Ps. 142: Protect Me

Psalm 142:5 "I cry to you, O LORD; I say, 'You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living.'"

Again, David is in the cave, fleeing his enemies. What I take most from the 142nd Psalm is just how alone David is. Verse 4 is really pretty heartbreaking. Sure, he is lonely. But when I see "no one is at my right," I get to thinking about how important it is to have that right-hand man. Someone to trust, someone to back you up. That person, for David does not exist. He is totally, and completely alone, save for God, who will never desert David.

In his loneliness, David cries out to God, throwing himself completely on God's deliverance. David's deliverance serves as an example to others for God's deliverence.

Ps. 140: Protect Me

Psalm 140:7-8 "O Sovereign LORD, my strong deliverer, who shields my head in the day of battle- do not grant the wicked their desires, O LORD; do not let their plans succeed, or they will become proud. Selah"

The 140th Psalm appears to complement the Psalms found earlier in the book. David is in trouble, his enemies, foreign and domestic, seek to do him harm. Really, to kill him. A mighty warrior with numerous military accomplishments and victories, and a man who held the hearts of those on his side still humbled himself. In spite of his own great power, David still depended completely on God for his own safety, preservation and providence. See any post tagged with "deliverance" to read more.

I believe this comes from his desperate relationship with God. He was one who was so completely given over to following God that it kept him up at night, and he agonized over ways to get closer to God, and mend that relationship when it was torn. He did not want the victory or the glory for himself. His desire was so great that God be the only recipient of laud.

That he be granted victory and safety was not simply to preserve his own life (although I am sure he appreciated that). Rather, and far greater was his desire that God be glorified. If David was beaten, then those who did not trust and follow God (slanderers, violent men) would get the glory deflected from God. Can you imagine how that would eat away at David? The thought of these people getting a foothold and in any way diminishing God must have horrified him and made him sick. It was just cosmically better for these unbelievers to be destroyed.

When David is given victory, it will reflect God's favor on the righteous.

Ps. 124: Ascent for Protection

Psalm 124:8 "Our help is in the name of the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth."

Israel was a tiny nation. Though they had deep roots, they were outnumbered and couldn't have defended their land with a military force comparable to the other warring nations around their land. They knew, they had to acknowledge God as their deliverer. He was their only hope, and plus he promised he would be that deliverer. He had given them their land.

They knew they would have been destroyed. And the 124th Psalm acknowledges God as that deliverer.

Ps. 123: Ascents for Mercy

Psalm 123:3 "Have mercy on us, O LORD, have mercy on us, for we have endured much contempt."

Who can give those who believe in God mercy? Anyone but God? Believers face so much contempt and mockery for their faith that it hurts. It causes believers to fall down on their knees and depend on God for sustenance and mercy and for deliverance. It's not easy. Why do they face such contempt? Probably because their beliefs are so radical and life-changing and different. Probably because they take a stand against detrimental and sinful behavior. They depend completely on God for mercy and love, because they sure aren't going to get it from the world.

Ps. 119: Acrostic Time

This is the longest chapter I've read to this point, and it isn't really close. There are 22 subdivided sections of 8 verses each, apparently beginning with a different letter in the Jewish alphabet. That is interesting. It was probably useful in memorization. Which is good, because it is so long. Many of these are brief reviews and cribs of previous Psalms.

Aleph - vs 1-8 - A call to be obedient to the good and righteous commands God made. This results in great blessing.

Beth - vs 9-16 - Purity comes from following God's statutes. Wholehearted seeking of God's laws prevent sin against Him.

Gimel - vs 17-24 - The importance of committing to remember and take to heart what the LORD decrees. To want one's soul to be consumed with longing for God's word.

Daleth - vs 25-32 - In humility, a desire to learn, and a recognition of a person's place in life, fully depending on God. Choosing truth instead of living in deceit.

He - vs 33-40 - Turning from worthless things, from pointless ways to God's commands to find meaning.

Waw - vs 41-48 - Demonstrating the Psalmists commitment to do the things God asks..."I will" answer, trust, walk in truth, obey, speak of God's statues, lift up one's hands, and meditate on God's decrees.

