Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

2. Empty Yourself of Negatives- “Have you rejected us, O God? will you no longer march with our armies?”(10)

After settling the ‘who’ question, David must empty himself of negative fears that will cancel his abil- ity to believe. He must overcome his feelings of rejection and abandonment by replacing them with the promises of God.

3. Rely Totally Upon God- “Oh, please help us against our enemies, for all human help is useless.” (11)

Not relying on our own abilities gives us access to God’s unlimited strength. Putting confidence in human resources greatly narrows our options.

4. Personalize His Promises- “With God’s help we will do mighty things, for he will trample down our foes.” (12)

The final reaction to the prophetic scriptures is to make them our own by repeating them in a personal way and putting them into action with confidence and expectation. Notice he does not say; ‘we will do mighty things’ but he qualifies his faith: “With God’s help we will do mighty things, for HE will trample down our foes.” (12) This is the mystery of divine co-operation, God helps our small efforts to be mighty. We are involved but the source of power is always derived from him. We are not told ‘how’ David con- quered the impregnable city but we know for certain ‘who’ helped him bounce back and march tri- umphantly into Petra!

1 Keil & Delitzsch, page 195 2 Boice, page 499

PSALM 61: LEAD ME TO THE ROCK Living in His Shadow

This psalm was most likely composed by David in the wilderness as he fled from his son Absalom. It strikes a chord in the hearts of those who have been separated from everything that is familiar and dear to them. David discovers that God’s sanctuary and ‘wings’ are not physical but relational as he en- counters the Lord at the ‘ends of the earth’ as well as the ‘entrance of the sanctuary’. The Psalm is di- vided by one Interlude. (Selah)

I LEAD ME TO THE ROCK- 1-4 Interlude II LOVE ME WITH UNFAILING LOVE- 5-8

INTRODUCTION:

“For the choir director: A psalm of David, to be accompanied by stringed instruments.”

David loved the harp and was a renowned musician and composer in Israel. His music was filled with spiritual power as evidenced by his playing before Saul in his early years: “…The son of Jesse is a talented harp player…And whenever the tormenting spirit from God troubled Saul, David would play the harp. Then Saul would feel better, and the tormenting spirit would go away.”(1 Sam. 16:18,23) Now David plays for his own tormented and overwhelmed heart until he is filled with a new song of praise.

I LEAD ME TO THE ROCK - 1-4

“O God, listen to my cry! Hear my prayer! From the ends of the earth, I will cry to you for help, for my heart is overwhelmed.”(1,2)

148