Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

This phrase, repeated in verse 11 means “exalt yourself, O God 3 …’ Our praise and exaltation does not elevate God to the highest place in the universe, it only affirms that which is already true. Our exal- tations are excited acknowledgments of who he is and what he is able to do. David’s faith is awakened to greater levels of confidence as he sings God’s magnificent praise. This verse, placed between two others describing his desperate circumstances, reminds us to exalt God in the middle of the problems we face.

“My enemies have set a trap for me. I am weary from distress. They have dug a deep pit in my path, but they themselves have fallen into it. Interlude” (6)

The trap (net) and the pit were both methods of catching lions. God delivered David from the lions just as he preserved Daniel centuries later. Daniel answered King Xerxes of Persia as he came early in the morning to the lions den; “My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt

me for I have been found innocent in his sight.” (Daniel 6:22) Innocence is the best protection from the lions of destruction.

III THE SONG FOR THE WORLD - 7-11

Up until this moment this has been an evening prayer, now the character changes as the truths of God’s faithfulness and love dawn in the heart of David into a morning psalm. A new song is about to ex- plode upon the entire universe! 1. Praise Awakens the Heart- “My heart is confident in you, O God; no wonder I can sing your praises!” (7) This song begins in the heart, the spiritual core of the person who has been liberated by knowing the truth about God. ‘Calm, firm, happy and resolute’ is the inner condition mentioned here. 2. Praise Awakens the Soul- “Wake up, my soul!” (8) This confidence in the heart awakens the other faculties of the soul to praise and action. Worship can ignite a spiritual awakening that affects the intellect, the emotions and the will. 3. Praise Awakens the Musical Instruments- “Wake up, O harp and lyre!” (8) In reality the instru- ments were never asleep, the desire to play them was not there until God’s love gave birth to a new song. Where there is spiritual renewal there is a desire for many to learn or re-learn musical instruments. The rabbis are quoted in Delitzchs commentary: ‘A cithern used to hang above David’s bed; and when mid- night came, the north wind blew among the strings so that they sounded of themselves; and forthwith he arose and busied himself with the Tora (law) until the pillar of the dawn ascended.’ ‘The dawn awakes the other kings; but I, said David, will awake the dawn 4 .’ 4. Praise Awakens the Day- “I will waken the dawn with my song.” (8) As a young boy I would rise each morning before dawn to practice the piano in the bar of my Father’s golf course in Gearhart, Ore- gon. Many times the sun would come up as I played the little Wurlitzer piano. Those who love God should rise up each day with a song. In the era of recorded music we can all play worship music even if we are not a musician or singer. 5. Praise Awakens the People of God- “I will thank you, Lord, in front of all the people.” (9) Most likely this was the congregation of the believers in God. The song must fill the church before it can shine as a light to the world. Wherever there is spiritual life in the church there will be exuberant singing and praise. 6. Praise Awakens the Nations- “I will sing your praises among the nations.”(9) David’s words of praise are destined to touch every continent of the world and all of the earth will be filled with their sound: “After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb…they were shouting with a mighty shout, ‘Salvation comes from our God on the throne and from the Lamb!’” (Rev. 7:9,10) 7. Praise Awakens the Heavens- “For your unfailing love (mercy) is as high as the heavens. Your faithfulness (truth) reaches to the clouds. “ (10) The unfailing love and faithfulness that was sent down to earth in verse 3 is now celebrated and returned to heaven in a song of praise. The veil between heaven and earth was forever severed by the sacrifice of Christ on the cross and we have access to this unseen realm of God’s Holiest Place each time we worship; “And suddenly, the thick veil hanging in the Temple was torn apart.” (Lk. 23:45)

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