Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

The distant parallels with Calvary are heard in this verse when Christ died alone for the rebellion of the entire human race. Again the immediate circumstances of David’s life paint a prophetic picture of the greater son of David who was to come. The master poet presents his life as a ‘broken-down wall …’ and a ‘tottering fence’ compared to the Lord who is a ‘rock’ and a ‘fortress.’ This is a fitting contrast be- tween fallen human nature and the incorruptible divine nature of Christ our Rock.

They plan to topple me from my high position. They delight in telling lies about me. They are friendly to my face, but they curse me in their hearts.” Interlude (Selah)

This is the worst of situations. David must wait quietly and alone while there are lies being told about him and evil plans developing to destroy his life. Even his supposed friends are making pretense and lying to his face while joining the rebellion behind his back. But God never asks us to wait in a vacuum. This psalm teaches us to pick up a harp and sing to the Lord (today we have the luxury of recordings!) and declare him to be the strength of our life. We are to take an ‘Interlude’ (Selah) and let the music of the Holy Spirit refresh and restore our levels of courage! II INTIMACY - 5-8 David Looks to His Savior

“I wait quietly before God, for my hope is in him. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress where I will not be shaken. (6,7)

There is complete resignation in the heart of David as his faith goes to an even deeper level. This is al- most exactly like verse 1 with a slight variation. In verse 1 he waits for the Lord to bring him salvation; in this verse, he waits not for the benefit of salvation but he hopes for God alone. It is right to ask for sal- vation but it is also wise to ask for ‘him’ no matter what the outcome might be. The narrower our focus on him becomes, the greater are our options for his deliverance. David repeats the opening chorus of the song with a slight change; the ‘I will never be shaken…’ becomes ‘I will not be shaken.’ Perhaps he means in the second rendering, ‘I will not allow shaking experiences to ‘shake’ me.

“My salvation and my honor come from God alone. He is my refuge, a rock where no enemy can reach me.” (7)

A person who is totally dependent upon God is totally independent of man for both his deliverance from troubles and the advancing of an honorable life. David has discovered that no outward circum- stance can penetrate the spiritual refuge he has found in the eternal Rock. Though he is surrounded and a fugitive he feels completely secure.

“O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge. Interlude (Selah) (8)

David is a thoughtful king as he considers the level of fear that his subjects who have followed him must be experiencing. He shows them how to handle the crisis they mutually share: • Decide to trust- Trusting is a choice and God makes our options easy; “trust in him at all times.” This is the first discipline of the spiritual person. • Pour out your fear - God is realistic and he expects us to be honest with our feelings. We must empty ourselves of our anxiety in prayer to make room for the promises and comfort of the Holy Spirit. • Declare your faith- It is important to recite the promises God has given us in his word as it em- anates with spiritual power when we quote it! Jesus himself used this in his temptation in the wilderness: “’Get out of here, Satan,’ Jesus told him. ‘For the Scriptures say, “You must worship the Lord your God; serve only him.”’” (Mt. 3:10) • Interlude- (Selah, see Psalm 3) The accepted meaning of this word describes a musical pause where the worshiper can meditate and digest the previous words. Imagine David’s army resting around the campfire as their legendary leader is singing to them these encouraging words. Absalom’s army is only a short distance away nervously preparing for the battle the next day.

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