David could have written a whole book of poems lamenting the host of enemies surrounding him. Enemies in Saul’s court. Enemies among the priests. Enemies in the surrounding territories. Enemies everywhere! But in Psalm 54, he devotes only three lines (54:1–3) to naming his problem people. He, instead, quickly turned his mind’s eye to focus on his divine advocate.
Read MoreTag Archives: Psalms
Consider the Source
Imagine David wilting under a bush or slumped in a cave, pouring out his feelings in Psalm 54, begging the Lord for help. The first three verses are a prayer with emphasis on the enemy. The spotlight then turns to the composer’s divine defender as the next two verses form a picture. The last two verses are words of praise as David focuses on his own history with God.
Read MorePeople Problems
For many years, I opened the daily newspaper looking forward to another dose of wisdom from the mind of Charles Schulz, the creator of the comic strip “Peanuts.” In one particular scene, Lucy chides her little brother Linus, “You a doctor! HA! That’s a big laugh! You could never be a doctor! You know why? Because you don’t love mankind, that’s why!”
Read MoreComfort in God’s Strength
If Martin Luther’s great hymn, “A Mighty Fortress Is Our God,” is any indication, he often turned to Psalm 46 for comfort. When you read his story, you can appreciate why. In 1520, after more than three years of conflict with the Church in Rome, the Pope warned Luther in a public letter that he would be excommunicated if he did not recant his teaching that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone.
Read MoreCease Striving
The psalmist’s inner battle with the grind of personal weakness, recorded in Psalm 46, ended with a truce. He arrived at a critical decision that required every ounce of faith he could muster. He decided to withdraw from battle. I Will Not Strive. The last four verses of his song (Psalm 46:8–11) are nothing short of magnificent.
Read MoreGod in Your Midst
The psalmist’s reaction to nature in upheaval was, “I will not fear” (Psalm 46:2–3). His response to feelings of personal weakness continues in Psalm 46 with a change of scene, which prompts another resolution. I Will Not Be Moved. There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, The holy dwelling places of the Most High.
Read MoreA Fear Response
The psalmist was most likely a priest. As a man of letters, he would have known the history of Israel better than most. And their path had not been a smooth one. They continually faced dangers from foreign armies as well as dangers within. Consequently, the psalmist looked for help from his almighty God.
Read MoreHuman Failure
We deny it. We fake it. We mask it. We try to ignore it. But the truth stubbornly persists: we are weak and inadequate creatures! Being sinful, we fail. Being prone to illness, we get sick. Being feeble, we get hurt. Being mortal, we ultimately die. Pressure grinds the churning place. Anxiety gives us ulcers. People intimidate us. Criticism undermines us.
Read MoreSeek God’s Truth
Psalms 42 and 43 capture for us David’s situation of inner despair and disturbance. The source of his turmoil didn’t go away after his visit to the headwaters of the Jordan River (42:6). When he returned to Jerusalem, he found his troubles waiting for him. According to Psalm 43:1–2, David suffered another personal attack. People problems were upon him, and we all know how devastating they can be!
Read MoreFind Solace in Nature
David’s songs of inner turmoil don’t offer easy answers; he’s too realistic for that. David had seen the lowest of lows several times in his life, so he knew that counting your blessings won’t work every time. Sometimes, we get so low that no memory will jar us loose from our turmoil. In Psalm 42:6–8, David offers another technique.
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