Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

2. My Instructor- “…who trains my hands for war, my fingers for battle.” (NIV) The literal transla- tion of this verse refers to David’s hands and fingers. Later in verse 9 of this Psalm, he refers to the ten- stringed instrument that corresponds to the human hand. God not only instructed him in physical battle but in playing his instrument in a victorious song! 3. My Loving Ally- “…my loving ally…” Everyone needs ‘allies’ when fighting spiritual battles; to have one who loves you is a double benefit. This Hebrew word is used nowhere else in the Bible. David has experienced a new and unique relationship with God in this moment of worship that is available for all believers in Christ. 4. My Fortress- “…and my fortress…” This refers to the massive castle that encompassed the city of Jerusalem during David’s reign. God encompassed all the activities of his everyday life. 5. My Tower of Safety- “…my tower of safety…” This is the ‘stronghold’ tower within the fortress where people could retreat when the city walls were over run by their enemies. Our inner life is guarded by Jesus; “His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:7) 6. My Deliver- “…my deliverer. ” This is a repeated theme in the psalms; Yahweh the warrior de- livers his people from those who are stronger than they. 7. My Shield- “He stands before me as a shield…” The presence of God becomes our defense in times of spiritual attack; singing these words with faith repels the accusations of the enemy! “In every battle you will need faith as your shield to stop the fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan.” (Eph. 6:16) 8. My Refuge- “…I take refuge in him. ” Protection does not come from a ‘place’ but the ‘person’, Christ Jesus. 9. My Conqueror- “He subdues nations under me.” This is not only a forced subjection; it also means that God brings people into order under his appointed rulers. David also subdued the warring na- tions round about him: “After this, David subdued and humbled the Philistines…the Lord made David victorious wherever he went.” (2 Sam. 8:1, 14) This verse is also prophetic of the Messiah and how he will conquer the nations with his truth and love: “For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet.” (1 Cor. 15:25) “O Lord, what are mortals that you should notice us, mere humans that you should care for us? For we are like a breath of air; our days are like a passing shadow.” (3, 4) Verse 3 is a copy of Psalm 8:5 that is a prophetic scripture concerning Jesus, ‘the son of man.’ Two Hebrew words are used to describe mankind: ‘Adam [mortals] denotes his origin as being made from the dust of the ground…Enosh [mere humans] has regard to his infirmities, as physically mortal.’ 2 Verse four emphasizes how brief life is, likening it to the inhaling and exhaling of a single breath and the short duration of a shadow during the course of a day. The point of this verse is not mans frailty compared with God’s strength, but that God cares so much for us who are so different than himself. “Bend down the heavens, Lord, and come down. Touch the mountains so they billow smoke. Re- lease your lightning bolts and scatter your enemies! Release your arrows and confuse them! Reach down from heaven and rescue me; deliver me from deep waters, from the power of my enemies.” (5-7) Because of his frailty ‘the King prays for a Theophany [God appearing in human form].’ 3 He is pray- ing in a heavenly realm; ‘Let the entire heavenly world of power bow down,’ 4 These same words appear in Psalm 18 as a description of God coming down to rescue David but here he restates them as a prayer. Jesus ultimately answered the request when he came from heaven in the form of a man; “He made himself nothing; he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form. And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross.” (Phil.2:7) II SCATTER YOUR ENEMIES - 5-8 Warfare from Above

“Their mouths are full of lies; they swear to tell the truth, but they lie.” (8)

This verse is repeated in verse 11 revealing the true heart of his enemies. They not only lie about him, but they further condemn themselves by affirming they are telling the truth. This happened at the trial of Jesus: “…the leading priests and the entire high council were trying to find witnesses who would lie about Jesus, so they could put him to death. But even though they found many who agreed to give false witness, there was no testimony they could use.” (Mt. 26:59, 60)

388