Zayin - vs 49-56 - Trusting in God's promise of deliverance, as well as committing to follow God's precepts.

Heth - vs 57-64 - It's not easy to change one's path in life, but the command is to follow God. And that is the writer's promise here. It takes effort.

Teth - vs 65-72 - A willing student, eager to be taught and to learn God's good precepts, more precious than silver and gold.

Yodh - vs 73-80 - The writer understands that he reflects God to others, and wishes to be a role model to those who see him. His fear of God drives him to be an example.

Kaph - vs 81-88 - In spite of hardship and adversity, emphasis on that which comes from men out to torment him, the writer trusts in God, and holds to God's promises.

Lamedh - vs 89-96 - Given that God's laws are eternal and everlasting, and given that a person holds to these laws, wouldn't it stand logic's test to believe that man can be eternal and everlasting? I mean, at some point when it all goes down.

Mem - vs 97-104 - Boasting on the good things that have happened and the great wisdom and knowledge gained from desiring and meditating on God's laws and precepts.

Nun - vs 105-112 - Guided only by the word of God, the writer demonstrates his commitment to following God in spite of hardships.

Samekh - vs 113-120 - Sort of a message to those who wish to oppose the writer, and by extension those who oppose God. It's not a friendly message. It's not looking for compromise. God sustains those who love him and uphold his laws.

Ayin - vs 121-128 - The Psalmist throws himself on God's mercy and justice, realizing that he follows God's laws, and trusts God for protection. He doesn't just hope for the best.

Pe - vs 129-136 - Total commitment to the word of God evokes an emotional reaction when others do not share this commitment. Amazing.

Tsadhe - vs 137-144 - Trouble, distress and adversity befall the writer here, but his encouragement, his sustenance comes from the word of God, and its not just sustenance. It is delight.

Qoph - vs 145-152 - Total devotion to God's statutes...with time and heart and energy and lifestyle.

Resh - vs 153-160 - Facing harm and persecution from those who do not fear God, the Psalmist wishes to remind God that he closely keeps God's laws.

Sin and Shin - vs 161-168 - Persecuting rulers don't make the writer tremble the way God does. Because of this, he keeps God's laws and loves them.

Taw - vs 169-176 - The writer is able to do and to become many great things because of God and the things God does for him. Great things that involve worshipping God and giving him the flory.

Ps. 107: God's Deeds

Psalm 107:6 "Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress."

The 107th Psalm begins the 5th and final book of the Psalms. Its an interesting, very lyrical chapter here. It demonstrates that whenever Israel had a need, in spite of their sin and complaining, God "delivered them from their distress." In fact, that couplet, combined with "Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men," is repeated four times throughout the chapter. This repetition suggests importance.

If it is important, then why would we not give thanks to the LORD for his deliverance from our distress. Unless we think that for some reason we have delivered ourselves. Isn't that the attitude? "God sent this destruction on me, but I got out of it." So God is to blame, and we are to credit for things that happened. Blasphemous, and I personally need to repent of that ridiculous notion.

Ps. 86: Save David

Psalm 86:11 "Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name."

David is back again, and in typical David fashion has a Psalm asking for deliverance. 

Why should God deliver David?

Why does God have to deliver David?

And why is David in this trouble? Is he not a man after God's own heart? Didn't God say to follow his words and not waver to the right or to the left and one will live long and prosper (Dt. 5)? Well, David often stood in need of God's forgiveness. He wasn't perfect, but he was blameless, due to his constant back-and-forth with God, his total transparency before God.

David describes God in worship, and it's really quite beautiful. Forgiving, abounding in love. That's quite a description, and it speaks to what David knew he needed. God was everything David lacked. And was the only God that David could say that about.

I'm not sure when all nations will bow before God. It hasn't happened yet. But I'm no prophet. And they will worship Him? I really find that very difficult to believe, unless something drastic happens.

At the end of the 86th Psalm, David asks God for a sign. Something that will secure and comfort David, and also put his enemies to shame. I'm not sure what that sign is. Perhaps the promise that David would always have a light in the tabernacle?

