Incidents In David's Life As Seen Through The Psalms

It would be a serious mistake not to recognize the prophetic nature of the book of Psalms; however, it would also be wrong to dissociate them completely from the lives of those who wrote them. In the midst of the sorrows and triumphs of his life, David was led by the Spirit of God to pen many of the psalms.

My intent in these few meditations is to consider various events in the life of David and the psalms that sprang from them. Whereas in the books of Samuel we have the history, in the psalms we have David’s heart revealed. In particular, I would like to consider the practical principles that we may draw from them, keeping in mind that David was a man under law and not a recipient of the spiritual blessings that we possess in Christ (Eph. 1:3). While this is certainly not the highest view of the psalms, I trust it will be profitable.

The Spirit of God, while using David’s experiences, goes far beyond them in their application. The psalms are the inspired word of God and are the utterances of the Holy Spirit. “David the son of Jesse said, and the man who was raised up on high, the anointed of the God of Jacob, and the sweet psalmist of Israel, said, The Spirit of the Lord spake by me, and His word was in my tongue” (2 Sam. 23:1-2). What may begin as the reflections of David often conclude in an altogether different character. The voice of the remnant in Israel may be heard; at other times it is the Lord’s anointed, Christ, the Messiah (1 Pet. 1:11).

We often learn best when we see the doctrines and principles of Scripture expressed through the experiences of another. If the mind is merely engaged in an intellectual way, the lessons are not learned. When the heart is reached, fruit is borne in our lives.

The Psalms under consideration will be looked at chronologically, in the order in which the corresponding incidences take place in David’s life. It quickly becomes apparent that there was no neat spiritual progression with David, but rather, he experienced the ups-and-downs with which we are all so well acquainted. The ordering of the Psalms is moral, and, in their various groupings, reflects a progression of development. We do not lightly jumble the arrangement chosen by God, but if we keep in mind that it is the life of David whom we wish to consider in these brief meditations, then I do not believe it to be inappropriate.

1 Samuel 19:11-18 – Psalm 59

11 Saul also sent messengers unto David’s house, to watch him, and to slay him in the morning: and Michal David’s wife told him, saying, If thou save not thy life tonight, tomorrow thou shalt be slain. 12 So Michal let David down through a window: and he went, and fled, and escaped. 13And Michal took an image, and laid it in the bed, and put a pillow of goats’ hair for his bolster, and covered it with a cloth. 14And when Saul sent messengers to take David, she said, He is sick. 15And Saul sent the messengers again to see David, saying, Bring him up to me in the bed, that I may slay him. 16And when the messengers were come in, behold, there was an image in the bed, with a pillow of goats’ hair for his bolster. 17And Saul said unto Michal, Why hast thou deceived me so, and sent away mine enemy, that he is escaped? And Michal answered Saul, He said unto me, Let me go; why should I kill thee? 18 So David fled, and escaped, and came to Samuel to Ramah, and told him all that Saul had done to him. And he and Samuel went and dwelt in Naioth.

Psalm 59

To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. 1 Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me. 2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men. 3 For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O Lord. 4 They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold. 5 Thou therefore, O Lord God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah. 6 They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city. 7 Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear? 8 But Thou, O Lord, shalt laugh at them; Thou shalt have all the heathen in derision. 9 Because of His strength will I wait upon Thee: for God is my defence. 10 The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies. 11 Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by Thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield. 12 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak. 13 Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah. 14And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city. 15 Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied. 16 But I will sing of Thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of Thy mercy in the morning: for Thou hast been my defense and refuge in the day of my trouble. 17 Unto Thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defense, and the God of my mercy.

Meditation

While Saul was seeking to kill David, David was praying to the Lord for deliverance (vss. 1-2). In this situation David could confidently say that it was not for his transgression or for his sin (vs. 3). “Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God” (1 John 3:20). Paul likewise knew that though bound as an evildoer, his conscience was clear: “wherein I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound” (2 Tim. 2:9). No matter what man may do to us, God’s plan will prevail; His word is not bound.

David does not ask the Lord to kill his enemies, lest the people should forget (vs. 11). Is it not true, when afflicted we are the closest to the Lord? Sometimes, however, we feel as if our enemies are pressing down upon us like a pack of dogs, roaming and howling in the night. For they say, “who hears?” (vs. 7). God hears! The world may mock and laugh now, but, solemnly, the Lord will ultimately hold this world in derision (vs. 8; Psa. 2:4).

It is because of His strength that we have confidence in His deliverance (vs. 9). Let us not look inwards, as the world would insist, for our strength.

David does not question the Lord’s loving kindness toward him. Satan delights for us to question the goodness of God. Sometimes we fall into the error of thinking that God is against us; this is Satan’s lie.

It is good to be reminded, as has often been said, that happiness is a state of soul and not a question of circumstances. Indeed, David sings! “I will sing aloud of Thy loving-kindness in the morning” (vs. 16). Does not this remind us of another verse of Scripture? “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is Thy faithfulness” (Lam. 3:22-23). Oh, to remember this in the midst of our trials!

David not only sings of God, but to God — do we know God well enough to sing to Him? I may sing of a person, but to sing to someone is quite another thing. To sing to God implies an intimate relationship with Him.

Sadly, Michal, David’s wife (and Saul’s daughter), does not enter into any of this. She loved her mighty warrior (1 Sam. 18:20), but she was not of a kindred spirit when it came to spiritual things. It is important that we marry someone with whom we can share the things of God. “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3). Michal used deceit and lies to hide David’s escape. Did she need to? No, God is our defense and refuge (vs. 17). This is the world’s way of doing things: the end justifies the means in their eyes.

1 Samuel 21:10-12 – Psalm 56

10And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. 11And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands? 12And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath.

Psalm 56

To the chief Musician upon Jonathelem-rechokim, Michtam of David, when the Philistines took him in Gath. 1 Be merciful unto me, O God: for man would swallow me up; he fighting daily oppresseth me. 2 Mine enemies would daily swallow me up: for they be many that fight against me, O thou most High. 3 What time I am afraid, I will trust [confide] in Thee. 4 In God I will praise His word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. 5 Every day they wrest my words: all their thoughts are against me for evil. 6 They gather themselves together, they hide themselves, they mark my steps, when they wait for my soul. 7 Shall they escape by iniquity? In Thine anger cast down the people, O God. 8 Thou tellest my wanderings: put Thou my tears into Thy bottle: are they not in Thy book? 9 When I cry unto Thee, then shall mine enemies turn back: this I know; for God is for me. 10 In God will I praise His word: in the Lord will I praise His word. 11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me. 12 Thy vows are upon me, O God: I will render praises unto Thee. 13 For thou hast delivered my soul from death: wilt not Thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?

Meditation

In the lead up to this event, David lies (1 Sam. 21:2), eats the holy bread that was for the priests alone (1 Sam. 21:6; Lev. 24:9), arms himself for protection (1 Sam. 21:8), and flees to the Philistines! What a pitiful refuge they proved to be — “man would swallow me up” (vs. 2). The servants of Achish recognized David as the one who had slain his ten thousands (1 Sam. 21:11). Secure in their midst, with no obvious means of escape, David was much afraid. The sword of Goliath, the Philistine, was of no help.

In his extremity David remembers that fear can only be countered by confiding in God (vss. 3, 11). When I place my trust in God, when my confidence is such that I can praise His word, then I will not fear what flesh can do unto me (vs. 4). “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe” (Prov. 29:25).

People may take and twist our words and look for opportunities to destroy us (vss. 5-6), but we can leave them with God knowing that their judgment ultimately rests with Him (vs. 7). Do we trust His word? Can we say with the Apostle, “For I know whom I have believed” (2 Tim. 1:12)?

God has not promised to take us out of all difficulty especially when it is the result of our own doing. May we never forget that sinful behavior has consequences; “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:7). But God has promised to be with us, though the sense of His presence may well be lost upon us. All my wanderings are inscribed in His book. Not one shed tear goes unnoticed — He stores my tears in His bottle. “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee” (Isa. 43:1-2). Though written for Israel in a day yet to come, we can draw comfort from these verses, and how much more so, for we have that present assurance of Christ’s love for us — who indeed “shall separate us from the love of Christ?” (Rom. 8:35).

Many years ago there was a particularly dark time in my life: an aunt died, my grandfather died, an uncle died, all in addition to other funerals that I attended that gloomy year. When my grandfather’s manufacturing business was sold, many items were auctioned. Among those goods was a small, green glass laboratory bottle with a glass stopper — a particularly fine specimen. A cousin of mine, one who had not so long before lost her mother, bid on that item. The price went up, and up, until finally she obtained her prize! The next day — the Lord’s Day — I saw it on her dresser with a note card leaning against it. On that card was one verse: “put Thou my tears into Thy bottle” (vs. 8).

