2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.
3 For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.
4 I will abide in thy tabernacle forever: I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.
5 For thou, O God, hast heard my vows: thou hast given me the heritage of those that fear thy name.
6 Thou wilt prolong the king’s life: and his years as many generations.
7 He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.
8 So will I sing praise unto thy name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows. (KJV)
This is another Psalm that David wrote during one of the times that he was facing opposition from his enemy. It is interesting as one studies David life how much of his struggles dealt with those close to him, such as Saul, his own family, and his own group of advisors. Yet as we look at the struggles we face in life, they are usually with the close circles of family, whose whom we work with, neighbors, or the groups that we associate with in our free time.
As I study this psalm today, I realize the importance of a King in my life. Aging is a process in which we see the world of an infant expand from a small family unit into the community around him and then deflate in the later years back to the small family unit or a close inner circle of friends. In this process, man moves from a secure environment to a world of uncertainty and then tries to move back to a secure environment in his later days on this earth. Security is the second level on Maslow’s Hierarchic Pyramid of Needs. It is this area that people seek to conquer once their Physiological needs are met. However, the Psalmist realizes that it is the good Shepherd that meets both our Physiological needs as well as our secure needs. This good shepherd person is also our King Christ Jesus.
As we study the gospels we are introduced to Christ. So, as I study this psalm today my prayer is simply to be more like Christ. My prayer is to abide in him. John writes these words to us in I John 3:6-8:
Whosoever abides in him sins not: whosoever sins hath not seen him, neither knows him. My little children let no man lead you astray: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous: he that doeth sin is of the devil; for the devil sins from the beginning. To this end was the Son of God manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.
Yes, I know I need a King in my life and that King is Christ. He is the one I praise and the one to whom I will seek to fulfill my vows. The key to serving him is for me to put off the old nature and strive to put on his nature. This starts by striving to live a blameless (however not perfect) life.
1 O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again.
2 Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shakes.
3 Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment.
4 Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah.
5 That thy beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand and hear me.
6 God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem and mete out the valley of Succoth.
7 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of my head; Judah is my lawgiver.
8 Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me.
9 Who will bring me into the strong city? Who will lead me into Edom?
10 Wilt not thou, O God, which hadst cast us off? and thou, O God, which didst not go out with our armies?
11 Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man.
12 Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies. (KJV)
You should study the places mentioned in this psalm. They will help you grasp a greater understanding of God’s redemption plan for mankind.
Shechem is used about 60 times in the Bible. It was the place of Joseph’s tomb. Also, an important crossroad of trade. It was also the name of Hamor the Hivite son. It was Shechem that took Dinah (Jacob’s daughter) and defiled her and then wanted her as his wife. Later after Simeon and Levi her brothers after pretending to form a peaceful relationship with the Hamor and his city went in and killed all the men of this city and told the spoils of the city. (Genesis 34) It was also the place where Rehoboam meet with the elders of all Israel when they rejected him as king and set up Jeroboam was the king over the ten tribes that left Judah and Benjamin.
Succoth is used about 17 times in the Bible. It was the first camp for Israel after they left Egypt. Was also a place in the Jordan river valley that Jacob had visited.
Gilead is used about 129 times in the Bible. It was the land that the Gadites and Reubenites settle on the east side of the Jordan.
Manasseh is used about 136 times in the Bible. The name of the first born of Joseph in Egypt and one of the thirteen tribes of Israel.
Ephraim is used about 147 times in the Bible. The name of the second born of Joseph, but the one that Jacob blessed as the first born. Joshua was from this tribe. Referred to as the tribe of Joseph in Joshua 18:11 and Revelation 7:8.
Judah is used about 797 times in the Bible. The tribe of David and of Christ.
Moab is used about 181 times in the Bible. Moab was the son of Lot and his oldest daughter. Ruth, David’s great grandmother, was a Moabite. Lot was the nephew of Abraham.
Edom is used about 131 times in the Bible. The name of the descendants of Esau the son of Isaac and the twin brother of Jacob (Israel). His grandfather was Abraham.