Ps. 83: Enemies of God

Psalm 83:17 "May they ever be ashamed and dismayed; may they perish in disgrace."

Asaph isn't some seer, he knows that there are people plotting against Israel. When you plot against Israel, he says, you plot against the LORD himself. Which has proven itself never to be all that great of an idea. Their goals, wipe Israel off the map, and remove them from the memory of history. We've heard this recently, actually.

But Asaph is eager to see God's power of deliverance. He remembers. He was taught about Judges 4, when Deborah defeated Sisera. He recounts Judges 7, when Gideon crushed the Midianites who plotted against Israel.

Asaph knows God is forever, and those who seek to stand against him are temporary, like tumbleweed in the wind, or a forest consumed by fire.

Which side will you be on?

Ps. 70: Kill my Enemies, Save Me

Psalm 70:5 "Yet I am poor and needy; come quickly to me, O God. You are my help and my deliverer; O LORD, do not delay."

The 70th Psalm is brief, and to me it seems like the epilogue to the 69th Psalm. Another Psalm asking for deliverance. In fact, the chapter is identical to the final 5 verses of Psalm 40. David asks for the destruction of his enemies, who were really meant originally to be on his side. He asks for their destruction, and for his own preservation, and he wants the LORD to hurry. Patience isn't really a strong suit. But in desperation, who can claim patience as a virtue? Not me.

Ps. 69: Deliverance

Psalm 69:29 "I am in pain and distress; may your salvation, O God, protect me."

I couldn't really say it better. The 69th Psalm is yet another in a litany of Psalms requested deliverance. Being subject to attacks by enemies and mockers is painful. Here, it is compared to drowning. It's scary to be in water and barely being able to keep your face above it. A slight error in judgement leads to death. And you can't breathe underwater. Those who hate and mock are compared to deep waters. And deep waters are scary and mysterious. Man was not created to live in deep waters. Man was created to have both feet on dry soil.

The Psalmist also describes being mocked for dressing in sackcloth, and for his devotion to his faith. Ain't that the truth. Even back a million years ago, devotion to God was made the subject of fun. What better way to mock someone than to give them vinegar to drink when they are thirsty. Vinegar doesn't quench thirst, as I recall. It's bitter, and gross and smelly. What a horrible thing to do to someone.

In spite of this pain, and fear and mocking, David (I assume it's David writing) still trusts God and encourages others to praise God. And I think to myself, "If I am complaining about the nonsense that befalls me in my life, would I have the attitude of exhorting my peeps to praise God?" Probably not. Most likely I would be Captain Bringdown.

Ps. 66: God Did It

Psalm 66:20 "Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!"

As powerful as God is in the universe, a read through the 66th Psalm reinforces the idea that God has specific care for life here on planet earth. Your life. Described here are ways God delivered the Israelites from the Egyptians. So God brought them into prison, was it just so God could show his power? Wouldn't have not allowing them to be imprisoned by the Egyptians in the first place been a greater show of power? How far back up the line do you go? The point is, how often is God praised by people who are having it good? So something bad doesn't happen. Do you praise God for it, or do you not notice it?

I suppose also this idea that God would turn the sea to dry land to deliver his people is pretty neat. He turns nature back on itself. He uses the land to do something it wasn't meant to do, to do what God wants it to do. Pretty miraculous stuff.

Ps. 63: Growing in the Desert

Psalm 63: "O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water."

I get another description of what it's like to be with God. What it's like to be in a close relationship with God. I see that David thirsts for God in a dry and weary land. He is the desert rose. The only sign of life in desolation. And what sustains him? God. How though? How does God keep David going? Why would David say things like "My soul thirsts for you." "My body longs for you." "My soul clings to you." Imagine! Imagine your very soul, the essence of what makes you you, clinging to God, for dear life! Release from the grip of God is the soul's gravest danger. 

David says that God upholds him, and protects him. Even so, is that enough for me to want my soul to cling to God? To think about God in the watch of the night? Even knowing that God is my only hope of salvation and my own vindication...what would it take for me to own this kind of relationship?