When I undertake to fight the good fight of faith (1 Tim. 6:12) in my own strength, with my own carnal weapons (2 Cor. 10:4), I will fail. It is only when I cry unto the Lord that my enemies are turned back (vs. 9).

Can I say with David, “this I know, for God is for me” (vs. 9)? When we think that all are against us, we do well to meditate on this verse. It was the goodness of God that led me to repentance; and it is His goodness that sustains me in the Christian path (Rom. 2:4; 2 Cor. 12:9). If David could say, “I know,” so much more can we. “What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Rom. 8:31-32).

Like the previous psalm, this one also ends in praise, praise to a God that alone can keep our feet from falling. Furthermore, it is praise that rests upon His word. Our confidence in God is founded upon a revelation from Him and not on our own wishful thinking. It reminds me of Jude’s doxology at the close of his short exhortation to the saints of God, when the darkness of apostasy seems to be overwhelming. “Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of His glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen” (Jude 24-25).

1 Samuel 21:13-15 – Psalm 34

13And he changed his behavior before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard. 14 Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me? 15 Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?

Psalm 34

A psalm of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed. 1 I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth. 2 My soul shall make her boast in the Lord: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. 3 O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together. 4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears. 5 They looked unto Him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. 6 This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles. 7 The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him, and delivereth them. 8 O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him. 9 O fear the Lord, ye His saints: for there is no want to them that fear Him. 10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek the Lord shall not want any good thing. 11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of the Lord. 12 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good? 13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile. 14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it. 15 The eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous, and His ears are open unto their cry. 16 The face of the Lord is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth. 17 The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles. 18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit. 19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the Lord delivereth him out of them all. 20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken. 21 Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate. 22 The Lord redeemeth the soul of His servants: and none of them that trust in Him shall be desolate.

Meditation

This occasion must have been one of the most humiliating times in David’s life. The mighty warrior, the anointed one, acts the mad man with spit drooling down his face to escape Achish, the king of Gath. Though we don’t read it in the historic account, we know from the psalm that David cried unto the Lord — “I sought the Lord, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears” (vs. 4). Having gotten into a scrape, it requires true humility to say, “I am wrong.” Furthermore, we may be required to yield a good deal more than such an admission; in this case it was David’s dignity. One of the things we learn with David — and it is evidence that he, unlike Saul, was a man of faith — he submitted to the chastening hand of God, no matter the cost to himself.

We feel the exuberance of David after his escape — a deliverance that he fully credits to Jehovah (vss. 1-10). Oh, if man would only taste of the wonderful provision that God has made in His grace, then he, too, would rejoice in His goodness (vs. 8). “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation” (Heb. 2:3)? It is one thing to speak of others, but do we feel it? Can we sing with David, “I will bless the Lord at all times: His praise shall continually be in my mouth” (vs. 1)? It is not a question of blessing the Lord when things go our way, but at all times.

The lion cubs may go hungry, but the child of God “shall not want any good thing” (vs. 10). Two sparrows may be sold for a farthing and five may be had for the bargain of two farthings, but “ye are of more value than many sparrows” (Luke 12:7). A mother may indeed forget her nursing child, but the Lord cannot forget us: “Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of My hands” (Isa. 49:16).

Having been taught a valuable lesson, though it was learned at his own expense, David is not afraid to share it with his family (vs. 11). Speaking evil and deceit gains us nothing (vs. 13). However, keeping the tongue — and what an unruly member it is (James 3:8) — is only the start and not the end of the path. We are to walk in separation from evil and to do good; we are not only to seek peace but also to pursue it (vs. 14).

Isn’t it true, having schemed and contrived, only to be caught out in the end, we feel the utter futility of it to our shame? Contrariwise, when in desperation we call upon the Lord and He answers our cry, our hearts overflow with His goodness. Why then do we fall in the same ditch the next time around? Indeed, “many are the afflictions of the righteous” (vs. 19), but it seems to take us a lifetime to learn that the Lord delivers us out of them all.

Not only is there a right path, but there is also the correct attitude: “the Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit” (vs. 18). Self gets in the way. What grinding it takes to break the stubborn heart of man and to crush his proud spirit; God will not break one bone though — such are His tender mercies (vs. 20).

However, we must surely take our eyes from self and look upon the precious Saviour, of whom it is said, “a bone of Him shall not be broken” (John 19:36). Can we not hear the Spirit of Christ in this psalm? The One who was humbled for me, upon whom men spat? “Who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth: who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed himself to Him that judgeth righteously: who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:23-24). We hear it again so clearly in Psalm 22: “I will declare Thy name unto My brethren: in the midst of the congregation will I praise Thee ... for He hath not despised nor abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; neither hath He hid His face from Him; but when He cried unto Him, He heard” (Psa. 22:22, 24).

1 Samuel 22:1-2 – Psalm 142

1 David therefore departed thence, and escaped to the cave Adullam: and when his brethren and all his father’s house heard it, they went down thither to him. 2And every one that was in distress, and every one that was in debt, and every one that was discontented, gathered themselves unto him; and he became a captain over them: and there were with him about four hundred men.

Psalm 142

Maschil of David; A Prayer when he was in the cave. 1 I cried unto the Lord with my voice; with my voice unto the Lord did I make my supplication. 2 I poured out my complaint before Him; I shewed before Him my trouble. 3 When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then Thou knewest my path. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me. 4 I looked on my right hand, and beheld, but there was no man that would know me: refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul. 5 I cried unto Thee, O Lord: I said, Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living. 6Attend unto my cry; for I am brought very low: deliver me from my persecutors; for they are stronger than I. 7 Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Thy name: the righteous shall compass me about; for Thou shalt deal bountifully with me.

Meditation

The heading that accompanies Psalm 142 indicates that David wrote it during his time of refuge, when he was in the cave. We believe this to be the cave of Adullam. It is described as a prayer. Its opening is particularly poignant. A very literal translation reflecting the structure of the psalm might read:

My voice, unto Jehovah, I cry.
My voice, unto Jehovah, I supplicate.
I pour out, before Him, my complaint
My trouble, before Him, I show.

In fleeing Saul, David turned to the king of Gath, only to find that there could be no refuge with him. Cast out of his presence, David is alone and without human resource. The world is not a refuge for the Christian; God would not have us lean upon its leaders or institutions for help, particularly when it comes to matters of faith. David found, as he does at other times in his life, that the world’s assistance comes at a price, the compromise of faith. With no protection in Gath there was only One to whom David could turn, and that One already knew his path — “thou knewest my path” (vs. 3). Enemies may secretly lay snares for us (vs. 3), but the Lord sees it all.

David looked on his right hand but no man would know him; no man cared for his soul. There was no way for him to flee (vs. 4). How little we like to be found in such circumstances. At this time there was no great deliverance, just a cave and the Lord. “Thou art my refuge and my portion in the land of the living” (vs. 5). We may find ourselves in similar circumstances. The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, “all they which are in Asia be turned away from me” (2 Tim. 1:15). When he stood before Caesar at the time of his second imprisonment, he relates, “no man stood with me, but all men forsook me” (2 Tim. 4:16). Though people will fail us, God will never let us down. The Apostle goes on to say, “the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me” (2 Tim. 4:17). Sometimes the Lord provides us with nothing more than a sense of His presence in a quiet place, a moment of solitude in a world of turmoil. Could we ask for anything more?

David is very low (vs. 6). His persecutors are stronger than he. The Lord alone can release the imprisoned soul that it might once again praise God. His confidence is expressed at the last: “the righteous shall compass me about; for Thou shalt deal bountifully with me” (vs. 7). David’s hope was well founded; his brethren and his father’s house upon hearing of David’s plight went down to him. In all, 400 men joined him in that cave. It would appear that David resorted to the cave of Adullam at other times as well, and on at least one of those occasions, we find three of his mighty men there with him (2 Sam. 23:13).

Another group could be found gathered to David in that cave. They were in distress, they were in debt, and they had embittered spirits; they were without resource and in the depths of despair, and with whom do they find their refuge? They join themselves to a rejected David, the anointed one. Does this not remind us of our precious Saviour? Does not this scene also remind us of someone else? Only when we have reached the end of ourselves, when we came to ourselves (Luke 15:17), it was then that a rejected Saviour drew us to Himself.

The Five Refuges of Scripture

Five different Hebrew words are rendered “refuge” in the King James translation, two of which appear in this psalm. The number five conveys the thought of weakness. We have five digits on each hand and foot; David chose five smooth stones (1 Sam. 17:40); Paul would rather have spoken five words with his understanding, than ten thousand words in a foreign language (1 Cor. 14:19).

