Psalm 30

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What does the title of this psalm teach us about discipleship?

2. What is the significance of thankfulness when it comes to praise?

3. Why is it important to understand the difference between God getting angry but not bitter?

4. David prays a bold prayer in verses 8-10, revealing to the LORD his motive for living. Do we resonate with David’s words here? Or do we often find ourselves living for something other than God’s glory? Is it permissible for Christians to pray similar prayers as David’s here?

SERMON MANUSCRIPT:

Psalm 30 is a psalm of thanksgiving intended to be sung during the temple's dedication. It bridges the past and the future, expressing gratitude and praise for God's past work while assuming God’s faithfulness in the future. It’s a psalm that teaches us critical truths about God: God is a deliverer, is slow to anger and never bitter, and is the extender of favor and joy.

Today, we will again be reminded that God's mercy and grace transform suffering into joy and worship. The God who dwelt with Israel was an excellent God worthy of praise, and the God who dwells with us by living in us is a good God worthy of praise.

Let’s dive in.

“A Psalm of David. A song at the dedication of the temple.”

The title of this Psalm is quite enlightening. Here, we see two things: the author and the intention of this psalm. This psalm, written by David, was to be sung when the temple was dedicated. What’s interesting about these two things, though, is that the temple wasn’t constructed until after David died.

In 2 Samuel 7, David expresses his desire to build a house for the LORD. But, in response, the LORD comes to David through Nathan and says (Ryan’s paraphrase), “Thank you! But, instead of you building a house for me, I will make you into a house. When you die, I will raise up your offspring after you, and he shall build a house for my name. I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.”

So, behind the scenes of this psalm, we see David’s confidence in God’s promises. Even if he would never see it with his own eyes, David was confident the temple would be built for the LORD.

Why is David so confident the temple will be built? Because God said so. When God says he will do something, he will do it.

But, behind the scenes of this psalm, we also see David’s selflessness in how he prepared others to do the work he wanted to do. Serving the LORD is never about serving you; it’s about the LORD. Serving the LORD is not about your glory but his glory. Serving the LORD is a selfless endeavor; it’s a lifting up of the LORD and a lowering of self.

But, sometimes, it’s hard to keep the main thing the main thing. When we have an idea of how we want to serve the LORD, if we don’t get the credit for that work or don't get to do that work, then we shut down and pout.

Oh, friends! May we never forget that kingdom work is about the glory of the King, not the glory of the King’s servants. Put more bluntly, the Christian faith is more about Jesus than it is about you.

Here, we see David willingly lay down his desire to carry out his dream for God’s kingdom and equip others for the work he wanted to do. David had a vision to build a house for the LORD, yet he wouldn’t be able to. But instead of pouting, he worked to prepare those behind him for that work.

Is this not discipleship? David knew the temple would be built one day, and he was preparing God’s people for that moment, even though he wouldn’t be there. A crucial part of discipleship is preparing those behind you to worship long after you’re gone. Godly leaders seek to do the work of the ministry while also preparing others for the work of the ministry. Godly leaders are willing to let go. Godly leaders are content with passing the torch. Godly leaders are eager to equip. Godly leaders strive to leave the pockets of the next generation full of truths about God so that they will never grow weary of reasons to praise.

Friends, one day, you and I will breathe our last breath. So, what are we doing to prepare those behind us for that moment?

Let’s examine how David seeks to prepare God’s people for worship after he departs.

LIFT UP IN PRAISE THE GOD WHO HAS LIFTED US FROM THE PIT

First, David lifts the LORD up in praise because the LORD had lifted him up from despair.

“[1] I will extol you, O LORD, for you have drawn me up

and have not let my foes rejoice over me.

[2] O LORD my God, I cried to you for help,

and you have healed me.

[3] O LORD, you have brought up my soul from Sheol;

you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit.”

The phrase “extol” is a common word used within the context of worship in the Old Testament. It means holding someone up as most precious and glorious; it’s viewing God as the most excellent one above all things. It’s a term of praise that often stems from deliverance. In Exodus 15, for example, Israel “extols” Yahweh for their deliverance from the Egyptians (cf. 15:2). So, David is lifting God up in praise because God has drawn him up from despair.

The language of “drawn me up” is salvation language. It’s likened to drawing water up from a well (Ex. 2:16, 19). So, like water being pulled from a well, God has lifted David up from the hands of the enemy. David has escaped the hand of the enemy, and they can no longer rejoice over him. In the same way that God delivered his people from the oppressive hand of the Egyptians, he delivered David from the hand of the enemy. And in the same way God delivered David from the hand of the enemy, he has “delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son (Col. 1:13).”

