s power and glory revealed in his steadfast love. The tabernacle itself reminded the worshippers of how God had been with their forefathers as they travelled from Egypt to Canaan. It also reminded them of their great privilege in being the only nation on earth among whom God had a special location where his people could draw near to him in public. Further, it was the only place on earth where legitimate sacrifices were offered for sin, reminding them of the amazing fact that their holy God had provided the means of atonement for them (vv. 2-3).

Thinking about God in such ways led David to dedicate himself to the worship of God. His dedication would mark his life, for however long he would live. He understood the bigness of his God, that he is constantly worthy of the most heartfelt worship that his people can give (v. 4).

Such thoughts of God as his helper also brought great satisfaction to David as his spiritual thirst was met. The experience is like a good meal, it is better than sleep, and gives him great joy. It provides him with security (under his wings) and confidence. David pursues after the God who is already holding on to him. (vv. 5-8). His experience is the opposite of what will happen to his opponents. God will use his power to destroy them utterly (vv. 9-10).

The outcome will be that David will rejoice in the Lord, all who are devoted to God will praise him, and the wicked will be compelled to be silent. In other words, God’s kingdom will continue to develop even although the current circumstances linked to the rebellion were personally sad for David. But he knew where to go for help - to his God.

The word translated ‘earnestly’ in verse 1 can also mean ‘early’. Some translations use early and this has led some churches to regard the psalm as a morning psalm. Both ‘earnestly’ and ‘early’ indicate priority and strength of desire in meeting with God. 

Psalm 62 - Serene before God

David is under attack from opponents when he writes this psalm. Yet he is not worried about what they are doing because he contrasts them with God. He mentions various divine attributes and actions that give him this assurance (vv. 1-2, 5-6). God alone is his deliverer and his protector, which means that while some noise is made by his opponents, it will not amount to much. 

In contrast to the noise they are making, he can approach God with silence, a way of indicating his confidence and calmness because he knows that the Lord will help him. Yet we know from other psalms that this was not always the response of David when in trouble and difficulty.

He describes his opponents in verses 3 and 4. They imagine that it would be easy to get rid of David because they assume that he is only by himself, with little support. Their conspiracy does not take God and his plan into account. They use deception and lies in their speech, but David knows what is going on in their hearts. 

Therefore David repeats the reasons for his confidence in God in verses 5 and 6 and expands them in verse 7, probably for the benefit of others whom he mentions in verse 8. David knew what God had promised him and he assures his supporters that he is resting in God, who is not only his refuge but theirs as well.

When facing difficulties from humans, whether low or high, it is important to realise what they are - lighter than a breath (v. 9). What power do they have in comparison to God? None. David indicates that his opponents gained their influence by sinful financial means (v. 10). Yet they seem to have power.

In response to those circumstances, David stresses that only God is truly powerful (v. 11). But how will he use his power? As far as his people are concerned (v. 12), divine power will be expressed in covenant faithfulness (as described by David already in the psalm when he says God is a fortress and a refuge). In contrast to their experience, the wicked will discover that God will use his power to bring punishment on them because of their sinful deeds (v. 12).

One of the common responses to difficulties is panic. On this occasion, David did not panic because his faith in God included the assurance that divine power was at work in protecting him from the conspiracy. Therefore, he could assure others that their God would help them too. As he comforted them, he also challenged them to trust fully in the Lord. 

One commentator points out that this psalm teaches that while we have nothing to fear from man we have no reason to hope for anything from man either. That is an important lesson to learn.

Psalm 61 - Praying for the King

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.

Psalm 60 - Prayer after a defeat

David in this psalm initially records how God had prevented his people from defeating their enemies in battle. The outcome was that they faced national disaster as the everyday structures were under threat. David recognised that the reason for the defeat was not the military superiority of the enemy. Instead, it was evidence that God was angry with his people, that instead of knowing his blessing they were experiencing great difficulties (vv. 1-3). 