Philistia is used about 10 times in the Bible. It is the land of the Philistines.
1 Deliver me from my enemies, O God; protect me from those who rise up against me. 2 Deliver me from evildoers and save me from bloodthirsty men. 3 See how they lie in wait for me! Fierce men conspire against me for no offense or sin of mine, O LORD. 4 I have done no wrong, yet they are ready to attack me. Arise to help me; look on my plight! 5 O LORD God Almighty, the God of Israel, rouse yourself to punish all the nations; show no mercy to wicked traitors. Selah 6 They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city. 7 See what they spew from their mouths they spew out swords from their lips, and they say, “Who can hear us?” 8 But you, O LORD, laugh at them; you scoff at all those nations. 9 O my Strength, I watch for you; you, O God, are my fortress,
10 my loving God. God will go before me and will let me gloat over those who slander me. 11 But do not kill them, O Lord our shield or my people will forget. In your might make them wander about, and bring them down. 12 For the sins of their mouths, for the words of their lips, let them be caught in their pride. For the curses and lies they utter, 13 consume them in wrath, consume them till they are no more. Then it will be known to the ends of the earth that God rules over Jacob. Selah 14 They return at evening, snarling like dogs, and prowl about the city. 15 They wander about for food and howl if not satisfied. 16 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. 17 O my Strength, I sing praise to you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God. (NIV)
This was probably written when Saul had sent men to watch David’s house to kill him. This was when David had to flee from Saul 1 Samuel 19
10 And Saul sought to smite David even to the wall with the spear; but he slipped away out of Saul’s presence, and he smote the spear into the wall: and David fled, and escaped that night.
11 And Saul sent messengers unto David’s house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal, David’s wife, told him, saying, If thou save not thy life to-night, to-morrow thou wilt be slain.
12 So Michal let David down through the window: and he went, and fled, and escaped.
13 And Michal took the teraphim, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats’ hair at the head thereof, and covered it with the clothes.
14 And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick.
15 And Saul sent the messengers to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him.
16 And when the messengers came in, behold, the teraphim was in the bed, with the pillow of goats’ hair at the head thereof.
17 And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me thus, and let mine enemy go, so that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee?
18 Now David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth. (KJV)
Of all the characters in the Bible, David is probably the one in which we can follow from his earlier life as a shepherd to his death as King. The story of David’s life as well as the life of Jesus gives us examples of how we should live our life as sojourners on this earth. The key to both lives was the principle of faith. Having faith that no matter the events that are happening around us makes us focus on a faith that needs only to trust and obey. By living a life of faith, we like David can say “O my Strength, I watch for you; you, O God, are my fortress, O my Strength, I sing praise to you; you, O God, are my fortress, my loving God.”
This was the beginning of David’s fleeing from Saul. During this time, he went from being the national hero to an enemy of the state. As I study David’s life and his writings in the Psalms during some of the lowest times in my life, I realized how much of this period of David’s life and the earthly ministry of Christ had in common. Both were rejected as King as well as their message they preached. Both looked to God for deliverance instead of fighting the battle themselves. The lessons I have took away for my studies of the Psalms is that God will provide deliverance for us, if we wait on him.
Waiting can be very difficult in the age in which we reside today. As I study the armor of God in Ephesians chapter six verses eleven through eighteen; we are instructed put on the whole armor of God that we may be able to withstand in the evil day. In this battle that I will face, God has given me the armor to defend myself. He has provided the helmet of salvation for my head (mind), the breastplate of righteousness for my heart, my strength is held together by the belt of truth. Taking the shield of faith to quench the fiery darts of the wicked, I can march forth with my knowledge of the gospel of peace. And where the battle comes to me, I will pull out the sword of the spirit (the word of God) and use it as Christ did against the evil one in Matthew chapter four.
But the key to the battle is communication. I must always be praying, studying, and watching the movement of the spirit in my life. This sometimes is the waiting period. The human natural in me wants to attack and gain the victory with the powers God has given me. Yet the spiritual nature forces me to wait and let God bring the battle to me after he has prepared me for the battle. II Timothy 2:15 “Therefore study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needs not be ashamed rightly dividing the word of truth” (KJV). While waiting keep building your swordsmanship and your ability to use the shield of faith, so when the battle does come you like David will be able to stand.