In verse four of our present psalm we read, “refuge failed me.” This could have been translated, “a way to flee eluded me,” for the word derives from the verb “to flee.” The world affords us no refuge; to whom can we flee? We join with Peter, “Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life” (John 6:68).

A different word is used in verse five: “thou art my refuge.” It also appears in the first verse of Psalm 46, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psa. 46:1). It means a place of hope and trust and is translated this way elsewhere. Well might we recall the lines of the hymn, “My hope on nothing less is built than Jesus, and the blood He spilt.”

The third word is also found in Psalm 46, “the Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our refuge” (Psa. 46:7). This word is frequently translated “defense” or “high tower” which most suitably describes the place of safety spoken of. In Psalm 59 it is used with the first word we considered: “Thou [God] hast been my defence [refuge] and refuge [a way to flee] in the day of my trouble” (Psa. 59:16). What better place to flee than to a high tower, and who is higher than God? “From the end of the earth will I cry unto Thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the Rock that is higher than I” (Psa. 61:2).

The fourth refuge is found in Deuteronomy 33, “the eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms” (Deut. 33:27). Here, the word means a den or dwelling place; Moses could pray, “Lord, Thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations” (Psa. 90:1). Conversely, in this world we have “no certain dwellingplace” (1 Cor. 4:11).

The fifth and final word is used in Numbers 35; here we find the cities of refuge, or asylum, that the children of Israel were to appoint. These cities are alluded to in Hebrews, chapter six, where a number of these thoughts come together — a way to flee; an asylum; a place of hope and trust — “who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast” (Heb. 6:18-19). Incidentally, this is the only instance where we find “refuge” in the King James translation of the New Testament.

1 Samuel 22:7-18 – Psalm 52

7 Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds; 8 that all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day? 9 Then answered Doeg the Edomite, which was set over the servants of Saul, and said, I saw the son of Jesse coming to Nob, to Ahimelech the son of Ahitub. 10And he enquired of the Lord for him, and gave him victuals, and gave him the sword of Goliath the Philistine. 11 Then the king sent to call Ahimelech the priest, the son of Ahitub, and all his father’s house, the priests that were in Nob: and they came all of them to the king. 12And Saul said, Hear now, thou son of Ahitub. And he answered, Here I am, my lord. 13And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast enquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day? 14 Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king’s son-in-law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honorable in thine house? 15 Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? Be it far from me: let not the king impute any thing unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more. 16And the king said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father’s house. 17And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, Turn, and slay the priests of the Lord; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the Lord. 18And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod.

Psalm 52

To the chief Musician, Maschil, A psalm of David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, and said unto him, David is come to the house of Ahimelech. 1 Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? The goodness of God endureth continually. 2 Thy tongue deviseth mischiefs; like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. 3 Thou lovest evil more than good; and lying rather than to speak righteousness. Selah. 4 Thou lovest all devouring words, O thou deceitful tongue. 5 God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, He shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living. Selah. 6 The righteous also shall see, and fear, and shall laugh at him: 7 Lo, this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness. 8 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God: I trust in the mercy of God for ever and ever. 9 I will praise Thee for ever, because Thou hast done it: and I will wait on Thy name; for it is good before Thy saints.

Meditation

What a sad scene presents itself in this chapter. Saul, the anointed of the Lord, in league with Doeg the Edomite! Saul’s outward profession does not hide his complete lack of faith. Bribery — “will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, and make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds” (1 Sam. 22:7) — is exactly the principle upon which Satan acts. He assumes that man responds to God because there is the promise of reward; that is how Satan deceived Eve. Faith operates on the very opposite principle; it believes without having seen. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Heb. 12:1). “Be of good cheer: for I believe God” (Acts 27:25). Without faith man is self-centered — “there is none of you that is sorry for me” (1 Sam. 22:8). The state Saul found himself in was a consequence of his own behavior, yet, refusing to accept responsibility for his circumstances, he accuses his own son: “my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse ... my son hath stirred up my servant against me” (1 Sam. 22:8). Sadly, Jonathan, who was a man of faith, was never willing to break the natural bonds that bound him to his father and to suffer the reproach of being with David.

If Saul is the professing man, Doeg is the profane man. There was no pretense with him; he boasted in mischief (Psa. 52:1). His tongue was a sharp razor, honed to speak deceit (vs. 2). He loved evil more than good and lying rather than righteousness (vs. 3). We live in a day when all pretense has been discarded, a day when restraint has been thrown off. “Where there is no vision the people cast off restraint” (Prov. 29:18 JND). The answer to the solemn question, “What shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (1 Pet. 4:17) — is given in our psalm, “God shall likewise destroy thee for ever, He shall take thee away, and pluck thee out of thy dwelling place, and root thee out of the land of the living” (vs. 5). The world stands in judgment of the very God whose existence they deny and blasphemously ask, “How can a loving God be so cruel?” Yet, “this is the man that made not God his strength; but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness” (vs. 8). Having spent their lives without reference to God, they curse the thought of being eternally separated from Him!

In contrast, the Lord was a root out of dry ground (Isa. 53:2) and all who place their trust in Him will flourish like a green olive tree (vs. 8). Whereas the wicked will be rooted up, those who receive the grace of God are planted in the house of God. This is our place where we might grow in separation from this world and produce fruit for Him through the Holy Spirit. “A garden inclosed is my sister, my spouse; a spring shut up, a fountain sealed. Thy plants are an orchard of pomegranates, with pleasant fruits; camphire, with spikenard, spikenard and saffron; calamus and cinnamon, with all trees of frankincense; myrrh and aloes, with all the chief spices: a fountain of gardens, a well of living waters, and streams from Lebanon. Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits” (Song of Sol. 4:12-16).

Faith rests upon the God of mercy and waits upon His name, “for it is good before Thy saints” (vs. 9). Despite the boasts of vain man, “The goodness of God endureth continually” (vs. 1).

1 Samuel 22:5; 23:14-18 – Psalm 63

5And the prophet Gad said unto David, Abide not in the hold; depart, and get thee into the land of Judah. Then David departed, and came into the forest of Hareth.

14And David abode in the wilderness in strong holds, and remained in a mountain in the wilderness of Ziph. And Saul sought him every day, but God delivered him not into his hand. 15And David saw that Saul was come out to seek his life: and David was in the wilderness of Ziph in a wood. 16And Jonathan Saul’s son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God. 17And he said unto him, Fear not: for the hand of Saul my father shall not find thee; and thou shalt be king over Israel, and I shall be next unto thee; and that also Saul my father knoweth. 18And they two made a covenant before the Lord: and David abode in the wood, and Jonathan went to his house.

Psalm 63

A psalm of David, when he was in the wilderness of Judah. 1 O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee: my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is; 2 To see Thy power and Thy glory, so as I have seen Thee in the sanctuary. 3 Because Thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise Thee. 4 Thus will I bless Thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in Thy name. 5 My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise Thee with joyful lips: 6 When I remember Thee upon my bed, and meditate on Thee in the night watches. 7 Because Thou hast been my help, therefore in the shadow of Thy wings will I rejoice. 8 My soul followeth hard after Thee: Thy right hand upholdeth me. 9 But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the lower parts of the earth. 10 They shall fall by the sword: they shall be a portion for foxes. 11 But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by Him shall glory: but the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.

Meditation

It is not merely that David has been driven from his home, but also the sanctuary of God: “Thou shalt bring them in, and plant them in the mountain of Thine inheritance, in the place, O Lord, which Thou hast made for Thee to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O Lord, which Thy hands have established” (Ex. 15:17). In keeping with this exile (and with the character of the psalms of the second book), it is not now Jehovah, the name of covenant relationship, but it is God, Elohim, on whom David calls. And yet, it is my God! No circumstance can break that personal relationship; nothing can take away from the knowledge that God is my God. “My God shall supply all your need” (Phil. 4:19).

A wilderness is known for its complete lack of resources, but is it water or food that David desires? No! It is the spiritual wilderness that David laments; it is the vision of the power and glory of God in the sanctuary that he craves. “My soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee” (vs. 1). Despite his circumstances, there is no sense of David having been forsaken in this psalm. “Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise Thee” (vs. 3). He has the sense of God’s presence with him. Far from finding leanness in David’s soul, we find it satisfied with marrow and fatness; joy is on his lips (vs. 5). Whether resting — “He giveth His beloved sleep” (Psa. 127:2) — or watching, David meditates upon his God. “I remember Thee upon my bed, and meditate on Thee in the night watches” (vs. 6).

