If you have an enemy who is after you, trying to track you down, you might want to find a good place to hide, especially if that enemy is armed and wanting to kill you. If that enemy has weapons and others with him, and is diligently tracking you down, you need some place that is safe, not just quickly hiding in a closet or under your bed. Today’s psalm was written by David during a period when he was fleeing for his life from King Saul, who, along with his whole military, were seeking after him to kill him. Let’s see where he chose to hide, and take a closer look into the psalm he wrote about that time.
King Saul’s animosity against David stemmed from his jealousy over the great military victories David had against the Philistines, beginning with his defeat of Goliath, and continuing on through a number of further battles against their enemies. The people praised this young victorious warrior, and Saul was jealous. He didn’t like that he wasn’t praised, and thus wanted David killed. Twice in the Scriptures we read of David hiding in a cave from King Saul. Once was after a brief stay in Philistine territory (I Samuel 22:1), and the other at a different time (I Samuel 24:3).
This psalm has the heading “When David fled from Saul into the cave.” David was safe there, not because a cave seems like a good place to hide, being dark and there are plenty of places one can slip into or behind to be out of sight. It was safe because God was watching over him and sheltering him. Though David found himself hiding from Saul, he knew that his real refuge was not the walls of the cave, but was in the shadow of God’s wings (vs. 1).
David used the picture of a bird who safely hides their young under their wings from all harm and danger to that of God who also protects His children from harm. If you’ve ever spent time on a chicken farm, or seen ducks and swans with their young, you will see how the chicks will race to their mother’s outstretched wings for protection. God cares for His own children just like a mother bird protects her own.
As David lay low and quiet in the recesses of the cave, he compared those who were seeking his life, and all wicked people who come against God’s children, to lions, to being like menacing animals with razor sharp teeth (vs. 4). He also compared them to a consuming fire. Yet he knew that the best wisdom was not to counter-attack them, but instead to praise the Lord, which this psalm consists of. In any trial we face, our best response is not anger or worry, but instead to bring praise to the Lord (vs. 7). David was so eager to praise His Savior, that he couldn’t even wait until morning to praise the Lord for all of His blessings (vs. 8). When we praise God and give Him our burdens, He will calm us and bring peace to our hearts (John 14:27; Philippians 4:6-7).
David called God here by the Hebrew title “El Elyon” which means “Most High God” (vs. 2). With all power and wisdom, He is the only One who can help us in our need. God is our refuge. With Him as our place of shelter for our soul, we do not need to fear. He hovers over us like a protecting parental bird, and shelters us when crises arise.
God wants His children to call to Him with their burdens. We can be assured that He is listening. Even when we can’t think of what to say, the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf (Romans 8:26). The Lord can and will accomplish anything it takes for His purpose to be fulfilled. He’ll do whatever is necessary to intervene on our behalf, to hold accountable those who oppose us, and to surround us with His love and truth. We see this as we read through I Samuel, how the Lord protected David against Saul, and the final judgment that came for Saul’s sinful behavior.
David’s praise was conceived in crisis. Although he was cornered by enemies who wanted him dead, David could still compose hymns of praise. Throughout life, we encounter various trials and tribulations. Like a sudden storm, they rain down upon us. When these difficulties and perils surround us, we can take shelter in the Rock that is the Lord, knowing He hears our prayers and offers refuge for us, both now and for eternity. In whatever crisis we are in, we can run to Jesus for help, and then praise Him as we wait expectantly for His answer.
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