1 Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?
2 Yea, in heart ye work wickedness; ye weigh the violence of your hands in the earth.
3 The wicked are estranged from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.
4 Their poison is like the poison of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stops her ear.
5 Which will not hearken to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely.
6 Break their teeth, O God, in their mouth: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O Lord.
7 Let them melt away as waters which run continually: when he bends his bow to shoot his arrows, let them be as cut in pieces.
8 As a snail which melts, let every one of them pass away: like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun.
9 Before your pots can feel the thorns, he shall take them away as with a whirlwind, both living, and in his wrath.
10 The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked.
11 So that a man shall say, verily there is a reward for the righteous: verily he is a God that judges in the earth. (KJV)
Reading these verses, you will see that even an unjust ruler or government will one day have to stand before God and answer for their actions. As I read, verse three “even at birth the wicked go astray”, I ask myself who are the wicked. In Psalm one the wicked are described as one who does not delight in the law of the Lord, but walks in the counselor of the wicked, stands in the way of the sinners and seats among the seat of the mockers. The difference between the righteous and the wicked is simply their delight in the law of the Lord. In I Samuel 16:7 when Samuel was starting the process of anointing one of Jesse’s sons as the next King of Israel God revealed to him that God looked on the heart on a man and not on the physical characteristic of a person. David was anointed to take Saul’s place. But why? The answer can be found in I Samuel chapter fifteen.
Samuel delivered to Saul a command from the Lord was to destroy the city of Amalek and not spare anything in the city. However, Saul spared Agag the king, best of all the livestock, as well as all that was good. When Saul was questioned by Samuel on why he did not follow the command of the Lord he stated he saved them to sacrifice to the Lord. When questioned about it again he answered, “but the people took the spoil to sacrifice to the Lord”. When Samuel made known to Saul that he had rejected the words of the Lord, Saul acknowledged his sin, because of he feared of his men. He wanted pardon, but he approached this pardon with the attitude of “OK, I did wrong nothing bad happen, let’s forget it and move on”. This seemed in the way he responded to Samuel after Samuel rejected his confusion of the wrong doings. Samuel let Saul know that their relationship was over since Saul had rejected God’s Word and he turned to walk away. Saul then grabbed Samuel to force him to return with him to the victory celebration and tore his robe. Saul responds was “I have sinned: yet honor me now before the elders and the people and go with me so that I may worship your God”. Why did Saul join the ranks of the wicked? Because, his delight was not in following God’s way, but in doing things according to Saul’s way. Saul placed his honor above God’s honor. With this decision, the Spirit of the Lord departed from Saul and an evil spirit from the Lord was sent to trouble him.
When man make the decision to place his honor above God’s honor, he also includes in this decision his desire not to walk in God’s way. Paul describes this decision in detail in Romans 1:18-32:
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hinder the truth in unrighteousness.
19 because that which is known of God is manifest in them; for God manifested it unto them.
20 For the invisible things of him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even his everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse:
21 because that, knowing God, they glorified him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened.
22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
23 and changed the glory of the incorruptible God for the likeness of an image of corruptible man, and of birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts unto uncleanness, that their bodies should be dishonored among themselves:
25 for that they exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile passions: for their women changed the natural use into that which is against nature:
27 and likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another, men with men working unseemliness, and receiving in themselves that recompense of their error, which was due.
28 And even as they refused to have God in their knowledge, God gave them up unto a reprobate mind, to do those things, which are not fitting;
29 being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
30 backbiters, hateful to God, insolent, haughty, boastful, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
31 without understanding, covenant-breakers, without natural affection, unmerciful:
32 who, knowing the ordinance of God, that they that practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but also consent with them that practice them.
As I study the psalms and God’s Word on why men rejection of God the one theme that is at the heart of this rejection is their purpose in life verses God’s purpose in life. They glorify man and humanize God and reject their creator completely.