It is not a question of Saul’s finding David, but of God’s not delivering him into his hand (1 Sam. 23:14). The circumstances that come into our lives come as God sees fit. Jonathan may return to his house, but David takes refuge in the shadow of the wings of His God (vs. 7). Will we, like Israel of old, decline that safe haven? “How often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!” (Luke 13:34). Oh, that we might, like Ruth, recognize the security of that place practically in our lives: “spread therefore thy skirt [wings] over thine handmaid” (Ruth 3:9). The soul that cleaves to God has a clear sense of His right hand upholding him (vs. 8). When we pull away, doubts plague us, and yet, as we read in another psalm of David: “though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with His hand” (Psa. 37:24).

There is one that seeks the destruction of our soul (vs. 9); the devil was a murderer from the beginning (John 8:44). For the unsaved, this is solemn, for “it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27). For the saved, we know that Satan can never take away the life we now possess — “I give them life eternal; and they shall never perish, and no one shall seize them out of My hand” (John 10:28 JND). He can, however, destroy our testimony. “Every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death” (James 1:14-15). Evil temptations come from within, and Satan, just as in the Garden of Eden, is ever the enticer.

The world is a wilderness, and though we have the assurance of God’s presence with us individually (Luke 24:15), it is never our home. David speaks of the king in the third person: “the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by Him shall glory” (vs. 11). Though the king is undoubtedly David himself, it looks beyond to Israel’s Messiah. We do not look for an earthly kingdom, but we do “await His Son from the heavens” (1 Thess. 1:10 JND). Furthermore, we do not await Christ’s return as king, though He will be that, but rather, we look for the coming of the Bridegroom for His bride.

No doubt there were many who, like Saul, spoke lies concerning David. It is good to remember that Satan is also the father of lies (John 8:44). In such situations it is invariably a question of our word against theirs, and it is best if we leave it all with the righteous Judge. The Lord never answered His accusers a word. Their own contradictory accounts only demonstrated the dishonesty of their accusations (Mark 14:55-59). One day the mouth of those that speak lies will be stopped (vs. 11).

1 Samuel 23:19-29 – Psalm 54

19 Then came up the Ziphites to Saul to Gibeah, saying, Doth not David hide himself with us in strong holds in the wood, in the hill of Hachilah, which is on the south of Jeshimon? 20 Now therefore, O king, come down according to all the desire of thy soul to come down; and our part shall be to deliver him into the king’s hand. 21And Saul said, Blessed be ye of the Lord; for ye have compassion on me. 22 Go, I pray you, prepare yet, and know and see his place where his haunt is, and who hath seen him there: for it is told me that he dealeth very subtilly. 23 See therefore, and take knowledge of all the lurking places where he hideth himself, and come ye again to me with the certainty, and I will go with you: and it shall come to pass, if he be in the land, that I will search him out throughout all the thousands of Judah. 24And they arose, and went to Ziph before Saul: but David and his men were in the wilderness of Maon, in the plain on the south of Jeshimon. 25 Saul also and his men went to seek him. And they told David: wherefore he came down into a rock, and abode in the wilderness of Maon. And when Saul heard that, he pursued after David in the wilderness of Maon. 26And Saul went on this side of the mountain, and David and his men on that side of the mountain: and David made haste to get away for fear of Saul; for Saul and his men compassed David and his men round about to take them. 27 But there came a messenger unto Saul, saying, Haste thee, and come; for the Philistines have invaded the land. 28 Wherefore Saul returned from pursuing after David, and went against the Philistines: therefore they called that place Selahammahlekoth. 29And David went up from thence, and dwelt in strong holds at Engedi.

Psalm 54

To the chief Musician on Neginoth, Maschil, A psalm of David, when the Ziphims came and said to Saul, Doth not David hide himself with us? 1 Save me, O God, by Thy name, and judge me by Thy strength. 2 Hear my prayer, O God; give ear to the words of my mouth. 3 For strangers are risen up against me, and oppressors seek after my soul: they have not set God before them. Selah. 4 Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul. 5 He shall reward evil unto mine enemies: cut them off in Thy truth. 6 I will freely sacrifice unto Thee: I will praise Thy name, O Lord; for it is good. 7 For He hath delivered me out of all trouble: and mine eye hath seen His desire upon mine enemies.

Meditation

We have already seen several references to “His name” in the psalms that we have considered. David waits on “His name” in (Psa. 52), he lifts up his hands in “His name” (Psa. 63), he exalts “His name” (Psa. 34), he praises “His name” (Psa. 142), and now he cries unto God to save him by “His name” (vs. 1). Recently a law was passed requiring all citizens of the United States traveling internationally to carry a passport. This created a considerable backlog of applications. It was not just vacations that were being jeopardized, but honeymoons, business plans and the like. Many tried to have their applications expedited but found it impossible to speak to anyone. As a last resort, they consulted their senators or congressmen for help. When the passport processing office received a call in the name of the senator or congressman, what a difference that made! The name of God takes in all that He is as revealed to man — God alone is our strength.

In verse one, it is not so much the thought of God’s judging David, but, as it is alternatively translated, “by Thy strength do me justice” (vs. 1 JND). When we find ourselves in a position where justice seems impossible, it is good to remember there is One who has the strength to vindicate us; and yet, should we expect wrongs to be righted in this world where, through the grossest of injustices, the Lord of Glory was crucified? “The servant is not greater than his lord” (John 15:20). Again, Christ is our example: “Who, when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously” (1 Pet. 2:23).

God hears prayer! He has an ear that hears (vs. 2). This is the language of Scripture; when we deviate from it, we lose the simplicity of faith. Nevertheless, we should be mindful that prayer is neither for ordering God about nor for making wishes. Indeed, we are told, “this is the confidence that we have in Him, that, if we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us” (1 John 5:14). When we do not ask according to His will, are we the losers for it? No! Prayer completes the armor of God (Eph. 6:18). Does a soldier go into battle without his Captain’s orders? Our hearts are knit together with Him through prayer, and when our Father says, No, My child, we have a greater understanding of His will for us.

Though strangers had risen up against David, betraying him to the very one who sought his life, David’s confidence is in God: “Behold, God is mine helper: the Lord is with them that uphold my soul” (vs. 4). It is good to remember whose side we are on! Can we lack confidence if we understand that? I recall a story that I heard of a miner who was pressured to join the union; his very job was at stake. His reply? As a child of God, it would be to his Father that they would have to answer. He was never harassed again. Oh, but David does not stop there. In his deliverance, David worships God and praises, not now the name of God, but the name of Jehovah: “I will freely sacrifice unto Thee: I will praise Thy name, O Lord [Jehovah]; for it is good” (vs. 6).

While the sentiments of verse five were appropriate for David in his day, in this dispensation of grace it should not be our desire to see God destroy our enemies with His truth. We have a new nature whose wishes are in agreement with those of a Saviour-God; He desires “all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:4). Alas, too often the flesh rises up within us, and our thoughts towards those who have hurt us are not in agreement with God’s thoughts. Like the disciples, we tend to want to bring down fire upon the heads of our enemies (Luke 9:54).

The words, “His desire” (i.e., the desire of his eye) in verse seven are in italics and are not in the original. David simply looked upon his enemies. Without David’s having to do anything at all, God ordered circumstances to distract Saul, and David is delivered — he could gaze upon their departing backs. David now departs to Engedi in the wilderness of eastern Judea; an oasis in the desert, an area well known for its springs, waterfall, and caves. In, relatively speaking, more modern times, we see a parallel in the distraction of the Ottoman Empire, which prevented the emperor Charles V from devoting his full attention to the antics of one, Martin Luther. If only these men of the Reformation had maintained their simple trust in God and not governments and armies.

1 Samuel 24 – Psalm 57

1And it came to pass, when Saul was returned from following the Philistines, that it was told him, saying, Behold, David is in the wilderness of Engedi. 2 Then Saul took three thousand chosen men out of all Israel, and went to seek David and his men upon the rocks of the wild goats. 3And he came to the sheepcotes by the way, where was a cave; and Saul went in to cover his feet: and David and his men remained in the sides of the cave. 4And the men of David said unto him, Behold the day of which the Lord said unto thee, Behold, I will deliver thine enemy into thine hand, that thou mayest do to him as it shall seem good unto thee. Then David arose, and cut off the skirt of Saul’s robe privily. 5And it came to pass afterward, that David’s heart smote him, because he had cut off Saul’s skirt. 6And he said unto his men, The Lord forbid that I should do this thing unto my master, the Lord’s anointed, to stretch forth mine hand against him, seeing he is the anointed of the Lord. 7 So David stayed his servants with these words, and suffered them not to rise against Saul. But Saul rose up out of the cave, and went on his way. 8 David also arose afterward, and went out of the cave, and cried after Saul, saying, My lord the king. And when Saul looked behind him, David stooped with his face to the earth, and bowed himself.

