Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

“And now in my old age, don’t set me aside. Don’t abandon me when my strength is failing. For my enemies are whispering against me. They are plotting together to kill me. They say, ‘God has aban- doned him. Let’s go and get him, for there is no one to help him now.’”(9-11) The great fears of old age are addressed here; no purpose for living, no one to care for us and de- teriorating health. David’s strength was failing; “Now King David was very old, and no matter how many blankets covered him, he could not keep warm.” (1 Kgs. 1:1) In this vulnerable time of his life his son secretly conspires to take the throne… ”Adonijah has become the new king, and you do not even know about it.”(1 Kgs. 1:18)

“O God, don’t stay away. My God, please hurry to help me. Bring disgrace and destruction on those who accuse me. May humiliation and shame cover those who want to harm me.” (12,13)

Prayer spiritually insulates us from evil. When we pray God’s closeness becomes a source of de- struction and humiliation to our adversaries.

II PRAISE AND PROCLAMATION - 14-24

Seven times in the psalm David resolves to proclaim what God has done for him. He also praises and sings to God seven times the number of fullness and completion in the Bible. He is nearing the completion of the earthly mission of his life. One of the main purposes for the mature years is to tell to tell the next generation of the Lord’s faithfulness and the wonders of the salvation he has provided. 1. Proclaiming his glory- (from verse 8) “I declare your glory all day long.” The action is described: ‘declaring his glory’ as well as the duration: “all day long.” Proclaiming is a full time job.

2. Proclaiming his righteousness- “But I will keep on hoping for you to help me; I will praise you more and more. I will tell everyone about your righteousness.” (14,15)

The older generation is to be an example of hope no matter what situation may arise. Just as a sym- phony crescendos and gets louder at the ending, those who are nearing their last years should increase the volume and frequency of their adoration of Christ. Jacob entered the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11 for this very reason: “It was by faith that Jacob, when he was old and dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons and bowed in worship as he leaned on his staff (his old age).” (Heb. 11:21)

3. Proclaiming his saving power- “All day long I will proclaim your saving power, for I am over- whelmed by how much you have done for me. (15)

This was the passion of Paul’s life: “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes–“(Rom. 1:15) If we become overwhelmed by his kindness we will not be overwhelmed by the problems of life.

4. Proclaiming his goodness and justice- “I will praise your mighty deeds, O Sovereign Lord. I will tell everyone that you alone are just and good.” (16)

Praise and proclamation are again mentioned together. ‘Everyone’ becomes the scope of who is to be told about the goodness of God.

5. Proclaiming the wonderful things he does- “O God, you have taught me from my earliest child- hood, and I have constantly told others about the wonderful things you do.” (17)

This phrase appears only in this psalm; ‘the taught of Yahweh.’ It is reflective of God’s ability to teach us the meaning of scripture through the help of the Holy Spirit. Jesus had been taught the Scriptures from his childhood and eagerly shared its treasures with others. As a young boy of twelve years he stayed behind in the Temple at Jerusalem when his family was returning from the Passover Feast. When they found him… ”He was in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, discussing deep questions

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