1 Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusts in thee: yea, in the shadow of thy wings will I make my refuge, until these calamities be over past.
2 I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performs all things for me.
3 He shall send from heaven and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth his mercy and his truth.
4 My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword.
5 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let thy glory be above all the earth.
6 They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have dug a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah.
7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise.
8 Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early.
9 I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto thee among the nations.
10 For thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the clouds.
11 Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let thy glory be above all the earth. (KJV)
This is another psalm of David as he fled from Saul into the caves. David’s starts out this psalm off in the same manner as he did in psalm 56. He asks for God’s mercy as he takes refuge in him.
Key Facts:
We must ask for mercy because we have no righteousness to stand on.
God has provided a refuge for us and that is where we need to hide.
God has his purpose for me.
God does save me.
He rebukes those who are against his chosen.
David’s faith was steadfast and so must our faith in God.
The wicked will falls into their own traps.
I will praise Him. Why?
For great is His Love.
Great is His faithfulness
And He alone is exalted.
As I read verse two “I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills {his purpose} for me” it takes me back to Matthew 26:39 where Jesus prays “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” as his purpose. David did become the king of Israel as God purposed him to be as we will someday be made Christ-like when Christ appears the second time. However, until this event takes place, we must that refuge in the shadow of God’s wing and pray the same prayer that Christ our example prayed in the garden of Gethsemane. It is God who fulfills his purpose, not us fulfilling the purpose that God has given us. As a good soldier puts his life on the line to fulfill the military commander’s objectives so must we put on life and our dreams on the line to serve Christ.
When studying David’s life at this time in his life, we must realize that he was going through a period of self-examination. Everything that he believed was being tested. At this time, he was surrounded by a small band of followers who like him was running and hiding. It is a setting like this that even when you are part of a group you still feel like you are alone with God. It is in these times of testing that God will slowly work to transform us to be making according to His purpose.
This period is David’s life was probably very difficult for developing his relationship to God. One of the greatest life lessons I have learn from my studies in the Psalms and the study of David’s life is how amazing the relationship that an individual can have with the Creator of this universe. In Philippians 3:10 Paul writes these words about his relationship to Christ “That I may know him and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death”. One of Paul’s greatest desires was to be made conformable unto the death of Christ. As we study the individuals from the scriptures, we witness the personnel relationship they had with God. So in times of testing, we must be like David and not forsake God, but wait on him to reveal his purpose to us.
1 Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresses me.
2 Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High.
3 What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee.
4 In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me.
5 Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil.
6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul.
7 Shall they escape by iniquity? in thine anger cast down the people, O God.
8 Thou tell my wanderings: put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?
9 When I cry unto thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me.
10 In God will I praise his word: in the Lord will I praise his word.
11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.
12 Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto thee.
13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living? (KJV)
This psalm was written by David when the Philistines had seized him in Gath. This was the period in the life of David when he was running from Saul. David’s life has been given to us as an example of how we must face the issues that we encounter on our journey in this life and how to address these issues. In this example, David is fleeing from Saul not because of wrongdoing but because Saul saw him as a threat to his kingdom. This threat was not caused by David’s decisions but by God’s decision that the Lord had made in I Samuel 15 and 16 when He rejected Saul and chose David. God made this decision but David’s reaction to this decision would affect others around him. This holds true for us today. When making ourselves available to God, his plans for us can have an impact on the relationships to those around us. Just the simple belief that God is our creator, and we are his creation will cause others around us to form an opinion about us. Saul rejected God’s decision to make David the next King and placed himself against God and chose to kill David. David accepted it but waited for God to intervene and make him king. So, as you read this psalm study David’s reactions to Saul’s attack on him. Waiting is not easy; however, but it does strengthen our faith in the Lord.
The first thing David does is to make an appeal to God’s mercy. He places himself before the judge of the universe as one that is willing to accept his verdict because David knows that God alone has absolute power. He states his case before God: (1 men hotly pursue me 2 they attach me 3 they slander me) because of their pride. They have twisted David’s words, they are plotting against him, they are lurking about him and are watching his steps.
