Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

“ But they are glad now that I am in trouble; they gleefully join together against me. I am attacked by people I don’t even know; they hurl slander at me continually. They mock me with the worst kind of pro- fanity, and they snarl at me. How long, O Lord, will you look on and do nothing? Rescue me from their fierce attacks. Protect my life from these lions! “(15-17) Malicious words can be more wounding than swords or arrows. David identifies the verbal attacks as coming from the lions, representing the kingdom of evil. If we are going to overcome the enemy and fulfill the will of God, we must know how to win the war of words with our praises. No one can defeat your ‘will’ to praise him!

“ Then…I will thank you in front of the entire congregation. I will praise you before all the people.”(18)

A king that praises will result in a kingdom of praise. Whatever our role is as a leader and influ- encer; a shepherd, a father, mother, teacher, we can set an example for those who follow us.

III. WORSHIPFUL PRAYER - 19-28

This last section has a calmer tone as David enters more deeply into prayer and trust of God. It is accented by six ‘don’ts’:

1. “ Don’t let my treacherous enemies rejoice over my defeat.

2. “ Don’t let those who hate me without cause gloat over my sorrow.” (19) These words quoted by Christ describe the hostility we as Christians will sometimes face in this life. “ They don’t talk of peace; they plot against innocent people who are minding their own business. They shout that they have seen me doing wrong. ‘Aha,’ they say. ‘Aha!’ With our own eyes we saw him do it!’ O Lord, you know all about this.”(20-22) David experienced many false accusations from King Saul.

3. “ Do not stay silent.” (22)

4. “ Don’t abandon me know, O Lord. Wake up! Rise to my defense! Take up my case, my God and my Lord. Declare me ‘not guilty,’ O Lord my God, for you give me justice.”(22-24) David employs legal language here, he pleads for his day in the courts of God’s eternal justice.

5. “ Don’t let my enemies laugh about me in my troubles.” (24)

6. “ Don’t let them say, ‘Look! We have what we wanted! Now we will eat him alive!’”(25)

And again David prays in parallel meter in his song:

“ May those who rejoice at my troubles be humiliated and disgraced. May those who triumph over me be covered with shame and dishonor.”(26)

“ But give great joy to those who have stood with me in my defense. Let them continually say, ‘Great is the Lord, who enjoys helping his servant.” (27)

Those who stood with David during his time of injustice now join him in the moments of his triumph. The psalm ends with the final two determinations to praise and publish the greatness of his God.

“ Then…I will tell everyone of your justice and goodness, and……I will praise you ALL DAY LONG!” (28)

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