Heart of a Psalmist - Worshipping Christ Through The Psalms

Verse 21 gives us a clue as to when David might have composed the psalm: “ He kept me safe when my city was under attack. ” There were two instances in David’s life when his city was ‘besieged.’

1. When he was in the city of Keilah: “ Saul mobilized his entire army to march to Keilah and attack David and his men.”(1 Sam. 23:8)

2. When he was in the city of Mahanaim: “ David soon arrived at Mahanaim. By now, Absalom had mobilized the entire army of Israel and was leading his troops across the Jordan River.”(2 Sam. 17:24)

INTRODUCTION :

“ For the choir director: A Psalm of David ”

The authorship of this psalm has been attributed to both David and Jeremiah as verse 13 is directly quoted in Jeremiah 20:10. They were very much alike in their musical poetical style and were both prophets of the highest caliber. It is likely that Jeremiah was a student of the psalms of King David and incorporated his songs into his prayer life and writings. Musicians and lyricists today should draw in- spiration from King David. “ …the sweet psalmist of Israel.” (2 Sam. 23:1)

I. DAVID’S RESCUE 1-8

“ O Lord, I have come to you for protection: don’t let me be put to shame. Rescue me, for you al- ways do what is right. Bend down and listen to me; rescue me quickly. Be for me a great rock of safety, a fortress where my enemies cannot reach me. You are my rock and my fortress.” (1,2) The circumstances and the language of the psalm are definitely linked to David’s time period but the purpose is eternal in scope. Four times David uses the phrase: “ rescue me…”(1,2,5,15) which be- came a regular occurrence throughout his life. The cross became the greatest rescue operation of all time delivering the human race from sin and eternal judgment. Twice he refers to the Lord as his ‘rock’ and his ‘fortress’ always remembering his hiding place from Saul when he was in the wilderness of Moan: “ When David heard that Saul and his men were search- ing for him, he went even farther into the wilderness to the great rock…ever since that time, the place where David was camped has been called the rock of Escape.”(1 Sam. 23:25,28) “You are my rock and my fortress. For the honor of your name, lead me out of this peril. Pull me from the trap my enemies set for me, for I find protection in you alone. I entrust my spirit into your hand. Rescue me, Lord, for you are a faithful God.”(3-5) The last words Jesus spoke from the cross were a direct quote from this passage. The thoughts sur- rounding this statement may have been the prayers going through his heart and mind in the final mo- ments of his life. “ By this time it was noon, and darkness fell across the whole land until three o’clock. The light from the sun was gone. And suddenly, the thick veil hanging in the Temple was torn apart. Then Jesus shouted, ‘Father, I entrust my spirit into your hands!’ And with those words he breathed his last.”(Lk.23:44-46) David’s personal sufferings were prophetic of the much greater sufferings of the com- ing Christ. “ I hate those who worship worthless idols. I trust in the Lord. I am overcome with joy because of your unfailing love, for you have seen my troubles, and you care about the anguish of my soul. You have not handed me over to my enemy but have set me in a safe place.”(6-8) This portion of the song looks back from a place of safety and deliverance and celebrates the un- failing love of God when he spared David’s life. It is soothing to know that God cares about the stress that we experience in our inner person; the Holy Spirit is sent to comfort us in these times. The Psalm is soon to plunge into another cycle of deep distress and victory that is so often the case when we are in battles regarding our faith.

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