God is a deliverer. He is the only one capable of pulling us from despair and darkness. In our lowest moments, when we feel as if the enemy has his teeth latched into us, it is God who can save us. It has been and always will be Christ who saves. David is teaching us, from his personal experiences, that we are invited to cry out to the LORD for help. God is a deliverer. He is a God who reaches down into the pit and saves.

So, are you hurting this morning? Is your soul in trouble? Is your spirit weak? Does it feel like your soul is in the place of the dead, Sheol? Cry out to the LORD for help! The all-powerful God of the universe is our helper. The transcendent God is also imminent. He is far above, separate from us (transcendent) but also close (imminent).

The beauty of the gospel is that Christ has saved us from the pit by getting in it with us. He who knew no sin became sin so that we might become the righteousness of Christ. Jesus's life, death, and resurrection are the instruments God chose to use to pull us out of darkness and into the light. The only proper response to this deliverance is gratitude and praise. Praise is a response to grace. When God pulled David out of the pit, he was met with grace, and praise rightly followed.

If we are in Christ, we have been met with grace today. We have been delivered from the oppressive hand of sin, death, and Satan. And praise is the only proper response to such grace. God heard your cry for help, and he has answered. So, we, like David, should “extol” the LORD!

PRAISE AND THANKFULNESS

This personal experience of David leads him to say to the generation behind him,

“[4] Sing praises to the LORD, O you his saints,

and give thanks to his holy name.”

The term “saints” here means “holy ones” or “faithful ones.” It describes God’s people, those who belong to God. It means they have been set apart and declared holy. The Bible uses this term to describe both our status and our character. Their status is that of holy ones because they belong to the Holy God. For us now, in Christ, we, too, are positionally holy, set apart, and called saints. Because of what Christ did for us on the cross, we have been set apart from the world and belong exclusively to God. Our sin was placed upon Jesus, and his righteousness was put upon us, so now, when God sees us, he sees us as holy, blameless, and above reproach. We are saints because God has set us apart and declared us holy. But, those declared holy will begin to walk in holiness. Those with the title of “faithful one” will seek to walk faithfully. Our character ought to reflect our status, and part of the character of a saint is a devotion to worship.

Notice here in verse 4 how praise and thankfulness go hand in hand. They’re partners in crime. Thankfulness is to praise as Batman is to Robin. A thankful heart is a praising heart, and a praising heart is a thankful heart. Thankfulness and praise often stem from receiving a gift you don't deserve. Those who have been met with grace always have a reason to be thankful. Those who have been met with grace always have a reason to praise. A grateful heart should be accompanied by singing lips.

ANGRY, BUT NOT BITTER

Why should the saints be thankful? They should be grateful because “his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime. Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”

The word for anger refers to God’s righteous anger. It conveys a sense of intensity and severity, but David tells us that his anger is short-lived. God is slow to anger, yes, but he’s also quick to resolve it. He doesn’t let his anger simmer and take over his heart. God gets angry, but he never gets bitter. Bitterness has destroyed many relationships throughout history. But God doesn’t allow bitterness to rule his heart. No, his anger is only for a moment. His favor, however, is for a lifetime. Favor means goodwill, acceptance, delight, or pleasure. It’s the opposite of rejection; it’s acceptance and embrace. So, where bitterness divides and pushes away, favor unites and pulls in. Yes, God hates sin, and anger is the only righteous response to his people's sin. But God is not short-tempered. He’s quick to forgive. And he invites us to a life of acceptance, joy, and favor.

No matter the cause, any trial feels like it will never end. Discipline, especially, seems unending. When tears fill our eyes, we’re tempted to think the sun will never shine again. But this psalm reminds us that the sun will shine again. God is not bitter toward us. He doesn’t hold things against us. He casts our sin as far as the East is from the West. Joy is on the other side of discipline. Your tears may last for the night. But remember that the morning is coming, and joy comes in the morning.

Do you believe this to be true today? Do you understand that God’s common disposition toward his people is not anger but favor? Do you know that God is for you today? Let this be water to your soul this morning. Perhaps you’ve blown it. Maybe you’ve sinned greatly. Please know that God's anger is temporary, and his favor is lasting. God offers you grace, forgiveness, and joy this morning.

Before we move on, let me speak to those holding onto bitterness this morning. If the God who feels indignation daily is slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love, shouldn’t we do the same? If God’s anger is only for a moment, why are you letting your anger last for a lifetime? Some of us must let this truth about God seep deep into our hearts today. Some of us need to lay our anger down at the foot of the cross today. Anger, left unchecked, is a poison that will destroy us. So, may today be the day when we taste the joy of forgiveness.

GOD > PROSPERITY

David then shifts from a corporate call to a personal example. He says,

“As for me, I said in my prosperity,

‘I shall never be moved.’