Psalm 57

To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David, when he fled from Saul in the cave. 1 Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in Thee: yea, in the shadow of Thy wings will I make My refuge, until these calamities be overpast. 2 I will cry unto God most high; unto God that performeth all things for me. 3 He shall send from heaven, and save me from the reproach of him that would swallow me up. Selah. God shall send forth His mercy and His truth. 4 My soul is among lions: and I lie even among them that are set on fire, even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows, and their tongue a sharp sword. 5 Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Thy glory be above all the earth. 6 They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah. 7 My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise. 8Awake up, my glory; awake, psaltery and harp: I myself will awake early. 9 I will praise thee, O Lord, among the people: I will sing unto Thee among the nations. 10 For Thy mercy is great unto the heavens, and Thy truth unto the clouds. 11 Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens: let Thy glory be above all the earth.

Meditation

Hitherto we have not considered the relationship between the psalms. The psalms are grouped morally and are not necessarily chronologically. In this particular instance, Psalm 57 comes after 56 in time; nevertheless, we know that several other psalms fall between them chronologically (e.g., 34, 142, 52, 63, and 54). Morally, Psalm 57 is brighter than 56. David is confident: his eye is fixed on God and His power and help.

David places his trust in God; He takes refuge beneath the shadow of His wings (vs. 1) and waits until the trial is past (vs. 2). Elohim Elyon — God most High (vs. 2) — is a millennial title; it emphasizes the supremacy of God over all; in this case it especially refers to the One “that performeth all things” (vs. 2). David is looking up and not to himself or to this earth; his help is from heaven (vs. 3). When we take things into our own hands, we fear; it was only after Moses had slain the Egyptian that he became afraid (Ex. 2:12-14). Even the cutting off of a piece of Saul’s robe caused David’s heart to smite him.

It is frequently forgotten that the psalms do not express a Christian position. David was the sweet psalmist of Israel (2 Sam. 23:1) and the psalms are very much connected with the trials and aspirations of that nation.

Despite the translation of the first verse, it is not mercy that David seeks but God’s gracious condescension. In contrast, we are the recipients of God’s full display of love in Christ. We can say, “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” (Rom. 8:32).

The Father in His gracious love,
Did spare Thee from His side;
And Thou didst stoop to bear above,
At such a cost, Thy bride. (L.F. #302)

We should marvel at the grace that has brought us into such a place. Do we thank and praise God? It should cause us to fall on our faces and worship Him. “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved” (Eph. 1:5-6).

In the cave with Saul and his men, David was in the midst of a veritable lion’s den, and yet, is it his own glory that he wishes to safeguard? No, not at all! “Be Thou exalted, O God, above the heavens; let Thy glory be above all the earth” (vs. 5). We hear the Spirit of Christ in these words: “Father, glorify Thy name” (John 12:28).

Is my heart fixed? Is it steadfast? David’s faith often puts us to shame: “My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed: I will sing and give praise” (vs. 7). In contrast, of Reuben it is said: “unstable as water, thou shalt not excel” (Gen. 49:4).

God would send forth His mercy and truth (vs. 3), and yet, it is only at Calvary that we see the two meeting together. Prior to the cross, they were of necessity accompanied by the forbearance of God. David proclaims the greatness of God’s mercy and His truth (vs. 10). God must be glorified; man will be humbled (vs. 11).

2 Samuel 8 (1 Chronicles 18) – Psalm 60

1And after this it came to pass, that David smote the Philistines, and subdued them: and David took Methegammah out of the hand of the Philistines. 2And he smote Moab, and measured them with a line, casting them down to the ground; even with two lines measured he to put to death, and with one full line to keep alive. And so the Moabites became David’s servants, and brought gifts. 3 David smote also Hadadezer, the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his border at the river Euphrates. 4And David took from him a thousand chariots, and seven hundred horsemen, and twenty thousand footmen: and David houghed all the chariot horses, but reserved of them for an hundred chariots. 5 And when the Syrians of Damascus came to succour Hadadezer king of Zobah, David slew of the Syrians two and twenty thousand men. 6 Then David put garrisons in Syria of Damascus: and the Syrians became servants to David, and brought gifts. And the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went. 7And David took the shields of gold that were on the servants of Hadadezer, and brought them to Jerusalem. 8And from Betah, and from Berothai, cities of Hadadezer, king David took exceeding much brass. 9 When Toi king of Hamath heard that David had smitten all the host of Hadadezer, 10 Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass: 11 Which also king David did dedicate unto the Lord, with the silver and gold that he had dedicated of all nations which he subdued; 12 of Syria, and of Moab, and of the children of Ammon, and of the Philistines, and of Amalek, and of the spoil of Hadadezer, son of Rehob, king of Zobah. 13And David gat him a name when he returned from smiting of the Syrians in the valley of salt, being eighteen thousand men. 14And he put garrisons in Edom; throughout all Edom put he garrisons, and all they of Edom became David’s servants. And the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went. 15And David reigned over all Israel; and David executed judgment and justice unto all his people. 16And Joab the son of Zeruiah was over the host; and Jehoshaphat the son of Ahilud was recorder; 17and Zadok the son of Ahitub, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, were the priests; and Seraiah was the scribe; 18and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada was over both the Cherethites and the Pelethites; and David’s sons were chief rulers.

Psalm 60

To the chief Musician upon Shushan-eduth, Michtam of David, to teach; when he strove with Aram-naharaim and with Aram-zobah, when Joab returned, and smote of Edom in the valley of salt twelve thousand. 1 O God, Thou hast cast us off, Thou hast scattered us, Thou hast been displeased; O turn Thyself to us again. 2 Thou hast made the earth to tremble; Thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh. 3 Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: Thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment. 4 Thou hast given a banner to them that fear Thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah. 5 That Thy beloved may be delivered; save with Thy right hand, and hear me. 6 God hath spoken in His holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth. 7 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver; 8 Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me. 9 Who will bring me into the strong city? Who will lead me into Edom? 10 Wilt not Thou, O God, which hadst cast us off? And Thou, O God, which didst not go out with our armies? 11 Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. 12 Through God we shall do valiantly: for He it is that shall tread down our enemies.

Meditation

At first reading, Psalm 60 does not seem to relate to the referenced events as described in the historical books of Samuel and Chronicles. In Samuel, with David now king over all Israel, we read of victory after victory. On the other hand, Psalm 60 begins by describing a people cast off and scattered. In rightly understanding this psalm it is helpful to again consider the character of the five books of the psalms. This psalm, as with the previous one considered, is in the second book. While these psalms speak of the remnant driven from the land, and in particular Jerusalem, they also take us as far as the millennial reign of righteousness and peace. (In fact the book concludes with this: see psalm 72.) The first five verses of Psalm 60 speak of the circumstances leading up to David’s reign and his victories. These incidents are described in the books of Samuel where we read of the reign of Saul, the willful king, and the divided kingdom under David and Ishbosheth. There were breaches; they had surely drunk the wine of astonishment (vss. 2-3). But now David (vs. 4), answering to “that root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign [banner] of the people” (Isa. 11:10), stands forth as a type of the true Jehovah-Nissi, that is to say, Jehovah my Banner (Ex. 17:15).

No matter whether it is Moses or David in a past day, the remnant in a future day, or ourselves in this present day, this psalm teaches us that God alone gives us the victory over our enemies. The help of man is vain (vss. 11-12). “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Cor. 15:57). Although this verse especially refers to the victory that is ours over death through our Lord Jesus Christ, we are also encouraged by it when we confront those other enemies in our lives.

It is quite remarkable to observe that Psalm 108 consists of the latter portions of Psalms 57 and Psalm 60. Psalm 57:7-11 corresponds to Psalm 108:1-5, and Psalm 60:5-12 corresponds to Psalm 108:6-13. Its character is most suited to the fifth book in which it falls. In this book the tribulation is over; the Beast and Antichrist are judged, Israel is back in the land, and Jehovah is again seen as dwelling in Zion. It is a new dawning; the psalm is a song of praise and victory.

2 Samuel 12:7, 9-14 – Psalm 51

7And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. ... 9 Wherefore hast thou despised the commandment of the Lord, to do evil in His sight? Thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. 10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. 11 Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house, and I will take thy wives before thine eyes, and give them unto thy neighbor, and he shall lie with thy wives in the sight of this sun. 12 For thou didst it secretly: but I will do this thing before all Israel, and before the sun. 13And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. 14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.

Psalm 51

To the chief Musician, A psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. 1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 4Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight: that Thou mightest be justified when Thou speakest, and be clear when Thou judgest. 5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part Thou shalt make me to know wisdom. 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which Thou hast broken may rejoice. 9 Hide Thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right [settled] spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and uphold me with Thy free spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto Thee. 14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of Thy righteousness. 15 O Lord, open Thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth Thy praise. 16 For Thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: Thou delightest not in burnt offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise. 18 Do good in Thy good pleasure unto Zion: build Thou the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then shalt Thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.

