Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

and inherited a snake-like nature, we can turn to the one who was lifted up on the cross to give us his life of victory and rejoicing.

1 Boyce 2 Keil & Delitzsch

PSALM 59: I WILL SING OF YOUR POWER Surrounded by Vicious Dogs

This is perhaps the earliest of all the Psalms of David that are related to his flight from his father-in- law, King Saul. It is the musical rendition of his escape from his own house as Saul’s soldiers waited to kill him. He likens the experience to being surrounded by vicious dogs and after his deliverance he sings of God’s power in the morning. The Father, Son and Holy Spirit are foreshadowed in verse 5 by an ad- dress to the three-fold name of God. It starts with David ‘crying out’ and ends with him ‘singing out’. It is divided into three sections:

I GOD RESCUES ME- 1-5 II GOD REIGNS IN ISRAEL- 6-13 III GOD IS MY REFUGE- 14-17

INTRODUCTION:

“For the choir director: A Psalm of David, regarding the time Saul sent soldiers to watch David’s house in order to kill him. To be sung to the tune “Do Not Destroy!”

This is one of the most specific introductions in all of the psalms and points to the dramatic story in 1 Samuel 19:11-17. “Then Saul sent troops to watch David’s house. They were told to kill David when he came out the next morning. But Michal, David’s wife, warned him, ‘If you don’t get away tonight, you will be dead by morning.’ So she helped him climb out through a window, and he escaped.” (1 Sam. 19:11,12) Michal knew her father well and she bought time for her husbands escape by placing an idol with goat’s hair in his bed. Saul had the soldiers carry the bed to his palace to kill David and there dis- covered the charade: “’ Why have you tricked me and let my enemy escape?’ Saul demanded of Michal.” Michal, like her brother Jonathan, lied to her father to protect her own life as well as David’s: “ ‘I had to,’ Michal replied. ‘He threatened to kill me if I didn’t help him. “ (1 Sam. 19:17) The intercessory nature of the psalm is accented by the tune, “Do Not Destroy.” It is a song to pre- serve life and promote praise. Jesus stated: “The thief’s purpose is to steal and kill and destroy. My pur- pose is to give life in all its fullness.”(Jn. 10:10)

I GOD RESCUES ME – 1-5

• “Rescue me from my enemies, O God.” (1) • “Protect me from those who have come to destroy me.” (1)

• “Rescue me from these criminals; (2) • “save me from these murderers.” (2)

David is surrounded on all sides by growling soldiers who are about to kill him. He does the unex- pected by picking up his harp and singing out his prayer. This song is done in the present tense, it is hap- pening as he sings. This is a lesson in faith that we should never forget, worship and praise can take place on the spiritual battlefields of our lives. Who can blame him for beginning with these four pas- sionate pleas against his enemies who are criminals and murderers? He continues: They have set an ambush for me. Fierce enemies are out there waiting, though I have done them no wrong, O Lord. Despite my innocence, they prepare to kill me. Rise up and help me! Look on my plight! (3,4)

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