Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven.” (Mt. 5:44, 45)

In this passage David asks for horrible judgments upon his enemies such as coals of fire raining from heaven as a volcano spews out molten lava. In the New Testament, the coals of fire represent the kind- ness we are to show our enemies: “On the contrary: ‘If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.’ Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Rom. 12:20, 21NIV) Coals of fire on their heads ‘represents the shame and confusion which men feel when their evil is requited by good.’ 5 We are to ‘drown the evil in the good.’ 6 There is a natural punishment that arises out of evil and here David might be inferring to the ulti- mate judgment of the fires and pit of hell; a terrifying reality to all who refuse the mercy of God: “And any- one whose name was not found recorded in the Book of Life was thrown into the lake of fire.” (Rev. 20:15) “But I know the Lord will surely help those they persecute; he will maintain the rights of the poor. Surely the godly are praising your name, for they will live in your presence.” (12, 13) David is reaffirming God’s unchanging spiritual law to always help the persecuted and poor. He is tapping into New Testament realities as taught by Jesus: “God blesses those who realize their need for him, (the poor in spirit, NIV) for the Kingdom of Heaven is given to them.” “God blesses those who are persecuted because they live for God.” (Mt. 5:3, 10) The prayer that began in desperation ends in de- light. Even the relentless bombardment of lies, evil plans and attempts to kill him have not diminished David’s resolve to praise Yahweh Adonai and live before him in a happy state of mind. ‘How high have we climbed in the Psalm–from being hunted by evil man to dwelling in the divine presence; so does faith upraise the saint from the lowest depths to heights of peaceful repose. 7 V PRAISING YOUR NAME - 12, 13 Evil Defeated

1 Kraus 2 Keil & Delitzsch 3 Keil & Delitzsch 4 Spence 5 Harrison, page 211 6 Robertson, heading “Romans 12:21” 7 Spurgeon

PSALM 141: MY PRAYER AS INCENSE Discovering Spiritual Reality

This psalm was written in the middle of a deep crisis where David is being pursued for his life. He discovers in a greater measure the spiritual nature of the Kingdom of God, the power of prayer and the underlying meaning of sacrifice. It is very close in content to the difficult circumstances being sung about in Psalms 140, 142 and 143. ‘The ancient church, even prior to the time of Gregory had chosen it for its evening hymn, just as it had chosen Ps. 63 for its morning hymn.’ 1 Spurgeon says; ‘In its commence- ment the psalm is lighted up with the evening glow as the incense rises to heaven; then comes a night of language whose meaning we cannot see; and this gives place to morning light in which our eyes are unto the Lord.’ 2 This is very colorful and descriptive poetry that corresponds to the desperate moments in which it was written. It moves quickly through the brief sections of its outline:

I LISTEN WHEN I CRY - 1, 2 II KEEP MY LIPS SEALED - 3, 4 III LET THE GODLY STRIKE ME - 5 IV LEADERS THROWN DOWN - 6, 7

Desperate Prayer Don’t Let me Share Don’t Let Me Refuse It Deeds of the Wicked Don’t Let Them Kill Me

V LET ME ESCAPE - 8-10

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