After this appeal for mercy, David states to God “In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me?” David praises God’s word and trust in his judgment and at the same time, David does not fear man. Why? Because Samuel had anointed him king of Israel and God had not changed this. Sometimes we seem to forget God’s promises that he has made. We seem to forget that he will never leave us or forsake us. We seem to forget one of my daughter’s favorite verse Romans 8:28 “And we know that to them that love God all things work together for good, even to them that are called according to his purpose.” So, remember and trust in God’s promises in times of trouble. The second thing to remember is not to fear man.
Next, we see the results of David’s prayer “Then my enemies will turn back when I call for help. By this I will know that God is for me”. I love I John 5:14-15 where one of the five evidences of Christ in you is this: “And this is the boldness which we have toward him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us: and if we know that he hears us whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions which we have asked.” Yes, God does answer our prayers, he protects us along the way and the true believer can also repeat what David states in verse thirteen of this psalm. However, we must also understand from these verses that answer prayer is in accordance to His will. As we grow in Christ, we must realize that the working of events in our life is for the purpose of God transforming the innermost part of us to be more Christ-like. Events happen every day in our life that will bring us closer or farther from the transformation that God wants to happen in our life. If we stay in the Word and walk in His way, then these events will bring us closer to the transformation that God desires for us and we will see answer prayer in our life.
Reading this psalm, we can also compare it to the life that Christ lived during his ministry on the earth. For as David the anointed king to take Saul’s place was pursued and hunted so was Christ the promise Messiah from God pursued and hunted. During Saul’s reign David was the rejected King just as Christ was during his ministry on this earth was the rejected Messiah. Just as David became King after Saul’s death, so will Christ become King of Kings when he returns to the earth. Are you looking forward to that Day?
1 Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.
2 Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise.
3 Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.
4 My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.
5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror hath overwhelmed me.
6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away and be at rest.
7 Lo, then would I wander far off, and remain in the wilderness. Selah.
8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest.
9 Destroy, O Lord, and divide their tongues: for I have seen violence and strife in the city.
10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.
11 Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.
12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hidden myself from him:
13 But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and my acquaintance.
14 We took sweet counsel together and walked unto the house of God in company.
15 Let death seize upon them and let them go down quick into hell: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.
16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the Lord shall save me.
17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
18 He hath delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
19 God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abides of old. Selah. Because they have no changes, therefore they fear not God.
20 He hath put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he hath broken his covenant.
21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.
22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.
23 But thou, O God, shalt bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in thee. (KJV)
Reading this psalm as well as others written by David, I usually ask myself when David wrote this psalm. The beauty of old age is that you can look back on the experiences of your past to better understanding the events happening around you at the present. As I read this, I would have to agree with Charles Spurgeon that it was written at the time of Absalom ‘s rebellion. This psalm reveals that David is honest with the Lord. Yes, his thoughts trouble him and he is not sure what course of action to take in this situation. When your son and one of your closest friends (in this case one of his advisors Ahithophel) turn against you and tries to destroy your very existence, how do you react? This psalm is also similar to the thoughts that Christ probably had about Judas when he betrays him in the garden.
Some of David’s feelings:
my thoughts trouble me
I am distraught
my enemy brings suffering on me
my enemy revile me in their anger
my heart is in anguish
terrors of death assail me
fear and trembling have beset me
horror has overwhelmed me
David’s prayer and his plea:
I will flee to my place of shelter
confuse the wicked
confound their speech
let death take my enemies by surprise
let them go alive to the grave
Lord save me
Lord ransom me unharmed from this battle
David’s enemies:
they bring suffering on him
they are violence
they bring malice and abuse within the city
they are my friends my companions
they refuse to change their ways
they have no fear of God
they violate their covenant
they speak lies
their ways are set on war
David’s actions:
Cast his cares on God
Looks to God to sustain him
Acts in righteous knowing God never let the righteous fall
And the key to everything that David does he trusts God
As we walk with the Lord daily and study his Word, this psalm will help us trust in him more. We do not live in a perfect world and more importantly, we cannot create the perfect world around us. We might try to control our surroundings and those around us to make our world perfect to us, but sin has a way of entering in and destroying that perfect world. We tend to focus too much on finding a purpose driven life instead of having a walk that is blameless before the Lord. In times of trouble, David left judgment in God’s hand and trusted God to lead him though the green pastures. Even when he was walking through the valley of death, he knew God was with him. So, if you are facing times when your world is collapsing and even your friends turn against you, just know that God is there. However, if it is you who are rebelling against God and his righteous ones, and you have no fear of God, but say in your heart I have no need of God then be warned that God will bring down the wicked into the pit of corruption.