By your favor, O LORD, you made my mountain stand strong;

you hid your face; I was dismayed.”

When used in the context of the LORD, the phrase “I shall never be moved” has a positive connotation. It depicts an immovable confidence in the LORD. But it can also have a negative connotation whenever it conveys confidence in something other than the LORD.

The language used here seems to indicate David's confidence in his own prosperity. He looked at his wealth and possessions and thought, “I’m good! No harm can touch me.” The favor of the LORD was on his life, and his mountain stood firm. But, then the LORD hid his face, and he was dismayed. He realized his hope and security didn’t reside in his wealth, health, power, and prosperity. No, his full pockets produced nothing when the LORD hid his face.

This led to David crying out to the LORD,

“To you, O LORD, I cry,

and to the Lord I plead for mercy:

‘What profit is there in my death,

if I go down to the pit? Will the dust praise you?

Will it tell of your faithfulness?

Hear, O LORD, and be merciful to me!

O LORD, be my helper!”

The language here is strong and bold. He’s saying to God, “What good is there for me to be dead?” If I’m dead, I won't be able to praise you. But, as long as there’s breath in my lungs, I will sing your praise!” This prayer of David reveals his goal in life. He lets God peek deep into his motives, saying, “The primary goal of my life is to bring glory to praise you and tell of your faithfulness!”

David's language here closely resembles Paul’s when he says, “For me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” In other words, yes, death is gain! When we die, we will be with our Savior and Lord forever. But as long as we’re here on earth, our life will be for Jesus. We’re here on this earth to worship him and tell of his goodness! So, Lord, show us mercy! Be merciful to us so that we might praise you!

Friends, let me ask you: What is your motive for living? What does your heart beat for today? Does it long to make much of Jesus, or does it beat for something else?

WEEPING INTO DANCING

It seems the LORD was gracious in answering the cry of David because he then says,

“You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;

you have loosed my sackcloth

and clothed me with gladness,

that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent.

O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever!”

Prosperity has a strange way of taking our eyes off the LORD, but trials have a peculiar way of fixing our eyes on him. Prosperity provides a false sense of hope and security. But when the sovereign LORD blows our straw houses down, we realize we are nothing without him. And when our straw house crumbles, God is there to deliver. And when God delivers, joy follows. When God mercifully acts on behalf of the needy, mourning is turned into dancing. When God delivers, our sackcloth (clothing closely tied to grief and distress) is replaced with gladness. Mercy leads to thankful proclamation.

We have a lot to be thankful for, church. But may we be careful not to limit our thankfulness to physical things that can be destroyed in the blink of an eye. May our hearts be filled with thankfulness because God is a merciful deliverer. May our hearts be filled with thankfulness because God didn’t leave us in the pit of despair.

As we close today, let me land the plane on the hope of the gospel. Let me direct our attention to the cross, where Jesus turned our mourning into laughter. On the night that Jesus was nailed on the cross, the disciples wept through the night. But their weeping was short-lived, and joy came in the morning. Jesus was soon raised to life, and his resurrection is the key that brings us to life.

All who look upon Jesus in faith experience their wailing turning into dancing. All whose faith resides in Jesus will experience their sackcloth being exchanged for gladness. And our praise will never be silenced.

As God’s people were dedicating the temple of the LORD, the holy house of the LORD, they were reminded of God’s faithfulness amid difficulties. They were reminded that their God is excellent and worthy of praise.

Church, let me remind you that God no longer dwells in a building. God dwells in you. You, the church, are the temple of the LORD. God has lifted you out of the pit of despair, he has redeemed you, and he now dwells in you. So, may we always sing of his goodness and seek to tell all of his faithfulness. All who have been saved will find unending joy in Jesus.

Psalm 111

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. What is praise?

2. Have you ever thought about the difference between praise and worship?

3. What are some reasons every believer has to praise God?

4. What are some reasons in your life specifically that you have to praise God?

5. Does our praise on Sunday mornings accurately represent an all powerful and eternal God?

Psalm 33

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Why is right doctrine so important to the Christian faith?

2. What does this song teach us about God’s attributes and character? How should this shape our praise?

3. How does God’s sovereignty impact our day to day living? How should it shape our praise?

4. How does this Psalm point ahead to Jesus?

Psalm 33 calls God’s people to worship God through song. It’s a call to get the band back together. It’s a call to start writing and composing a new song that God’s people will sing with loud and joyful hearts. It begins with David saying,

“[1] Shout for joy in the LORD, O you righteous!

Praise befits the upright.

[2] Give thanks to the LORD with the lyre;

make melody to him with the harp of ten strings!

