by Donya Dunlap | Oct 25, 2016 | Bible Study, The Spiritual Life
This psalm is a Davidic lament, but more for its acknowledgement of David’s need for God alone rather than his need for deliverance as so many of the previous laments have exhibited. David’s prayer in these verses is sincere and heartfelt, frequently turning to praise to God for who He is.
Verses 1-3
Pages could be filled with discussion on these first five words.
Lord, I turn to you.
It’s so easy to be distracted from the Lord. Life pulls us in multiple directions. Worry keeps our focus on the problem instead of the Savior. What would happen if I began everyday by turning to the Lord?
Body, soul, and spirit physically and forcibly turning to God. In doing so, I would be turning away from distractions and temptations. I would be turning to hope from worry. Turning to love and away from divisiveness. I would be turning to trust and away from obsessiveness.
David chose to turn away from his problems and place his trust in the Lord. He places his reputation in God’s hands and allows Him to work on any potential fallout. He trusts that the guidance He receives from the Lord is trustworthy and complete to meet his needs.
Verses 4-7
David humbles himself before the Lord. He recognizes he doesn’t have all the answers so he asks God to give him guidance. To show him truth. To help him discern the path he is to take. He calls upon the compassion and love of the Lord and asks these attributes to override his past sins. Of course, we have the reassurance of our sin being washed by Christ’s blood.
Verses 8-11
These four verses echo the last four with one exception. Instead of a prayer to God, they are a proclamation of who God is and what He has done.
- God is good and upright
- He shows sinners the way
- He acts in love and truth
- God forgives sin by His great name
Verses 12-15
These next four verses repeat the same theme, but once again turn the jewel slightly to examine a different facet. David focuses on the requirements for answered prayer. If a man wishes for a good life and wisdom, he must fear the Lord. God attends to those who keep their eyes on Him.
Verses 16-21
Here the lament theme is displayed strongly. David again addresses the Lord. He asks God to turn to him, flipping his pledge in verse 1 to a prayer in verse 16. He admits he is alone and afflicted. His enemies are numerous and he fears being shamed. He commits to God as his refuge and asks for God to come through for him.
Verse 22
This closing verse is unlike any previous closing to a psalm I can recall.
God, redeem Israel, from all its distresses.
This makes me wonder if the final request for this psalm is an afterthought or if it relates to the rest of the psalm? Does David have in mind the words of 2 Chronicles 7:14?
If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
We cannot truly know what was in David’s mind at the time of this writing, but his example of praying on behalf of his country is one we can all emulate. Passages such as 2 Chronicles 7:14 were promises intended solely for the people of Israel, but God still honors prayer on behalf of others today. Intercessory prayer is encouraged throughout Scripture.
Like David, it is important to bring ones requests before the Lord. However, it is also important that we hold our country and neighbors before the Lord as well. We all need His guidance.
This post is Day 25 of the 31 Days of Journaling through the Psalms series. If you would like to read the first post, Psalm 1: The Wise and the Wicked, click here. The introduction to the series can be found here.
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by Donya Dunlap | Oct 24, 2016 | Bible Study, The Spiritual Life
The repetition of this psalm reminds us that these passages were meant to be sung. In fact, if you are familiar with Handel’s Messiah, you may recall the tune he set the last third of the psalm to.
Before we jump into the anthem of praise at the end, we should give time to the basis of praise in the first two sections.
Verses 1-2
God is our Creator. The inventor of every living thing. He holds the patents, the trademark, and the copyrights. Therefore, it is His right to do with His creation as He pleases. We must remember this when His decisions clash with our wishes.
Verses 3-6
Thankfully, our Creator is not beyond our reach. He welcomes us with open arms and encourages us to draw close. The only requirement—clean hands and a pure heart.
Who then is worthy to come before Him? Are we not all sinful creatures failing daily?
Yes. But the key is found in verses 4-5.
Who may stand in His holy place? The one who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not set his mind on what is false, and who has not sworn deceitfully. He will receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
We are all imperfect creatures, but pretending we aren’t is what gets us into trouble.
If we confess our sins He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1 John 1:9
Confession is key to communion. If we are to be in relationship with our Creator, we must seek the cleansing of Christ upon approaching the throne of grace.