1 Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me by thy strength.
2 Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth.
3 For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah.
4 Behold, God is my helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul.
5 He shall reward evil unto my enemies: cut them off in thy truth.
6 I will freely sacrifice unto thee: I will praise thy name, O Lord; for it is good.
7 For he hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen his desire upon my enemies. (KJV)
When the Ziphites had gone to Saul and said, “Is not David hiding among us?”
A theme I was developing today as I was studying the psalms is it is God who seeks after us, not us after God. However, once we reach out to the seeking God then it should become our desire to seek after Him. The New American Standard Bible titles Isaiah fifty-five as “The Free Offer of Mercy”. This chapter presents the center of God’s message to the world “Everyone who thirsts, come…and delight yourself in abundance”. However, this focus of seeking changes when we have heard the Word and open the heart door to accept God’s mercy. The message of verses three and six found in Isaiah fifty-five is clear “Give ear and come to me” “Seek the Lord while he may be found” clearly points us to seek after God. Why? Isaiah answers this in verse eight “My thoughts are not your thoughts, and my ways are not our ways”. To seek God then should become the desire for all Christian. And in this process, we will become more Christ-like in everything we do.
But as the reader of this psalm will notice this is not the theme of this psalm. The theme of this psalm is for God to save David and vindicate him from those who are trying to destroy him. In this psalm we see how David handles the events concerning those ruthless men who seek to destroy him. David’s way was to turn it over to God to handle. David’s prayer to God was to sustain him and let God be the one to destroy them. This is God’s way, not the way of men. So how do we react to those who try to slander and destroy us? How do we handle the attaches that we face from the godless people in our life who does not know God’s way?
This problem can even get harder to handle when ungodly men turn the grace of God into lasciviousness and makes it look like they are the godly ones, and you are the wicked one. David answers this with verse seven of this psalm “for he has delivered me from all my troubles and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes”. Therefore, as we seek after God, we will see his way becomes our way as we wait on him to complete His purpose in us. How do we know this is happening? It happens when the peace of God that passes all understanding is within you, and you know that everything is working together to make you more Christ-like in your daily walk.
This is not an overnight process. Remember David spend seven years of his life running from Saul. It was during the lowest points of these seven years that we see David looking to the intervene of God’s hand in past events to give him the assurance of future victories. Sometimes at our lowest point God’s sends words of encouragement. During this time of running from Saul, Jonathan Saul’s son arose and went to David and strengthened David’s hand in the Lord.
of David. 1 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, and their ways are vile; there is no one who does good. 2 God looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God. 3 Everyone has turned away, they have together become corrupt; there is no one who does good, not even one. 4 Will the evildoers never learn those who devour my people as men eat bread and who do not call on God? 5 There they were, overwhelmed with dread, where there was nothing to dread. God scattered the bones of those who attacked you; you put them to shame, for God despised them. 6 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad! (KJV)
Who is a fool? According to Merriam-Webster, the word means a person lacking in judgment or prudence. In verse one of this psalm the psalmist describes a fool as a person that rejects God. In other words, this person is Godless, someone who has rejected and denies that God exist. The psalmist then describes him as being corrupt and their ways as being vile. This is the state of a man who rejects God. This psalm of David along with Psalm fourteen is used by Paul in Romans chapter three. Paul’s conclusion is found in Romans 3:23 “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” As I study this psalm, I realize the truth found in Hebrews 2:3 “how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him.” The first step in grabbing hold of this great salvation is in knowing God and understand that all of us have turned away from God.