I need to ponder this.

Ps. 59: Turn Evil Back

Psalm 59:8 "But you, O LORD, laugh at them; you scoff at all those nations."

David's enemies are spying on him, casing his house and whatnot. And David makes the claim in verse 4 that he has not done anything wrong. He has done nothing to warrant this surveillance. But being in trouble with man is different than being in trouble with God. The offenses are often mutually exclusive.

But these men laugh and scoff at David, and David requests that God turn their mocking back on them. After all, God is the ultimate power, and with a wave of his hand can scatter men on the breeze like a dust storm. And David doesn't wish his adversaries dead. Too easy of a punishment. Plus, their memory will be forgotten, and their misdeeds will cease to be an effective example to future generations of what not to do. David's lamp wasn't going to go out, remember? He wanted to ensure his offspring would have plenty of examples, good and bad. What to do and what not to do. 

Though David was a powerful military commander and cunning strategist, he likely wouldn't have stood against the Israelite army led by Saul. So as much as David would have liked to go on the offensive, and release the hounds, David depended on God to mete out the justice. Plus, I wonder if David was afraid of what kind of man he'd become on the battlefield if he was driven only be revenge. Scary thought.

Ps. 57: Be Exalted

Psalm 57:5 "Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth."

The song finds David in a cave when he was fleeing a pursuing King Saul. I would guess that this cave in question refers to the Cave of Adullam in 1 Samuel 22. He had escaped from Gath, but was still in danger. Again, I briefly touched on it last summer. It follows the formula pretty closely. David is in danger. David is a afraid. David trusts God.

Someone saw fit to write that old praise song about it, "Be Exalted" based on the lyrics in the 57th Psalm. Other than that, there's less and less I can truly say about these Psalms on the surface. Uh, the language is nice?  I wonder if these Psalms were all meant to be read consecutively.

Ps. 54: Save Me

Psalm 54:6 "I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, O LORD, for it is good."

Last summer I blogged about Saul's pursuit of David in 1 Samuel. Here we are in the 54th Psalm with David's thoughts on it. There's no surprise that David is going to trust God for his deliverance. Obviously, we know the Ziphites never overtook him.

I guess I did manage to gain a new perspective on sacrifices. When David offers a freewill offering, it clicked with me that these sacrifices are in some cases a return of the grace of God. Not just done to earn it. The sacrifices are an outpouring of thanks. It is a praise of God's good name. God will deliver him, David will sacrifice. I don't get the sense that if David sacrificed, God would deliver him.

Ps. 35: God Will Vindicate

Psalm 35:12 "They repay me evil for good and leave my soul forlorn."

David's situation isn't just that he is being pursued. He is innocent of wrongdoing to other people, yet his character is on trial. In spite of the goodness and humility in which he treats people, when he in turn suffers, they mock and add insult upon insult. David, in verses 13 and 14 goes through the mourning process for people who in turn rejoice in his pain.

He appears also to be the victim of false accusation, being questioned by false witnesses about things he had no part of. What did he go on trial for? 

I can't imagine having to deal with this type of treatment. Here are more reasons why David really needed to reach out to God, to cry out to God in desperation, because only God could deliver him. Only God could preserve David's character and prove his innocence.

Ps. 34: How To Be Delivered

Psalm 34:6 "This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles."

Why is it that David receives this kind of treatment and deliverance from God? From reading past stories about David, we know that he received amazing promises. And it wasn't necessarily because of anything he did. He happened to be a part of Abraham's lineage, which eventually turned into Israel's royal lineage. There he was promised that his lamp would never be extinguished. He had his failures, but like we discussed, his close walk with God resulted in what I suppose was an ongoing dialogue with the Creator. And God forgave him, presumably constantly.

And lets not forget that David didn't have it easy, in spite of this close relationship with God. Quite the opposite, it would seem. When I read scriptures that depict David pleading with God to save him because of God's reputation, it appears that he has been in his share of potentially lethal trouble. 