Moreover, the defeat seemed surprising to the Israelites. It is difficult to identify when this defeat occurred, but scholars suggest it was during the period when David won many victories over surrounding peoples (2 Samuel 8). When he was away elsewhere winning battles, the Edomites took the opportunity to rebel against him. Perhaps David and his advisors had forgotten about this possibility or had become too confident in their arrangements. Whatever the reason, God had allowed it to happen and the Israelites were in a state of shock. 

Nevertheless, David recognised that the Lord’s cause had not been defeated completely. Rather, his banner was still flying and it was possible for those who feared him to go there for safety (v. 4). The imagery of flight in this sense is a good picture of repentance, of returning to God.

Then David and those with him pray to God for deliverance (v. 5). It looks as if verses 6-8 are the Lord’s answer, perhaps conveyed to David by a priest or a prophet, which indicates that the land and the people belong to God and that he will yet triumph over the enemy nations. 

On hearing this promise, David asks the question about who will lead the advance into Edom (v. 9). The title of the psalm indicates that Joab eventually was the one chosen to do so, but it seems that David at the time of writing was praying for guidance about who should do so. 

David continues his prayer for deliverance in verses 10-12. He prays to the God who has arranged for a defeat to be their experience. Yet David had learned the lesson that they needed God’s constant protection. Depending on human help turns out to be a false refuge. But when God is on our side, victory will happen because he will deal with our foes.

A New Testament verse that comes to mind is the warning of Jesus to his disciples when he said, ‘Without me, you can do nothing.’ At the same time, we can think of Paul’s statement, ‘I can do all things through him who gives me strength.’ 

We can also see from this psalm that defeat can occur at the same time as victories are happening. It is the case that we can be making progress in some areas but lose a battle in another area. That loss can be a reminder from God that we are not being careful. But we can also see that his banner is flying, inviting us to go to him.

Psalm 59 - Hunted, but on Way to Victory

Sometimes we read or hear about a person who is being hunted by the authorities because of an action that has been committed. David at this time was being searched for by the agents of King Saul. An obvious place for them to watch was his home. David knew that they were determined to get rid of him because he was a threat to their regime (vv. 1-3).

What did David do? He took his case to God, but he also wrote it down in the form of a psalm. To begin with, he recognised the motives of his opponents. They were not looking for him because he had done a wrong action. Yet God did not seem to be doing anything about it (vv. 3-4), that he needed to be roused.

 

David also saw his own case as part of a global phenomenon in which nations are rising against God’s people, Israel. The same divine action was required for the nation’s deliverance as for his own deliverance (v. 5). David knew that the powerful God who had made a covenant with Israel would help them, including himself. 

 

In verses 6 and 7, David details the constant methods of his opponents. They made a lot of noise, although the important response would be God’s reaction. Since the Lord laughs at the antics of nations, what effect would David’s opponents have on hindering the divine plans? David realised that the Lord was his personal refuge, the One who would give him strength until he obtained complete victory over his enemies (vv. 8-10).

 

It would have been easy for God to remove those opponents in a quiet manner. Yet David argues in his prayer that such a method would not help his cause. It would be better if the Lord dealt with them in a very public way. Their verbal sins were such that only clear demonstration of divine wrath would be adequate, especially since such a public action would reveal that the only One who is fully enthroned is the Lord. Moreover, such an expression of divine judgement would reveal the focus that God has for the progress of his kingdom (vv. 11-13).

 

David closes his prayer by contrasting his enemies’ behaviour with his own experience. Since they cannot find him despite their searching, they growl and moan like hungry dogs. In contrast, David can sing about the Lord’s deliverances, of the displays of his power and protection. Such a faithful God deserves the praises of his people (vv. 14-17).