Meditation

It is upon the grace of God that David casts himself; there is no thought of redeeming oneself. Neither tears of repentance, humiliation, reformation, nor reparation, can accomplish redemption (Psa. 49:7). Repentance is not grief — though godly grief leads to repentance: “for grief according to God works repentance to salvation” (2 Cor. 7:10 JND). Man grieves, and, being occupied with himself, he shuts God out. Very often he is angry with God for having been found out. True repentance, on the other hand, takes God’s side against oneself: “I have sinned against the Lord” (2 Sam. 12:13). David accepts God’s view of his sin and justifies God in His judgment (vs. 4).

Man is unclean from birth (Lev. 12); he is shapen in iniquity (vs. 6). “By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Rom. 5:12). David is not in the least excusing himself; instead, he not only acknowledges the sin committed but also recognizes that there is a condition far more serious with man. How is it then, that he can add, “thou desirest truth in the inward parts” (vs. 6)? Indeed, how should man be just with God? (Job 9:1). “If I justify myself, mine own mouth shall condemn me. ... If I wash myself with snow water, and make my hands never so clean; yet shalt Thou plunge me in the ditch, and mine own clothes shall abhor me” (Job 9:20, 30-31). Only God can cleanse the guilty sinner; He alone can make us to know wisdom in our inmost heart (vs. 6). “Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow” (vs. 7). Hyssop was used to sprinkle the leper with blood (Lev. 14:6-7); the shed blood is the only righteous ground upon which God can cleanse. However, we must remember, whereas David knew something of the law of the leper, he knew nothing of that precious blood that cleanses us from all sin (1 John 1:7). David did not have the assurance of sins forgiven; he could only pray that God would hide His face from his sin and blot out all his iniquities (vs. 9).

Though David’s spirit trembled within him, he desired to be at peace again in the presence of God (vss. 10, 12). It is important to see the contrast between David’s position and the one we now enjoy. Because of the judgment borne on the cross by our Lord, we have no more conscience of sins (Heb. 10:2); there should be an awakened sense of sin, but not dread or anxiety for the believer. We may surely grieve the Holy Spirit, but it is equally clear that we are “sealed unto the day of redemption” (Eph. 4:30). While David pleaded with God, “take not thy Holy Spirit from me” (vs. 11), it would be ignorance for a believer to say such words. We can, however, lose the joy of our salvation, with our spirits restrained within us (vs. 12).

The restored sinner teaches others of the ways of God (vs. 13). Sadly, however, Nathan must tell David, “By this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme” (1 Sam. 12:14). Unfortunately, our lives may speak so loudly that our words are not heard, no matter how right they are.

Nothing in the law could clear David. His plea must be to the grace of God alone and the sacrifice of “a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart” (vs. 16-17). Once restored, and only then, could God take pleasure in sacrifices (vs. 19).

The latter portion of the psalm clearly anticipates the restoration of the remnant in Israel (vs. 18). Though David was indeed guilty of the blood of Uriah, the nation has been guilty of the blood of the Messiah. However, it is in the cross, the very place where Christ’s blood was shed, that God can in righteousness justify the sinner; there He becomes the God of my salvation (vs. 14).

2 Samuel 15:13-23 – Psalm 3

13And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. 14And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword. 15And the king’s servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint. 16And the king went forth, and all his household after him. And the king left ten women, which were concubines, to keep the house. 17And the king went forth, and all the people after him, and tarried in a place that was far off. 18And all his servants passed on beside him; and all the Cherethites, and all the Pelethites, and all the Gittites, six hundred men which came after him from Gath, passed on before the king. 19 Then said the king to Ittai the Gittite, Wherefore goest thou also with us? Return to thy place, and abide with the king: for thou art a stranger, and also an exile. 20 Whereas thou camest but yesterday, should I this day make thee go up and down with us? Seeing I go whither I may, return thou, and take back thy brethren: mercy and truth be with thee. 21And Ittai answered the king, and said, As the Lord liveth, and as my lord the king liveth, surely in what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be. 22And David said to Ittai, Go and pass over. And Ittai the Gittite passed over, and all his men, and all the little ones that were with him. 23And all the country wept with a loud voice, and all the people passed over: the king also himself passed over the brook Kidron, and all the people passed over, toward the way of the wilderness.

Psalm 3

A psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom his son. 1 Lord, how are they increased that trouble me! Many are they that rise up against me. 2 Many there be which say of my soul, there is no help for him in God. Selah. 3 But Thou, O Lord, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head. 4 I cried unto the Lord with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy hill. Selah. 5 I laid me down and slept; I awaked; for the Lord sustained me. 6 I will not be afraid of ten thousands of people, that have set themselves against me round about. 7Arise, O Lord; save me, O my God: for Thou hast smitten all mine enemies upon the cheek bone; thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly. 8 Salvation belongeth unto the Lord: Thy blessing is upon Thy people. Selah.

Meditation

It was a solemn day when Absalom, David’s son, caused him to flee from the land of Israel. Though David had truly repented and God had put away his sin from him, there were yet consequences as a result of his behavior. The Lord told David through the prophet Nathan, “Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house” (2 Sam. 12:11). Once again we see the principle of God’s government at work, “whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap” (Gal. 6:7). While we generally think of this in a negative way, we should also remember for our encouragement that it is as true of sowing good seed as it is of sowing bad. If we sow to our flesh, we will reap of its corruption. However, if we sow to the Spirit, we reap the enjoyment of the relationships and communion characteristic of the new life that we now possess. “He that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting” (Gal. 6:8).

Though David’s testimony had been weakened, and indeed many were saying, “there is no help for him in God” (vs. 2), David’s faith remains firm. We likewise need to enlarge our shield of faith; such barbs from the enemy are apt to make us falter. In this context, however, it is perhaps better described as the shield of the faithful, for Jehovah is David’s shield (vs. 3). With the Lord standing between us and our troubles, though 10,000 set themselves against us, we do not need to be afraid (vs. 6).

It is beautiful to see David’s crossing of the brook Kidron, weeping with the crowds, head covered and barefoot, submitting to the chastening hand of God (2 Sam. 15:30). David rests upon the grace of God: “If I shall find favor in the eyes of the Lord, He will bring me again” (2 Sam. 15:25). Jehovah is the lifter up of his head (vs. 3). Equally well, David justifies God’s knowing that the discipline is surely deserved. “If He thus say, I have no delight in thee; behold, here am I, let Him do to me as seemeth good unto Him” (2 Sam. 15:25-26). David’s cry is heard out of God’s holy hill; he can rest in peace (vs. 5). His situation had not changed, but through prayer his heart had.

The hearts of the people are revealed in this trial. Those that loved David joined him in his rejection. It was no longer a question of subjects being loyal to their king, but the true affections of the faithful. Among them were many foreigners: the Cherethites, the Pelethites, and the Gittites. Ittai is especially marked out as one that identified with David; there was no thought of him returning to those that had risen up against the King. No, David was everything to Ittai. “In what place my lord the king shall be, whether in death or life, even there also will thy servant be” (2 Sam. 15:21). Keep in mind that Goliath was a Gittite! Ittai had truly been delivered from that prince of this world and was now a follower of the true king. Troubles will likewise reveal the state of our hearts. Is the comfortable position that we enjoy the object of our affections, or is it the Lord Himself? Despite this or that circumstance in our lives, can we with David say, “But Thou, O Lord ... ” (vs. 3)? If we settle down in this world, our hearts must grow cold towards Christ.

We do not await the destruction of our enemies (vs. 7). In a sense, they are already a defeated foe. Rather, we look to the Lord and His coming for His saints, to return in glory with His saints.

2 Samuel 16 – Psalm 7

5And when king David came to Bahurim, behold, thence came out a man of the family of the house of Saul, whose name was Shimei, the son of Gera: he came forth, and cursed still as he came. 6And he cast stones at David, and at all the servants of king David: and all the people and all the mighty men were on his right hand and on his left. 7And thus said Shimei when he cursed, Come out, come out, thou bloody man, and thou man of Belial: 8 The Lord hath returned upon thee all the blood of the house of Saul, in whose stead thou hast reigned; and the Lord hath delivered the kingdom into the hand of Absalom thy son: and, behold, thou art taken in thy mischief, because thou art a bloody man. 9 Then said Abishai the son of Zeruiah unto the king, Why should this dead dog curse my lord the king? Let me go over, I pray thee, and take off his head. 10And the king said, What have I to do with you, ye sons of Zeruiah? So let him curse, because the Lord hath said unto him, Curse David. Who shall then say, Wherefore hast thou done so? 11And David said to Abishai, and to all his servants, Behold, my son, which came forth of my bowels, seeketh my life: how much more now may this Benjamite do it? Let him alone, and let him curse; for the Lord hath bidden him. 12 It may be that the Lord will look on mine affliction, and that the Lord will requite me good for his cursing this day. 13And as David and his men went by the way, Shimei went along on the hill’s side over against him, and cursed as he went, and threw stones at him, and cast dust. 14And the king, and all the people that were with him, came weary, and refreshed themselves there.