The truth is, David asked for deliverance, and God was inclined to deliver him. David had no magic words. He never had any footing to make a deal with God that bind God to deliver him. 

And this makes me wonder, can I claim any of this? What can I expect when I ask God to deliver me from trouble? I believe God listens. But is what I perceive to be God's silence in any way related to the depth of my relationship with Him? If I spend as much time in communication with God as David did (impossible...right?....Right?) I would have a better understanding of just what it is God is doing.

I don't mean to ignore the text. David is in full-on teaching mode here in the 34th Psalm. He teaches that to fear the LORD leads to his protection, guidance, sustanence and deliverance. There will be trouble, make no mistake (v. 19), but God is the deliverer. Try a Google image search for "Psalm 34" and see how many pictures there are of troubled people with their heads in their hands.

Ps. 31: Praise the LORD

Psalm 31:14 "But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, 'You are my God.'"

There is a lot going on here in the 31st Psalm. Again David describes the troubled situation he was in while his city was beseiged. He hides in God. Wherever he is, he trusts God and God alone to be his protector. What is interesting here is that he makes no mention of his own abilities and guile to overcome these odds. He doesn't even appear to try. Even before there is no way out, God is the way out.

His cry for mercy and deliverance is heeded. God continues to protect him. This is God's righteousness, to fulfill His word in the promises he made. Specific to David, if David walked the straight path prescribed by God, he would not come to ruin. And having read the account of David's reign in the Kings and Chronicles, we see just how straight it was, and how successful it was.

What these Psalms teach me about God is that he is the ultimate protection. Is God a last resort? Is he our failsafe? When everything else crumbles, does David then go to God? It doesn't appear that way. Not because David didn't turn to God, but because David didn't wait to turn to God. He trusted and devoted himself to God when things were good.

God is the one who rescues us when we call. Even when we don't, it appears that God will turn his ear because his heart would be so moved. Always?

Ps. 30: Praise for Deliverance

Psalm 30:11 "You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy..."

Another Psalm of praise. And David has much to sing about. He has prayed for deliverance, and received it. What an amazing thing to happen! When you pray for something wonderful, and God is inclined to give that to you. Not only is there joy in God's gift, but also the idea that, even if just for a moment, your desires match up with God's will. Is that too much to think about myself? Does it lessen God's will? I don't believe so. But at any rate, it is quite amazing, and I wonder how often I forget to offer a special praise for it.

I learn a couple things about God in verse 5. "For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning."

To me this sounds like a God who in His very nature is favorable. Who would at all times rejoice. He becomes angry. He is not angry. He weeps, but it ceases, and joy is uncovered. Wailing is turned into joy. Sackcloth of mourning isn't meant to be worn at all times in the world of this God. Dancing is a celebration unto God. 

Early 11th Century depiction of Psalm 30.

Ps. 28: Prayer for Deliverance

Psalm 28:6 "Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy."

Yet another prayer for deliverance from the evil people who surround him. I think a few things about this. First, David must have had a lot of time to write these things. Secondly, I wonder how often this happened? Last, maybe it didn't happen so many times, but it just inspired him to write about what happened to him. A lot of these prayers for deliverance contain similar elements, with many seeming to contain all of them. 

David is in trouble.

David calls on God to deliver him.

David recognizes that God is his deliverer and shield.

David reminds God how blameless he is.

David doesn't want to be counted among the evil, concerning himself with God's reputation.

David wants to be with God.

David praises God for deliverance and greatness.

David encourages others to do the same.

What is different here in the 28th Psalm is David's desire for God to repay those people who wronged him, and to remember them. David doesn't offer God any suggestions for ways to pour out His vengeance. Instead, David trusts God's justice. Whatever it is God decides to do will be far more effective than anything our minds can comprehend. And believe me, when I wanted retribution on the people who hid things from us when they sold me my house, I thought of a lot of things I wanted to do. As I took care of these repairs, it worsened. But I had to come to the point of realization that God is a just God, and he would be my vindication. But it also occured to me that perhaps what I'm dealing with is vindication for the sins of my youth...I don't know. Praise God anyway. 

But God will rebuild me.