 

The psalm reminds us that individual believers are involved in a much bigger battle than their own circumstances. Life is an expression of a war between two kingdoms. Christians have God on their side and sometimes they sense that only a dramatic divine answer will deal with the situations facing them. Such occasions require prayer in which suitable arguments are made for God to act in a way that continues the growth of his kingdom. Thinking of God’s commitment to his kingdom enables them to realise afresh his commitment to them as individuals. 

 

 

Psalm 58 - Unjust rulers

Some psalms fall into the category of imprecatory psalms and this is one of them. In such psalms, the authors pray to God to intervene and judge sinful people. David, in this psalm, complains about unjust rulers. It was common to address them as gods, which David does here. Instead of judging righteously, they planned evil and used their power cruelly to compel obedience from their subjects (vv. 1-2). 

Why do they do this? David’s answer may seem surprising. They have been deceitful from birth, a reminder of the effects of original sin. Not that such a nature is an excuse. Within them is poison and they are deaf to what other people think or advise. In fact, they are stone deaf, like the snake that merely judges by what it sees (vv. 3-5). But David does link their adult practices to their birth.

What can a righteous person do about such evil rulers? He can pray to God to remove them in such a way that they no longer have any role at all in authority. David uses several illustrations to describe the complete removal that he desires. He wants their power, which is like the teeth of lions, to be removed quickly (vv. 6-9). 

When that happens, the righteous will rejoice because of their deliverance, and others will see that there is a God who defends his people (vv. 10-11).

It is obvious that this psalm is very relevant for today because there are many unjust rulers. The psalm also reminds us that the most effective way to bring change is to pray, which usually is the last option that is used. It also calls us to observe when unjust rulers are removed and to remind ourselves that there is a God who judges in his providence.

The psalm is also a reminder that we can use our imagination or use illustrations as we pray. David uses numerous descriptions of those unjust rulers - they are lions and snakes, but he wants them to be like powerless slugs. That is three examples, but there are more. They give strength and clarity to our requests.

   

   

    

   

Psalm 57 - Song in a cave

As we can see from the heading, this psalm by David is connected to the time when he was hiding in the cave of Adullum when Saul was trying to find him in order to kill him. It is obvious that David regarded his experiences as suitable themes for the worshippers in Israel to sing. 

What does he mention in this song? In verse 1, he states that God is a refuge in times of trouble, and that during the time in which he is a refuge he will show mercy and compassion to his people. That did happen with David.

In verse 2, he mentions his confidence in the sovereignty of God. The Lord has a plan which includes this period of rejection. It also includes David’s future deliverance. David does not doubt that this will happen. He knows it will take place because he knows the character of God as faithful and committed to his covenant.

In verses 4 and 6, he describes the nature of his opponents. He is realistic about them and is aware that they are cruel and determined to get him. Yet he can praise God in verse 5 because he has overruled the intrigues of the enemies and caused them to bring about the demise of his opponents. Here David acknowledges the wisdom of God.

In verses 7-10, David describes his determination to serve God even although he is going through a difficult time. He does not let his current exile diminish his anticipation of the fulfilment of God’s promises to him. Since thinking about God’s dealings has given him confidence, he resolves to sing. He tells us when he will sing, where he will sing, and why he will sing.

Regarding when he will sing, he intends to start at dawn, which would be about 6am. Perhaps he is indicating that he will sing all day or maybe he is saying that praising God will be his priority every day, the first thing he will do each day. Concerning where he will sing, he says he will do it among the nations, which may be how he describes his current location among other tribal groups. His praise will be a form of witness to those peoples about his God. And the reason why he will sing is because his God is faithful to his promises.

His personal contribution of praise includes the desire for his God to be praised everywhere (v. 11). David would not know what was above the heavens, but whatever is there should be full of praise of God. Neither did David know the size of the earth, but whatever its size, he wanted the Lord to be praised everywhere.

The lessons for us are obvious. Remember the fact that God is a refuge, that he is faithful, that he works according to his plan, that we should not judge the future by the present, and that we should long for the time when God is praised everywhere.