 To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David, when Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him.
59 Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; protect me from those who rise up against me; 2 deliver me from those who work evil, and save me from bloodthirsty men. 3 For behold, they lie in wait for my life; fierce men stir up strife against me. For no transgression or sin of mine, O Lord, 4 for no fault of mine, they run and make ready. Awake, come to meet me, and see! 5 You, Lord God of hosts, are God of Israel. Rouse yourself to punish all the nations; spare none of those who treacherously plot evil. Selah 6 Each evening they come back, howling like dogs and prowling about the city. 7 There they are, bellowing with their mouths with swords in their lips— for “Who,” they think, “will hear us?” 8 But you, O Lord, laugh at them; you hold all the nations in derision. 9 O my Strength, I will watch for you, for you, O God, are my fortress. 10 My God in his steadfast love will meet me; God will let me look in triumph on my enemies. 11 Kill them not, lest my people forget; make them totter by your power and bring them down, O Lord, our shield! 12 For the sin of their mouths, the words of their lips, let them be trapped in their pride. For the cursing and lies that they utter, 13 consume them in wrath; consume them till they are no more, that they may know that God rules over Jacob to the ends of the earth. Selah 14 Each evening they come back, howling like dogs and prowling about the city. 15 They wander about for food and growl if they do not get their fill. 16 But I will sing of your strength; I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning. For you have been to me a fortress and a refuge in the day of my distress. 17 O my Strength, I will sing praises to you, for you, O God, are my fortress, the God who shows me steadfast love. Meditation I can get stuck in discouragement and despondency, allowing circumstances to drive the eyes of my heart inward. God’s Word provides a path to move from struggle to singing. Lord, turn the eyes of our hearts to the Hope of Heaven! David prays for deliverance and protection (1-2) and ends with calling God his “Strength and fortress, the God who shows steadfast love” (17). How does David close the distance between panic and peace, from needing salvation in desperation to singing of the Lord’s sovereign grace and steadfast love? -David is real with the fight (3-7). The historical context is Saul sending men to take David’s life during the night (1 Samuel 19:11-24). The practical consequence is the power in naming the struggle. The first step to finding deliverance is naming your need to be delivered. -David draws strength from God’s word (8-10). David uses Psalm 2:1-6 for perspective, allowing God’s word to drive him to God’s character and covenant faithfulness. God’s promises are true. Feasting on Scripture is power for the present moment. -Victory is already and not yet (11-15). David celebrates God’s ultimate victory but “Each evening they come back…” (14) Sin still resides in hearts, flows from mouths, and resists the plans and promises of God. God’s ultimate victory gives strength in present struggle. -We CAN sing during the fight (16-17). David sings of God’s strength and steadfast love. David celebrates God as Fortress and Deliverer. Faith in the sovereign and steadfast love of God gives strength until the ultimate victory of God removes the enemies and struggles of this fallen world. Richly Dwelling -Where do you need to be honest with the struggles of your relationships, circumstances, personal sin, and life in this fallen world? -God’s word gives strength, feeding us with God’s sovereign grace and sure salvation as we navigate the already/ not yet realities of His victory. How can you allow God’s word to feed your faith? What handles does it give you to hold onto for hope? -Do you sing of God as your strength and fortress? Our eyes will be lifted to heaven when our hearts burst forth in songs of salvation- Sing to Him. Key Verse 9 O my Strength, I will watch for you, for you, O God, are my fortress. 10 My God in his steadfast love will meet me; God will let me look in triumph on my enemies. Comments are closed.
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