Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

This is radical prayer that moves David spiritually from an overwhelmed heart to the towering Rock of safety. When a person is overwhelmed every problem is exaggerated and the ‘other side of the Jor- dan river’ seems like it is ‘the ends of the earth.’ That is the time to emphasize and exaggerate our prayer life.

“Lead me to the towering rock of safety, for you are my safe refuge, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me.” (2,3)

David had spent his early years roaming the rocky wilderness areas with his father’s flock of sheep. He further advanced his knowledge of the mountainous terrain as Saul’s army pursued him. Now he draws on his life experiences as he evades the army of his son Absalom in the wilderness. When we are overwhelmed we need to get up to a high place: “the rock that is higher than I” to gain perspective. David was using the high, impregnable rocks to explain the safety he felt by having a relationship with his Savior. When we ‘get down’ in prayer we are ‘carried up’ to his fortress of love. There is no doubt in the New Testament who is the eternal rock: “For they all drank from the miraculous rock that traveled with them, and that rock was Christ.”(1 Cor. 10:4) In this difficult time David learned that the physical sanctuary where the people gathered for worship was only a copy of the true, heavenly sanctuary that can be accessed at any time by faith in the Messiah. “For Christ has entered into heaven itself to appear now before God as our Advocate. He did not go into the earthly place of worship, for that was merely a copy of the real Temple in heaven.” (Heb. 9:24) The earthly gathering of God’s people is important but it is not the ultimate. We can access the throne room at any moment in any given location on earth and find safety in the shelter of his wings: “we can boldly enter heaven’s Most Holy Place because of the blood of Jesus...let us go right into the presence of God, with true hearts fully trusting him.” (Heb. 10:19,22) “Let me live forever in your sanctuary, safe beneath the shelter of your wings!” Interlude (4)

II LOVE ME WITH UNFAILING LOVE - 5-8

In the first half of the psalm, David had to ‘get up’ from the valley of emotional overload to the tow- ering rock of strength. In the second half of the psalm, he must ‘get on’ fulfilling the purpose of God for his life.

“For you have heard my vows, O God. You have given me an inheritance reserved for those who fear your name.” (5)

Vows are commitments made to God that are a powerful means of spiritual growth. There is no ad- vancement and inheritance in the kingdom of God without resolve and commitment. One promise that David made was to praise the Lord each day as represented in the last verse of the psalm: “Then I will sing praises to your name as I fulfill my vows day after day.” (8) Being faithful to his commitments to God was a thing of joy to David. In the middle of his life threatening troubles, King David plans and prays for his future. Nothing will irri- tate the enemy more than an optimistic person who looks beyond the present trials to a victorious fu- ture. He thinks in four time dimensions; 1. Years- “Add many years to the life of the king!”(6) It is clear that David planned on winning this contest and living a long life. 2. Generations- “May his years span the generations!”(6) He realized his present actions and at- titudes affected the generations to come. David’s faith was the foundation for the future godly kings of Judah. 3. Eternity- “May he reign under God’s protection forever.” (7) Many people make plans for the du- ration of their life and even provide for future generations of offspring. The most important plan we can make is to spend eternity in heaven with Jesus! These verses are referring not only to King David, but also to Jesus Christ the eternal King who will reign forever.

“Appoint your unfailing love and faithfulness to watch over him.” (7)

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