Verses 7-10
There is imagery used in the final stanza that is better understood by an art history lesson. When conquering kings, or generals in service to the emperor or king, returned home from battle, they would parade through the city with their army, showing the spoils of their conquest or prisoners of war to the people. On this triumphal march, they would parade under or through an arch depicting various times in the city’s history. Afterwards, their recent exploits would be added to the arch to be remembered in stone forever…or until the next king or general came along and altered the arch. (For a wonderful explanation of the Arch of Constantine, click here to access the Khan Academy video.)
Image: Arch of Constantine – Wikipedia.org
Verses 7-9 are a victory cry, demanding the city prepare to welcome its King. The people are to gather to worship the King as He marches through our midst in celebration. One day this will happen on physical streets, but until Jesus’ return we must offer ourselves to our King in private worship.
David reminds us that we serve a strong and mighty God worthy of our praise and celebration. Open wide the gates of your heart and let the King of Glory in.
This post is Day 24 of the 31 Days of Journaling through the Psalms series. If you would like to read the first post, Psalm 1: The Wise and the Wicked, click here. The introduction to the series can be found here.
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by Donya Dunlap | Oct 23, 2016 | Bible Study, The Spiritual Life
The beautiful imagery of this psalm hearkens back to David’s time as a shepherd—caring for and even willing to endanger his life to protect his flock, just as our heavenly Shepherd did and does for us.
Verses 1-4
The Lord is my Shepherd. There is nothing I lack.
My first instinct when I read verse 1 is to argue. Yes, the Lord is all I need spiritually, but what of bills, food, a home…and hair products! But when I pause and break down what David is saying, I know he is right.
- THE – The Creator of the universe. The One True God.
- LORD – My Master. My Savior. The One deserving of my life.
- IS – Now and forever and before time began.
- MY – Personal. Connected. Committed to me as His daughter.
- SHEPHERD – Guide. Companion. Protector. Provider. Confidant. Friend.
The good Shepherd is not guiding only my soul, but my entire being. He isn’t going to leave me in want—at least not unless depriving me of my wants or needs is what is best for me.
The first four verses describe a peaceful existence of refreshment, of help in times of trouble, and protection from the enemy. If He cares about all of that, surely He cares about the rest of my concerns as well.
Verses 5-6
These verses don’t paint a life of smooth sailing all the time. David still has enemies. But in the presence of those enemies, God provides. In fact, He provides an abundance of blessing. The last verse in the HCSB is different from the version I memorized as a child.
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. – Psalm 23:6 KJV
Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live. – Psalm 23:6 HCSB
The newer translation speaks to me because it takes the focus off me and on to my Shepherd. When I wander away from the flock, His goodness and faithful love chase me down. He will never let me go. His love is an active, possessive love. His forgiveness is deep. His arms open wide. I will be happy to live in His presence forever.
This post is Day 23 of the 31 Days of Journaling through the Psalms series. If you would like to read the first post, Psalm 1: The Wise and the Wicked, click here. The introduction to the series can be found here.
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by Donya Dunlap | Oct 22, 2016 | Bible Study, The Spiritual Life
This psalm of laments goes beyond prophetic, bordering on eerie. It cuts through time and space, recording the words of Christ on the cross and providing a vivid picture of the crucifixion.
Verses 1-5
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? – Psalm 22:1
“Elí, Elí, lemá sabachtháni?” that is, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” – Matthew 27:46
Apart from verse 1, the opening paragraph sounds like a familiar poem from David’s pen. He speaks of crying out to God who is holy despite the seeming silence in response to David’s pain. He reflects upon his forefathers and the rescue God provided them when they needed Him, reminding himself that God will do the same for him.
Verses 6-8
The next passage still speaks of David’s pain while reminding us of the cross. Scorned by men, mocked by the crowd. In the movies, this is where the screen would fade from David’s writing desk to Golgatha.
He relies on the Lord; let Him rescue Him; let the Lord deliver him, since He takes pleasure in Him. – Psalm 22:8
Verses 9-10
Verses 9 and 10 remind me of the cries of Job in his distress. Both men faithful servants of the Lord despite much grief in their lives. It seems the greatest of God’s servants are brought the lowest. Yet another reason why comfort in this life is not a worthy goal to pursue.
Verse 11
This single verse is true to David’s needs, but speaks once again of darkness falling over the cross as the payment for sin was made.
Alone. In Pain. Our Savior suffered much for us. For me.
Verses 12-18
Again, vivid imagery from the cross is painted in these verses. Surrounded by Gentile “dogs.” Every bone disjointed. His heart melting like wax. The thirst, the pierced hands and feet, and the dividing of his garments.
