Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

David composed this psalm long before he was the king and Jerusalem was filled with praises from the directors of the temple music. Years later, he hands it to his polished musicians to arrange and sing to the entire nation and world. It is best not to destroy and discount the earlier experiences upon which our later life will be built. He wrote this from one of two caves; Adullam, where he hid his family and sol- diers while he was a fugitive or En-Gedi, where he had the opportunity to kill Saul. The events at the cave of En-Gedi recounted in 1 Samuel 24 best fit this psalm. It is recorded that Saul and 3,000 soldiers were hunting David in the wilderness of En-Gedi and “where the road passes some sheepfolds, Saul went into a cave to relieve himself.” (24:3) David and his men were hiding there and they urged him to kill Saul. David crept up behind him and cut off a piece of his garment. “But then David’s conscience began bothering him because he had cut Saul’s robe. ‘The Lord knows I shouldn’t have done it,’ … ‘It is a serious thing to attack the Lord’s anointed one, for the Lord himself has chosen him.’ So David sharply rebuked his men and did not let them kill Saul.” (24:4-7) After Saul had left the cave David came out and confronted him: “Look, my father, at what I have in my hand. It is a piece of your robe! I cut it off, but I didn’t kill you. This proves that I am not trying to harm you and that I have not sinned against you, even though you have been hunting for me to kill me.” (1 Sam. 24:11) Saul became very emotional and acknowledged the kindness that David showed him: “You are a better man than I am, for you have repaid me good for evil.” (1 Sam. 24:17) He returned to his home and David returned to his stronghold.

I THE SHADOW OF YOUR WINGS - 1-3

“Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy! I look to you for protection. I will hide beneath the shadow of your wings until this violent storm is past.” (1)

Like the twin Psalm 56, this song begins with a cry for mercy but in double measure. The situa- tion is so serious that only a double portion of this precious commodity will be able to see David through to victory. He then appeals to the imagery of God as a mother bird, hiding beneath his wings for pro- tection. Jesus spoke to the city of Jerusalem centuries later in the same way: “How often I have wanted to gather your children together as a hen protects her chicks beneath her wings, but you wouldn’t let me.”(Mt. 23:37) Psalm 91:4 develops this imagery to its sharpest focus: “He will shield you with his wings. He will shelter you with his feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. The ‘feathers of God’ become impenetrable body armor in the spiritual realm.

“I cry out to God Most High, to God who will fulfill his purpose for me.”(2)

This exalted name for God, “Elohim, Elyon” is used only here and in Psalm 78:56 describing Is- rael’s foolish rebellion: “They rebelled against the Most High…” The Supreme Being of the Universe, the Most High authority of heaven will accomplish his plan for our lives even if we are being pursued by vast, hostile armies.

“He will send help from heaven to save me, rescuing me from those who are out to get me. (Inter- lude/Selah) My God will send forth his unfailing love and faithfulness.”(3)

Help and rescue are on the way so David takes an ‘Interlude/Selah’ in the cave. As mentioned in Psalm 3, an ‘Interlude/selah’ is a time to listen to the music and reflect on the goodness, the promises and love of God. “God’s ‘unfailing love’ (mercy) is there to comfort the psalmist and his ‘faithfulness’ (truth) is there to confound his enemies 1 .”

II THE SWORD OF THE WICKED - 4-6

“I am surrounded by fierce lions who greedily devour human prey–whose teeth pierce like spears and arrows, and whose tongues cut like swords.” (4)

Being trapped by Saul’s army was like being surrounded by the fierce lions that inhabited the caves of Adullam and En-Gedi. One of the translations of this verse is ‘I lie down with flaming ones…’ refer- ring to the burning desire that lions have to devour their prey. This part is a ‘evening psalm’ where David feels more secure among lions than he does among men 2 . He is soon to awake to a new song.

“Be exalted, O God, above the highest heavens! May your glory shine over all the earth.” (5)

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