Our psalm today is one that was written by King David. The Lord has blessed each of us with some talent or ability to use for His glory. David had many abilities. One gift he had was writing poetry and songs, and he used that to glorify God, writing at least 73 psalms, and possibly more. He also could play some musical instruments, including the lyre, a type of small, hand-held harp. David didn’t use his ability to write bawdy songs to be sung at the local tavern or to earn himself fame. He wanted to use his talents, which he knew came from God, to be a gift to give back to Him, and bring Him glory (vs. 9).
Another ability that David had was that of a great military strategist. Before he was king, David and his companions spent many years fleeing from the hand of King Saul. During this time he learned how to lead an army, and the military tactics which go with that. When he came to the throne, David led the armies of Israel against the enemies of God and His people (vs. 1). Again, this was an ability that David used to glorify God, not himself.
This psalm of David’s is similar to Psalm 18, and like that one, was probably written under similar circumstances. David wanted to praise God for delivering him from his enemies, possibly his predecessor King Saul, or an enemy king when he later came to the throne, or perhaps even his son Absalom, when that young man staged a coup against his father.
When great problems surrounded David, he discovered that God was all he needed, and that He would provide deliverance (vs. 2). David’s poetic talent showed itself throughout this psalm, especially as he described God. God showed David loving kindness. He described God as a fortress and a high tower for him, a place of safety where he could go and retreat from the attacks and problems in his life. David knew that his deliverance wasn’t going to come from someone else, or even himself. He knew that God was his deliverer. David knew that God would protect him from all harm, like a shield, and that he could turn to Him for refuge. Further in the psalm David described God as a heavenly warrior, who came to fight on behalf of him and His enemies (vs. 5-8).
Both during the years that David led men in fleeing King Saul, and then as king of Israel and leading the armies, he would have seen much death. He knew that life was brief and very precarious. Even if a war wasn’t occurring, David knew that life was fleeting. He described it like a shadow, there one moment and gone the next (vs. 3-4). The Apostle James said something similar, describing life as like a vapor, there and then vanished (James 4:14). We need to live for God while we have the time. David knew this. God is eternal. Man is short-lived. Don’t waste time on things that have no purpose or lasting value. Only God can make our life meaningful and worthwhile.
What is our foundation? What are we standing on? David’s foundation was God, who he found was solid and unshakeable, just like a rock (vs. 1). When we trust in God for deliverance throughout our life, His blessings will fall upon our families and our livelihood, and bring us peace (vs. 12-15). This Scripture passage tells us to rejoice in God’s care. Whether we are going through times of prosperity or times of trouble and adversity, we are blessed if we have put our faith and trust in God, becoming His children through salvation and faith in the shed Blood of Jesus.
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