Was David recording a vision? If so, did he understand what he saw? This was written hundreds of years before Rome would come to power and control their empire through fear of crucifixion. Yet, there is no mistaking what scene David is recording.
Verses 19-21
David repeats his oft prayed cry for deliverance. He pleads with God to rescue him from his attackers.
Verses 22-24
David commits his praise to the Lord, calling on all who fear Yahweh to do the same. He rejoices that God listens to those who cry to Him for help.
Verses 25-26
These verses continue David’s praise and his determination to fulfill his vows before the Lord.
Verses 27-31
In closing, David speeds through time to the last days when every knee will bow before the Lord—”even the one who cannot preserve his life.” One day, every child born will know of Jesus. What a glorious day that will be!
This post is Day 22 of the 31 Days of Journaling through the Psalms series. If you would like to read the first post, Psalm 1: The Wise and the Wicked, click here. The introduction to the series can be found here.
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by Donya Dunlap | Oct 21, 2016 | Bible Study, The Spiritual Life
As a person who is always searching for joy, this psalm of thanksgiving is a treasure of insight.
Verses 1-2
David’s first sentence goes straight to the punchline.
Lord, the king finds joy in your strength. How greatly he rejoices in your victory!
Obviously, David has won a battle he is excited about. Possibly the one he worried about in Psalm 20. So this is an answer to prayer and a big win for David as king. But the important thing to take away is not the answer to prayer, but David’s focus on God as the source of his victory.
Yes, he prayed. Yes, he fought. But God did the work. I believe this is why David is so full of joy. He isn’t concerned with himself, how he rates as a leader, or what he could improve for the next battle. I’m all for self evaluation and self improvement, but if we are to find joy we must look to God and shift our focus off ourselves. Praise and thanksgiving are key to this as well as focusing on the attributes of God.
Verses 3-7
This passage takes the set up of the first two verses and exaggerates it. God gives rich blessings, He answers prayer, He gives long life, He gives glory and majesty and joy and love. God is the source of all those things.
David is just a grown up shepherd boy living a dream. He acknowledges God brought him to his position and God continues to grant him life and blessing. The joy doesn’t come from the position or the things. The joy comes from relationship with God. The rest is just frosting.
Verses 8-12
David jumps from the present victory to a future battle where God wipes out His enemies firsthand. There is no mercy for those who intend to harm him. He eliminates them and their family line from the earth.
Verse 13
The psalm closes with a final word of praise.
Be exalted, Lord, in your strength; we will sing and praise your might.
If we are to find joy in our battles, we must look to the Lord as David did—eyes off ourselves and circumstances and on our King who gives all good gifts.
This post is Day 21 of the 31 Days of Journaling through the Psalms series. If you would like to read the first post, Psalm 1: The Wise and the Wicked, click here. The introduction to the series can be found here.
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by Donya Dunlap | Oct 20, 2016 | Bible Study, The Spiritual Life
The notes in my HCSB study Bible say Psalm 20 is an enthronement psalm. This can mean:
- an emphasis on divine kingship and sovereignty
- the celebration of significant events in the life of a king (e.g. – his enthronement, a military victory, or a wedding)
- then overall praise of Yahweh as King.
This particular passage appears to be written as preparation for a battle and then later celebration at its completion.
Verses 1-3
The beginning of the psalm appears to be a blessing prayed over the king, presumably David, despite David being named as the author. Perhaps David is recording the blessing another prayed over him? Verses 1-3 seek the help of Yahweh for protection and sustenance, and a hope that God will remember the king’s faithfulness in offerings and sacrifices in times past.
Verses 4-5
It is the petitioners hope that the king’s desires and purpose will be fulfilled and that the king will return from battle victorious.
Verses 6-9
The closing verses seem to be written at a later time, after the battle was complete. Verse 6 reads,
Now I know that the Lord gives victory to His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven with mighty victories from His right hand.
This indicates that the previous verses were hopeful prayers and the last a confirmation of God’s answer. Of course, it could also be an expression of faith prior to the battle as well, as could be indicated by the request in verse 9:
May He answer us on the day that we call.
This post is Day 20 of the 31 Days of Journaling through the Psalms series. If you would like to read the first post, Psalm 1: The Wise and the Wicked, click here. The introduction to the series can be found here.
To receive email reminders of new posts, please subscribe. As a thank you, you will receive a free ebook, The Wonder Woman’s Manifesto.