The theme of the seeking God is clear in this Psalm. The fool is the one that rejects God, the one who denies God, and his way. But the psalm also continues with the theme of God looking down from heaven and seeing that the sons of men did not seek Him. Reading this psalm, I am reminded of the world before the flood and how God save mankind through Noah. And even today as we look out unto the world today can we find those who seek God?
Verse six “Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!” is a promise that the psalmist was looking forward to being fulfilled. This is the same promise that we as believers see in John 3:16. So, as we see in the Gospels that God, send his Son to us as the way, the truth and the life. Just as Israel’s hope of salvation rested in God restoring the fortunes of his people; we also place our hope in Christ’s sacrifice on the cross and His resurrection for our salvation.
We must not forget that words of this psalm apply to all of mankind. We must heed Paul’s words in Romans 2:1 “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judges: for wherein thou judge another, thou condemn thyself; for thou that judges do the same thing.” We are all sinners and need a savior. However, thanks be to God we have one in Christ. And with the salvation we have the gift of the Holy Spirit to become a new creature. Therefore, we must remember I Corinthians 5:17 “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” We are no longer a fool, since we now have the salvation that comes by faith our conversation if one that praises God instead of denying God.
1 Why boast thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endures continually.
2 The tongue devises mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully.
3 Thou loves evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah.
4 Thou loves all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue.
5 God shall likewise destroy thee forever, he shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah.
6 The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him:
7 Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches and strengthened himself in his wickedness.
8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever.
9 I will praise thee forever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name; for it is good before thy saints. (KJV)
To better understand this psalm the reader should read the account recorded in I Samuel chapter twenty-two where Doeg the Edomite informed Saul that David has gone to the house of Ahimelech. This was the start of David’s journey in his life that he was fleeing for his life from the presence of Saul. This time period in his life probably lasted about seven years. During these seven years of David’s life, he was considered a criminal of the state and was hunt by Saul and his army. Yet during this time he placed, his hope and trust in the Lord. So, no matter what comes into your life remember this truth; the righteous will see and fear. I trust in God’s unfailing love forever and ever.
As you live your life on this earth, do you live it in the light of today’s rewards or the rewards that eternality offers? Have you made God our stronghold and the one who will guide you, or have you made yourself the controller of your life? In Philippians 4 Paul gives us an example of how to handle disputes. The key is to agree with each other in the Lord. However, this does not always happen. So, Paul gives us these final instructions on handling disputes in Philippians 4:8,9 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you”. This is the path we must follow when we make God our stronghold.
However, how do we truly make our daily decisions? How do we handle the daily tough situation around us, which forces us to make tough decisions? One of the keys to making good decisions is found in the principles that Paul outlines for us in Philippians 4:8, 9. However, I have come to realize in the last several years that following these principles and being Christ-like is not an easy task. Consider what Paul is saying in these verses:
whatever is true
whatever is noble
whatever is right
whatever is pure
whatever is lovely
whatever is admirable
if anything is excellent or praiseworthy
THEN think about such things
These principles taken individuality are easy to understand, however when taken as a group can cause much confusion. That is why verse eight ends in the phase “if anything is excellent or praiseworthy, think about such things” or as Psalm 1 states “mediate”. As I look into God’s Word daily and see his word, reflecting back on the imperfections of my daily activity I am reminded how much I need my Bible study to get me started every morning. Just as my looking into a mirror in the morning reflects back my physical appearances that must be corrected before I go out and face the world each morning, God’s Word reveals the things in my life that are not true, noble, right, pure, lovely, or admirable. Therefore, we must mediate and think about all things in light of these six attributes working together. David’s life is a great example of this process. Samuel had anointed him to be the next King of Israel. That was truth? However, these verses were written as he was running from Saul and being treated as a criminal of the state. Should he not stand up and fight for what was rightfully his position, knowing that God had rejected Saul and chosen David to be the next King? What was noble, right, pure, lovely, and admirable? What route then should David take to secure this kingdom that that he was anointed to take? This was the issue that David was facing in this Psalm.
