Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

to protect them from Satan who is a murderer and destroyer: “Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can take new courage, for we can hold on to his promise with confidence.” (Heb. 6:18)

When David prayed, “You are all I really want in life” he was praying the priestly prayer of the Levites who were the tribe set apart to minister to the Lord. God had promised a special relationship with them: “…You priests will receive no inheritance of land or share of property among the people of Israel. I am you inheritance and your share.” (Num. 19:20) That ‘special’ relationship is now available to all who love the Lord Jesus. This psalm is the emotional prelude to Psalm 143 where David goes to the lowest depths of depression. Here he says: “…I am very low.” In Psalm 143:7 he confesses; “…my depression deep- ens.” The reason he experienced extreme valleys of despair was the relentless pursuit of Saul’s large army; the pressure never let up and yet it drove David deeper into God’s grace. “Anything which leads us to cry unto God is a blessing to us.’ 4 There is no account of David ever being in a literal prison but there were certainly figurative pris- ons of despondency. The cave that protected David also imprisoned him in dark silence where fears and nightmares could mingle themselves with reality. God brought him out of this prison of silence and un- belief with a song of praise. Delitzsch translates “The godly will crowd around me” as: ‘on account of me (David), the righteous shall adorn themselves as with crowns’, in other words ‘shall triumph.’ 5 David did triumph over the in- cident at the cave and emerged to have the nation crowd around and crown him as their king: “Then Judah’s leaders came to David and crowned him king over the tribe of Judah.” (2 Sam. 2:4) Just as David triumphed over the dungeon of despair through God’s praise and was eventually crowned King; his personal victory brought success to his godly followers who also put on their victor’s crown and re- ceived the benefits of God’s kindness. Centuries later Jesus would overcome the cave, the tomb of death and arise with a song of triumph. The godly now crowd around putting on their crowns of victory and singing his praise! “…the crown of righteousness that the Lord,…will give me on that great day of his return.” (2 Tim. 4:8) “Bring me out of prison so I can thank you. The godly will crowd around me, for you treat me kindly.” (7)

1 Spurgeon 2 Spurgeon 3 Spence 4 Spurgeon 5 Keil & Delitzsch

PSALM 143: UNFAILING LOVE IN THE MORNING Comforted by the Holy Spirit

This is the last of four psalms (140-143) that share the anguish of David’s heart as he faces a cri- sis in his life. It is the lowest emotional point of the four as it was written from the inner cave of his soul yet it bounces back with strong flavors of optimism. It is ‘very unsymmetrical’ 1 in its poetic form which is typical of people who are depressed and disoriented; it might very well be the ‘low tide’ of the psyche of David’s psalms. It is a song emphasizing the Holy Spirit and it is pointing to the intimate relationship that the New Testament believer can have with him. In this psalm the author is comforted by Holy Spirit’s presence, instructed by his wisdom, empowered to sing of his love and saved by his faithful purposes. The psalm is divided by one ‘Interlude’ [Selah]:

I LISTEN TO MY PLEA - 1-6, Looking In and Backwards [Interlude] II LEAD ME FORWARD - 7-12, Looking Up and Forward

INTRODUCTION:

“A psalm of David”

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