Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

Joab was bloodthirsty for revenge when he murdered Abner. His hand concealed a dagger as he wickedly schemed to kill David’s general. Recab and Baanah sought a bribe for their murder of Ish- bosheth. David prayed that he would be distanced from such men and their guilt. Even Pilate sought in- nocence in the crucifixion of Jesus although he never experienced it: “ So he sent for a bowl of water and washed his hands before the crowd, saying, ‘I am innocent of the blood of this man…”(Mt. 27:24) Iron- ically, only the blood of ‘that man’ Jesus could make Pilate innocent.

“ But I am not like that; I do what is right. So in your mercy, save me. I have taken a stand, and I will publicly (in the great assembly, NIV) praise the Lord.”(11,12)

This psalm ends where it begins, with a resolve to serve God wholeheartedly and a plea for re- demption and mercy. A clear conscience can make strong petitions to God and place us on a firm foun- dation of faith. The ‘ great assembly ’ might refer to the feasts of Passover, Pentecost and Tabernacles where all of Israel assembled each year for prayer, sacrifice and celebration. These were great gather- ings involving tens of thousands of people. The last festival, the Festival of Shelters (Tabernacles) was the most joyous of all: “ This festival will be a happy time of rejoicing with your family and servants, and with the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows from your towns. For seven days celebrate this fes- tival to honor the lord your God at the place he chooses, for it is the Lord your God who gives you boun- tiful harvests and blesses all your work. This festival will be a time of great joy for all.”(Deut. 16:14,15) The ultimate great assembly will be in heaven when we gather together with all of the ‘blameless ones’ of the ages to worship the Lord forever! “ After this I saw a vast crowd, too great to count, from every nation and tribe and people and language, standing in front of the throne and before the Lamb…And they fell face down before the throne and worshiped God.” (Rev. 7:9,11)

PSALM 27: THE LORD IS MY LIGHT Living with Courage in a Dark World

This beautiful and familiar psalm expresses David’s confidence in the Lord even when armies are attacking him. He experiences the graciousness and guidance of God as he worships in his temple. Jesus is seen in the psalm as the Light of the World. The first part of the psalm (1-6) expresses faith and assurance while the second (7-14) reveals the deep spiritual struggles of prayer. Some have contended that the second part was a later addition of various authors 1 . It is outlined as:

I THE LORD IS MY LIGHT - 1-3 II LIVING IN THE HOUSE OF THE LORD - 4-6 III LISTEN TO MY PLEADING - 7-10 IV LEAD ME - 11-14

It is traditionally thought that this psalm was written in remembrance of the rebellion of Absalom as his armies surrounded David. One other possibility provides a framework for the events of this song; 1 Samuel 23:8-14 where Saul gathered his entire army to come against David in the city of Keilah. “ So Saul mobilized his entire army to march to Keilah and attack David and his men.”(1 Sam. 23:8) David was warned by the Lord to flee the city and he escaped the trap of death. “ So David and his men…left Keilah and began roaming the countryside…Saul hunted him day after day, but God didn’t let him be found.” (1 Sam. 23:13,14) Whatever the occasion of it’s writing, this psalm shines brilliantly among the compositions of David.

INTRODUCTION :

“ A Psalm of David ”

This is one of 17 psalms that share this simple title.

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