In John 1:10-12 it states of Christ “He was in the world and though the world was made by him, the world did not recognize him. He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.” Christ came to this earth two thousand years ago as King, and yet the world rejected him and crucified him on the cross. Just as David was rejected by Israel to take his rightful place during the time of this psalm, Christ also was rejected by the world when he came to earth the first time. Why did he not take the world by force since he was the King of Kings? This is a mystery that many struggles with, “why does God not intervene immediately to right the wrongs in this world?” To me the answer is simple, He did. The answer is Christ. As I study the psalms, I have seen several features in David’s life that seem to reflect in Christ’s earthly ministry. The three characters in this psalm, God, the evil, and the righteous are the three main characters in the world around us today. By studying the psalms, may I learn the principles of Philippians 4:8, 9 and apply them to my life. May I like David learn to rely totally on the Lord, for guidance and direction!
Opinion is defined as a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter. In a stronger form, it means a formal expression of judgment or advice by an expert upon which a legal decision is based. It is opinions that either bring people together or divides people into different groups. What happens when the mighty men of a nation look at their evil ways and call them good? How do we make a stand against these evil ways? Do we wait on God, or do we make a stand and fight against evil? Sometimes it seems the route in which the righteous chose to make their stand against evil practices results in greater separation in the forces against evil practices rather than the evil practices themselves. By studying David’s life, we can get a picture of what it means to truly wait on the Lord.
The very start of evil can be traced back to Satan. By studying Isaiah chapter fourteen, we see these I will use by the son of the morning:
I will ascend into heaven
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God
I will sit upon the mount of congregation, in the uttermost parts of the north.
I will ascend above the heights of the clouds.
I will make myself like the Most High.
Evil is simply going against the way of God. As I looked at this Psalm today in light of Isaiah fourteen, I asked myself a simply question “Do I have the characteristics of a man that did not make God my stronghold or do I look to God to fulfill in me his daily purpose?” To answer this question, I went to Matthew chapter 20 verses one through fifteen:
1 For the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that was a householder, who went out early in the morning to hire laborers into his vineyard.
2 And when he had agreed with the laborers for a shilling a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
3 And he went out about the third hour and saw others standing in the marketplace idle.
4 and to them he said, Go ye also into the vineyard, and whatsoever is right I will give you. And they went their way.
5 Again he went out about the sixth and the ninth hour and did likewise.
6 And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing; and he saith unto them, Why stand ye here all day idle?
7 They say unto him, Because no man hath hired us. He saith unto them, Go ye also into the vineyard.
8 And when evening had come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the laborers, and pay them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
9 And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a shilling.
10 And when the first came, they supposed that they would receive more; and they likewise received every man a shilling.
11 And when they received it, they murmured against the householder,
12 saying, These last have spent but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat.
13 But he answered and said to one of them, Friend, I do thee no wrong: didst not thou agree with me for a shilling?
14 Take up that which is thine and go thy way; it is my will to give unto this last, even as unto thee.
15 Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? or is thine eye evil, because I am good?
The characters:
Householder
12-hour Laborers for a shilling a day
9 hours Laborers for whatsoever is right
6 hours Laborers for whatsoever is right
3 hours Laborers for whatsoever is right
1-hour Laborers for whatsoever is right
The Plot:
A householder hired workers at different times to work in his vineyard. He agreed with the first to pay them a shilling for their day’s work. The others hired during the day were promised to be paid with the promise of whatsoever is right. At the end of the day, the householder paid the last to start to work a shilling and continue to pay the reminder of the workers a shilling. These who worked longer expected to be paid more, but they were not. Then they murmured against him. The householder’s answer was simple “I did you no wrong I paid you what we agreed to.” Is it not lawful for me to do what I want with mine own?
Ask yourself these questions about this parable and then truly apply the answers to these questions to the way you live your life:
Was the householder right in what he did?
Whom does the householder represent?
Whom do the laborers represent?
Did the laborers who worked all day have a right to question the householder’s decision?
How does this parable relate to evil?
So, when I get to heaven how should I react to the prize that will be set before me?
My 5 Daily Psalms 