Psalm 7

Shiggaion of David, which he sang unto the Lord, concerning the words of Cush the Benjamite. 1 O Lord my God, in Thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me: 2 Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver. 3 O Lord my God, if I have done this; if there be iniquity in my hands; 4 If I have rewarded evil unto him that was at peace with me; (yea, I have delivered him that without cause is mine enemy:) 5 Let the enemy persecute my soul, and take it; yea, let him tread down my life upon the earth, and lay mine honor in the dust. Selah. 6Arise, O Lord, in Thine anger, lift up Thyself because of the rage of mine enemies: and awake for me to the judgment that Thou hast commanded. 7 So shall the congregation of the people compass Thee about: for their sakes therefore return Thou on high. 8 The Lord shall judge the people: judge me, O Lord, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me. 9 Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins. 10 My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart. 11 God judgeth the righteous, and God is angry with the wicked every day. 12 If he turn not, He will whet His sword; He hath bent His bow, and made it ready. 13 He hath also prepared for him the instruments of death; He ordaineth His arrows against the persecutors. 14 Behold, he travaileth with iniquity, and hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood. 15 He made a pit, and digged it, and is fallen into the ditch which he made. 16 His mischief shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down upon his own pate. 17 I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness: and will sing praise to the name of the Lord most High.

Meditation

Though Shimei knew nothing of Nathan’s words to David, he was fulfilling the word of God. Of the tribe of Benjamin — as was Saul — Shimei viewed David’s troubles as just retribution for having taken the kingdom from Saul. How little he knew of the king. David had opportunity to take Saul’s life, and yet he would not lay his hand upon the Lord’s anointed. David does not, however, quibble about the cause; he was a man of blood. He had caused the death of an innocent man: “thou hast killed Uriah the Hittite with the sword” (2 Sam. 12:9). David’s response to Abishai is most commendable: “So let him curse, because the Lord hath said unto him, Curse David” (2 Sam. 16:10).

The psalm presents a different perspective than the historic account; in it we have expressed the feelings of the heart. David is not indifferent to the taunts of the enemy. We should never suppose that the man of faith is without feeling. David feels his own weakness, but rather than succumbing to it, he places his trust in Jehovah. “O Lord my God, in Thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me” (vs. 1).

False accusations are hard to take; David lays them before God. If the things that Shimei said were true, David would submit to the consequences, setting his honor aside (vs. 5). If not, there was One who judged righteously (vs. 11 JND). When falsely charged, it is good to remember that it matters little how man judges us; on the other hand, it matters greatly how the Lord sees us. Paul could say concerning his service: “It is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but He that judgeth me is the Lord” (1 Cor. 4:3-4). Paul was not conscious of wrong, but that did not justify him; he was ready to submit to the scrutiny of the Lord. David felt the integrity of his heart, but submitted to the one that tries the heart and reins (vss. 8-9). While we see like principles at work in these two portions, we must again remind ourselves that the sentiments expressed by David in the latter portion of the psalm are not the experiences of a Christian. It is our portion to suffer with Christ that we may be glorified together with Him. It is not the time to call for the destruction of the wicked.

Nevertheless, in God’s ways of government, the wicked fall into their own pit. His mischief shall return upon his own head (vs. 16). “Whoso diggeth a pit shall fall therein: and he that rolleth a stone, it will return upon him” (Prov. 26:27). Prophetically, verses 14-16 especially refer to the Antichrist. “He travaileth with iniquity, yea, he hath conceived mischief, and brought forth falsehood” (vs. 14). The psalm concludes with praise to Jehovah most High, His millennial title, all enemies having been put down.

2 Samuel 22 – Psalm 18

To the chief Musician, A psalm of David, the servant of the Lord, who spake unto the Lord the words of this song in the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul: And he said, 1 I will love Thee, O Lord, my strength. 2 The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower. 3 I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies. 4 The sorrows of death compassed me, and the floods of ungodly men made me afraid. 5 The sorrows of hell compassed me about: the snares of death prevented me. 6 In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God: He heard my voice out of His temple, and my cry came before Him, even into His ears. 7 Then the earth shook and trembled; the foundations also of the hills moved and were shaken, because He was wroth. 8 There went up a smoke out of His nostrils, and fire out of His mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it. 9 He bowed the heavens also, and came down: and darkness was under His feet. 10And He rode upon a cherub, and did fly: yea, He did fly upon the wings of the wind. 11 He made darkness His secret place; His pavilion round about Him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies. 12At the brightness that was before Him His thick clouds passed, hail stones and coals of fire. 13 The Lord also thundered in the heavens, and the Highest gave His voice; hail stones and coals of fire. 14 Yea, He sent out His arrows, and scattered them; and He shot out lightnings, and discomfited them. 15 Then the channels of waters were seen, and the foundations of the world were discovered at Thy rebuke, O Lord, at the blast of the breath of Thy nostrils. 16 He sent from above, He took me, He drew me out of many waters. 17 He delivered me from my strong enemy, and from them which hated me: for they were too strong for me. 18 They prevented me in the day of my calamity: but the Lord was my stay. 19 He brought me forth also into a large place; He delivered me, because He delighted in me. 20 The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath He recompensed me. 21 For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God. 22 For all His judgments were before me, and I did not put away His statutes from me. 23 I was also upright before Him, and I kept myself from mine iniquity. 24 Therefore hath the Lord recompensed me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in His eyesight. 25 With the merciful Thou wilt show Thyself merciful; with an upright man Thou wilt show Thyself upright; 26 With the pure Thou wilt shew Thyself pure; and with the froward Thou wilt show Thyself froward. 27 For Thou wilt save the afflicted people; but wilt bring down high looks. 28 For Thou wilt light my candle: the Lord my God will enlighten my darkness. 29 For by Thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall. 30As for God, His way is perfect: the word of the Lord is tried: He is a buckler to all those that trust in Him. 31 For who is God save the Lord? or who is a rock save our God? 32 It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect. 33 He maketh my feet like hinds’ feet, and setteth me upon my high places. 34 He teacheth my hands to war, so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. 35 Thou hast also given me the shield of Thy salvation: and Thy right hand hath holden me up, and Thy gentleness hath made me great. 36 Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip. 37 I have pursued mine enemies, and overtaken them: neither did I turn again till they were consumed. 38 I have wounded them that they were not able to rise: they are fallen under my feet. 39 For Thou hast girded me with strength unto the battle: Thou hast subdued under me those that rose up against me. 40 Thou hast also given me the necks of mine enemies; that I might destroy them that hate me. 41 They cried, but there was none to save them: even unto the Lord, but He answered them not. 42 Then did I beat them small as the dust before the wind: I did cast them out as the dirt in the streets. 43 Thou hast delivered me from the strivings of the people; and Thou hast made me the head of the heathen: a people whom I have not known shall serve me. 44As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me. 45 The strangers shall fade away, and be afraid out of their close places. 46 The Lord liveth; and blessed be my rock; and let the God of my salvation be exalted. 47 It is God that avengeth me, and subdueth the people under me. 48 He delivereth me from mine enemies: yea, Thou liftest me up above those that rise up against me: Thou hast delivered me from the violent man. 49 Therefore will I give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto Thy name. 50 Great deliverance giveth He to His king; and sheweth mercy to his anointed, to David, and to his seed for evermore.

Meditation

Psalm 18 and the song found in 2 Samuel 22 are the same; only minor differences exist between the two. In the books of Samuel, the psalm comes at the close of David’s life. The prophetic nature of the psalm, and the prophetic parallels found in the books of Samuel account for its placement at the close of these books. The psalm answers to the time when Christ will return to deliver Israel from the Antichrist and subdue all their enemies. David is clearly a type of Christ, whereas Saul is typical of the man of violence, the Antichrist (2 Sam. 22:49; Psa. 18:48).

The Lord Jesus Christ alone answers in an absolute way to the language of the psalm: “The Lord rewarded me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands hath He recompensed me” (vs. 20); this fits no one in the full sense of the text except the Lord Himself. And although Gentiles were subject to David, verses 43-45 will not be fully realized until the millennial reign of Christ.

