Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

Some event happened in the middle of David’s life when he was prosperous and secure that shat- tered his world and caused him deep distress. Most likely it was the sin with Bathsheba and the sub- sequent tragedies in his family including the rebellion of his son Absalom. He was at ease in his life and did not go to war with his troops that spring: “ But David stayed behind in Jerusalem. Late one afternoon David got out of bed after taking a nap and went for a stroll on the roof of his palace.” (2 Sam. 11:1,2) His adultery and murder of Bathsheba’s husband Uriah, caused God to turn away his favor from his life and he was shattered. Most people would never recover from such devastation but David cried out to the Lord for mercy. “ I cried out to you O Lord. I begged the Lord for mercy, saying, ‘what will you gain if I die, if I sink down into the grave? Can my dust praise you from the grave? Can it tell the world of your faithfulness? Hear me Lord, and have mercy on me. Help me, O Lord.’”(8-10) David appeals to God on the basis of what would be lost if he died. We would only have 29 psalms in the Book of Psalms had God not answered this prayer. God would also lose the testimony of his ser- vant who declared his faithfulness to the repentant sinner. “ You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to you and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give you thanks forever!”(11,12) These verses lay claim to being the most joyful and most hopeful in the world. Here is a man who deserved the anger of God yet through God’s mercy and love he is restored to double favor. It is not only ‘ joy in the morning ’ it is dancing and a complete change of garments. God’s restoration is always to a more excellent condition than what existed before. Those who have experienced God’s pardon and for- giveness will forever have the dance of grace in their hearts. The parallel with the story of Prodigal Son is important: The younger son was prosperous, turned himself away from his father through foolish sin, yet finally came to his senses and repented and asked for mercy. “ Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him…We must celebrate with a feast, for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found. So the party began.”(Luke 15:21-24) His older brother was jealous and angry at the favor that his father bestowed upon the repentant son when he heard the celebration: “ When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house…”(Luke 15:25) Dancing did not originate with the devil, it was born in the delight of the Father’s house. We can live in the favor of God no matter how far we have wandered away if we come back to his mercy and ask forgiveness. He will give us the garment of righteousness and gladness and turn our mourning into music and dancing. The Father’s temple in heaven is dedicated to the celebration of his children returning to him! “ …there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.” (Luke 15:10) III. THANKS FOREVER - Favor Restored- 11,12

PSALM 31: I ENTRUST MY SPIRIT INTO YOUR HAND The Last Words of Christ

Verse 4 of this psalm was the last words spoken by Jesus before his death upon the cross. It is a model for all who experience the anguish and exhilaration of praying through the difficulties of life. It is divided into three sections:

I. DAVID’S RESCUE - 1-8 II. DAVID’S REJECTION - 9-18 III. DAVID’S REJOICING - 19-24

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