This is the first psalm with a known author. The heading tells us that David wrote this while fleeing from his son, Absalom. Imagine holding a newborn in your arms, raising him to be a man, and have him turn against you so violently that he seeks to kill you. I can’t comprehend the grief and conflicting emotions he must have been feeling while writing these lyrics!
Verses 1-2
This song is considered a lament. David begins by crying out to the Lord, bringing his situation before the throne in honest prayer. He quotes those around him who say,
There is no help for him in God.
The situation looks hopeless, but David knows better.
Verses 3-4
The next verses confirm David’s trust in God. God’s protection enables us to see thousands against us and still move through our fear. David writes that God is his shield, glory, and the lifter of his head. What a beautiful picture! The Lord gently cups David’s chin and pulls him to look into His eyes. Eyes that say, “I love you. I am with you. I understand your sorrow I know what it feels like to be rejected. You are not alone!”
God is still doing this today. He lifts up our head in love, begging us to meet His tender gaze. Urging us to cling to Him in our sorrow. Giving peace when we do.
God's protection enables us to see thousands against us and still move through our fear. Click To TweetVerses 5-6
Verses 5 and 6 are a testimony of God’s peace in troubled times. When I am worried, I lie awake for hours listening to my anxious thoughts. David did not. David trusted God to help him. Trust that made his sleep sweet.
Perhaps there were nights when David wished he wouldn’t wake from sleep. I can certainly understand the weariness of grief that promotes such thoughts. Perhaps he dreamt of this being the night Absalom murdered him. Either way, God took David’s fear and sustained him for another day. He will do the same for us if we allow Him to take our fears as well.
Verses 7-8
David again calls out for God to rescue him acknowledging that “salvation belongs to the Lord.” He closes the passage seeking God’s blessing on the righteous.
We often read blessing and think wealth. I don’t believe David did. I believe the salvation and the blessing are linked. We are blessed when we develop an intimate relationship with God. His presence is our security. His salvation in times of distress is connected to the peace derived from His presence. He does deliver those who love Him from their enemies, but not often immediately. We must learn, as David did, to trust Him in the trial.
We are blessed when we develop an intimate relationship with God. Click To TweetThis post is Day 3 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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