The psalm may be outlined in the following manner: vss. 1-3 summarize the whole and describe David’s relationship with Jehovah in the day of his deliverance; vss. 4-6 describe David’s conflict and his cry for help; vss. 7-15 give us God’s answer from the heavens; in vss. 16-18 we read of David’s deliverance; vss. 19-24 describe David’s uprightness in the sight of God; vss. 25-29 present the principles upon which God acts in His righteous government; in vss. 30-42 David acknowledges that all his strength derives from Jehovah, the God of Israel; vss. 43-45 show David established as king, head over the Gentile nations; vss. 46-50 conclude the psalm with David’s exalting God and praising Jehovah for his deliverance.

There is much practical encouragement in the psalm that we can take to heart. The whole psalm hinges upon this one expression: “I will call upon the Lord, who is worthy to be praised: so shall I be saved from mine enemies” (vs. 3). David knew Jehovah personally: He was his rock, his fortress, his deliverer, his God, his strength, his shield, the horn of his salvation and his high tower. We find in Psalm 23 that Jehovah was not merely a shepherd, but rather, He was David’s shepherd: “The Lord is my shepherd” (Psa. 23:1). Can we say as David did, the Lord is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer? Do we know Him practically as these things in our life? He wants to be.

David was heard in the day of his trouble because he had found favor in the sight of God: “He delivered me, because he delighted in me” (vs. 19). The principle remains true today. It is the Lord’s joy in us that gives us our strength — not so much our joy in Him, though that is surely wonderful, but His joy in us. “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Neh. 8:10). And how do we bring joy to God? Surely He rejoices when His children are walking according to the truth (2 John 4).

We do not expect God to deliver us from all difficulty; indeed, we are warned, “In the world ye shall have tribulation” (John 16:33). However, the Lord neither begins nor ends with these words; in all He says: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in Me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” Unlike David, we do not look for great victories in the earthly realm. We are, however, called upon to be overcomers, and Christ has already overcome the world.

A man of faith has peace despite his circumstances, and one with a clear conscience has nothing to fear. “Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in His commandments. ... He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord. His heart is established, he shall not be afraid” (Psa. 112:1, 7-8). When our hearts are not right with God, when things come in to cloud that happy communion that should be ours, then we are troubled: “Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (1 John 3:21-22).

It should be emphasized that the Christian does not do works to gain favor with God, but rather, “we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them” (Eph. 2:10). An obedient walk is evidence of our love toward God (John 14:15).

The psalm concludes with: “Therefore will I give thanks unto Thee, O Lord, among the heathen, and sing praises unto Thy name” (vs. 49). Though in a different sense, it is good to openly acknowledge the source of our help before those who do not know the Saviour. When God answers prayer, do we provide an explanation acceptable to those around us, or do we acknowledge the One from whom deliverance came? “Sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Pet. 3:15).

2 Samuel 5:4-12; 1 Chronicles 22:1-5 – Psalm 30

4 David was thirty years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years. 5 In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months: and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty and three years over all Israel and Judah. ... 9 So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built round about from Millo and inward. 10And David went on, and grew great, and the Lord God of hosts was with him. 11And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house. 12And David perceived that the Lord had established him king over Israel, and that He had exalted his kingdom for his people Israel’s sake.

1 Chronicles 22

1 Then David said, This is the house of the Lord God, and this is the altar of the burnt offering for Israel. 2And David commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God. 3And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joinings; and brass in abundance without weight; 4Also cedar trees in abundance: for the Zidonians and they of Tyre brought much cedar wood to David. 5And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the Lord must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death.

Psalm 30

A psalm and song at the dedication of the house of David. 1 I will extol Thee, O Lord; for Thou hast lifted me up, and hast not made my foes to rejoice over me. 2 O Lord my God, I cried unto Thee, and Thou hast healed me. 3 O Lord, Thou hast brought up my soul from the grave: Thou hast kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. 4 Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness. 5 For His anger endureth but a moment; in His favor is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. 6And in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved. 7 Lord, by Thy favor Thou hast made my mountain to stand strong: Thou didst hide Thy face, and I was troubled. 8 I cried to Thee, O Lord; and unto the Lord I made supplication. 9 What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise Thee? Shall it declare Thy truth? 10 Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me: Lord, be Thou my helper. 11 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: Thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; 12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to Thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto Thee forever.

Meditation

It is not clear which house is referred to in the title. The heading is variously translated “A psalm and song at the dedication of the house of David” (as in the King James version) or “A psalm of David: dedication-song of the house” (as in the JND translation). The original Hebrew does not exactly express the thought, “House of David,” but rather, it uses the same expression employed in those psalms in which the title reads “A psalm of David,” perhaps more correctly rendered, “A psalm by David.” A literal translation could be given as, “A psalm; a song-of-dedication of the house. By David.” Given that it is merely “The House,” it may refer either to David’s own house or to the temple, though not yet built.

It was in David’s heart to build the temple, but as a man of blood (1 Chron. 22:8), it remained for his son Solomon, a man of peace, to do so (1 Chron. 22:9-10). Nevertheless, David gathered material together to that end (1 Chron. 22:1-5). What would be more appropriate than for David to dedicate those things, which were no doubt of immense value, lest any should think to use them otherwise? David’s preparations for the temple began in earnest after Jehovah answered him at the threshing floor of Ornan. It was there that he called upon the Lord for the pestilence that had fallen upon Israel as a result of his sin in numbering the people (1 Chron. 21). At that time he said of the place, “This is the house of Jehovah God” (1 Chron. 22:1).

The psalm expresses the praises of one having come out of a deep trial. Whether it comes after David had built his own house (his kingdom having been finally established over all Israel) or whether it follows the occasion at the threshing floor of Ornan, the psalm speaks of one brought back, as it were, from the grave (vs. 3). The hand of the Lord is clearly recognized by the psalmist in the trial; he tells of God’s anger but also of the joy that comes in the morning, the dawning of a new day (vs. 5).

If we suppose this psalm to be consequent upon David’s pride in numbering the people, we may well marvel at the expression: “Sing unto the Lord, O ye saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness” (vs. 4). David voluntarily fell into the hand of the Lord because of His mercies, and yet, by all accounts, the consequences were severe: 70,000 men died from the plague (2 Sam. 24:15; 1 Chron. 21:14). We might excuse David for being angry, or at least despondent, but he’s singing! Furthermore, David gives thanks at the remembrance of the holiness of Jehovah! Do we place such value upon the holiness of God, especially when we are the objects of His chastening hand? As we look around in Christendom, we marvel at the indifference and complete lack of reverence toward God. It is good to remember, however, that indifference to the holiness of God begins with us individually.

David in his prosperity could not be moved (vs. 6), but when God hid His face — “Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity” (Hab. 1:13) — he was troubled. In our prosperity God may be acknowledged, but so often our lives are all about me: my prosperity, I shall never be moved, my mountain (vss. 6-7). In his troubled state David cried to the Lord (vs. 8). Job, when pressed by his friends justified himself at the expense of God; the man of the world shakes his fist at God, but blessing only comes into our lives when we turn to God and submit to His instruction. Surely this is the purpose of trials.

We are responsible to conduct ourselves according to the new nature in the power of the Holy Spirit, and, as the children of God, we come under His government — we feel His approval when we do good, and we are brought to feel His disapproval when we do evil. “Whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth” (Heb. 12:6). It is equally well to remember that we do not have a capricious God; He does not seek to destroy us. “What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit?” (vs. 9). Satan is the liar and murderer; he is the destroyer. How interesting to observe that the gods of men’s creation are vengeful, impulsive creatures of unrestrained passion. In contrast, the true God, though a God of all penetrating light, is also the God of love. No greater love was ever displayed than at the cross, and yet, there was never a more revealing light to expose the true nature of man. “The Lord will not cast off forever: but though He cause grief, yet will He have compassion according to the multitude of His mercies. For He doth not afflict willingly nor grieve the children of men” (Lam. 3:31-33).

In reflecting on the trial, the palmist does not dwell on the evil; it is all about Jehovah and the blessings of a relationship with Him. It is Jehovah that turns his mourning to dancing and replaces his sackcloth with gladness (vs. 11). The outcome is praise to God: “I will give thanks unto thee forever” (vs. 12).

Conclusion

It is fitting that one cannot match with certainty the historical clue offered by the title of this final psalm against the history of David’s life. Although the psalms provide insight into the exercises of David’s heart, they do not require their historical context to be understood. Rather, they have been chosen by God and placed together in an order answering to His special purposes. When Israel in a future day is caught up in that terrible trial which will come upon the whole habitable world (Rev. 3:10), the psalms will be a tremendous help and comfort. The church, the bride of Christ, will have answered the call, “Come up hither” (Rev. 4:1) and will be kept from that time of tribulation (Rev. 3:10).

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