Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

INTRODUCTION:

“For the choir director: A psalm of David.”

Although this might be explaining a specific event such as Absalom’s rebellion it might well be a description of the ongoing conflict that David experienced as a leader all the days of his life. Those in positions of spiritual authority can be guaranteed that they will be the targets of satanic arrows at some- time in their ministry. It is meant as a public worship song as it was delivered to one of his chief musi- cians in the temple.

I ATTACKING ARROWS - 1-6

“O God, listen to my complaint. Do not let my enemies’ threats overwhelm me.”(1)

It is better to bring our complaints to God rather than let our circumstances turn us into complain- ing people. There are two parties shooting arrows in this psalm, David’s enemies and God. David does not react to their attacks with his own verbal darts but places their vicious words before the Lord in prayer.

“Protect me from the plots of the wicked, from the scheming of those who do evil.” (2)

The Bible is full of examples of how God rescued his chosen persons from the evil plans of the wicked. Daniel was promoted above all the other administrators in the kingdom of Darius the Mede and they conspired against him and devised a plan whereby he would be thrown into a den of lions if he con- tinued praying to his God. The scriptures tell us: “He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.” (Dan. 6:10) It seemed as if the wicked plan would be a success how- ever God preserved Daniel from the lions in the den. The administrators who had plotted against him experienced the fate they had hoped for him: “The lions leaped on them and tore them apart before they even hit the floor of the den.” (Dan. 6:24)

“Sharp tongues are the swords they wield; bitter words are the arrows they aim. They shoot from ambush at the innocent, attacking suddenly and fearlessly.” (3,4)

Evil begins in the heart and it is conceived when it is verbalized. Every action of mankind for good or evil first began with words and then grew into actions. Godly people are usually unaware of the depths of deceit around them and are ambushed by the suddenness of the evil expressed towards them. Joseph was completely ignorant of the plot of his brothers: “When Joseph’s brothers saw him coming, they rec- ognized him in the distance and made plans to kill him. ‘Here comes that dreamer!’ they exclaimed, ‘Come on, let’s kill him and throw him into a deep pit. We can tell our father that a wild animal has eaten him.’”(Gen. 37:18) It seemed like a foolproof plan but God protected Joseph from their arrows! “They encourage each other to do evil and plan how to set their traps. ‘ Who will ever notice?’ they ask. As they plot their crimes, they say, ‘ We have devised the perfect plan!’ Yes, the human heart and mind are cunning.” (5,6) The most sinister ambush in history was the plot to kill the innocent Son of God. “The leading priests and teachers of religious law were actively plotting Jesus’ murder… Then Satan entered in Judas Is- cariot…and he went over to the leading priests and captains of the Temple guard to discuss the best way to betray Jesus to them. They were delighted that he was ready to help them, and they promised him a reward.” (Lk. 22:2-5) Jesus knew the depths of evil that dwelt in the heart and minds of man.

II AVENGING ARROWS - 7-10

“But God himself will shoot them down. Suddenly, his arrows will pierce them.” (7)

We are not to fight our enemies with slanderous words, instead Jesus taught us: “God blesses you when you are mocked and persecuted and lied about because you are my followers. Be happy about

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