[3] Sing to him a new song;

play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.”

DOCTRINE SHAPES PRAISE

“It’s time to sing loud,” David is saying. Pick up your harp. Pick up your lyre. It’s time to get the band back together. It’s time to sing a new song to the LORD.

Following this call of preparation, David begins to list many reasons why God’s people should praise God. And each reason David provides is doctrinal. So, what we will start to see in this psalm is the truth that doctrine shapes praise.

There’s a lie creeping into the church that teaches that we can have an emotion-filled relationship with God without concrete truths about God. But that’s the equivalent of me saying, “I want six-pack abs without changing my diet.” It simply can’t happen. Our joy and praise is shaped by what we know about God. When handled rightly, doctrine should lead to happy hearts and loud singing.

SING A NEW SONG

Before we discuss the doctrinal reasons why we should praise God, let me highlight one quick thing. At the start of verse 3, David says, “Sing to him a new song.”

We are a predominantly young church, and with youth comes a willingness to embrace newness. But, with age comes, at times, less of a desire to embrace change. There will come a day for us at Harbor when we face something new and won't want to change. But I want these six words to always ring in our hearts—“Sing to him a new song.” It’s possible to sing a new song filled with old doctrine. It’s possible to embrace new methods while holding onto old truths. New is not always bad. So, as we disciple the next generation, it’s good to encourage the youth to sing new songs rooted in timeless truths about God.

What are some of these timeless truths about God? What are some of the reasons we should praise God? Well, I’ve narrowed these 18 verses into five reasons God is worthy of our praise.

• God deserves our praise because he is good.

• God deserves our praise because he is the creator.

• God deserves our praise because he is sovereign.

• God deserves our praise because he is eternal.

• God deserves our praise because he saves.

GOD DESERVES OUR PRAISE BECAUSE HE IS GOOD.

When considering God, we ask, “What is God like? Or Who is God, and what is his character?”

Well, verses 4-5 answer this question by highlighting five attributes of God: God is upright, faithful, righteous, just, and loving. These five attributes could be summarized as the truth that God is good. Therefore, God is worthy of praise because he is good.

Look at what David says in verses 4-5,

“[4] For the word of the LORD is upright,

and all his work is done in faithfulness.

[5] He loves righteousness and justice;

the earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.”

It’s one thing to know that there is a God; it’s another thing to know this God. Many people believe a creator exists, but not everyone knows this creator. Well, David shines a light deep into the character of God, showing us who God is and what he is like.

Verse 4 begins with the declaration that the word of the LORD is upright, meaning his words are true, right, straight, and correct. You can trust his words to be true. There’s no two-facing with God. If he says something, you can believe it. God’s word is upright. Not only is his word upright, but his work is faithful— “all his work is done in faithfulness.” Like the word “upright,” the word “faithful” implies God is trustful and stable. His actions are steady-handed in trustfulness. His words and his actions will always align. What he says, he will do. What he does is what he says.

His words and works are upright and true because “he loves righteousness and justice.” The word for love here is predominantly used in a relational way to describe the intimate love between a husband and a wife or a parent for a child. So, in the same way that Abraham loved Isaac, God loves righteousness and justice. In the same way Jacob went to extreme measures to be with Rachel, God has gone to extreme lengths to be with righteousness and justice. He will always keep them close because they’re something he delights in.

Righteousness, like uprightness and faithfulness, is the act of living rightly. It’s the state of doing what is right; it’s being seen without sin. There has never been a moment when God has not done what is right. And God doesn’t do what is right begrudgingly; he does it joyfully because he loves righteousness. As we survey the works of God’s hands, we can trust that everything he does is right.

Justice is treating all people fairly, in blessings and curses. There has never been a moment in time when God has acted unjustly. There’s not an ounce of injustice in God because he loves justice. So, as we survey a world full of injustice, we know that there is coming a day when the God who loves righteousness and justice will bang the gavel and exercise judgment upon the wicked who have not embraced Jesus as Lord.

David then says, "The earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.” The Hebrew word for steadfast love is “hesed,” which means loyal love. This is an all-in type of love. “It’s not merely love, but a loyal love; not merely kindness but dependable kindness; Not merely affection, but affection that has committed itself.”

We’ve often talked about God's omnipresent nature, and there is not a square inch of this earth where God is not. If the omnipresent God of the universe is full of loyal love, then we can rightly conclude with the psalmist that the “earth is full of the steadfast love of the LORD.” His faithful love is inescapable.

God is worthy of praise because of his character. His uprightness, faithfulness, righteousness, justice, and love are all good and deserving of praise. Each of these attributes is carefully intertwined; they’re never at odds with one another. His love never clashes with his justice, and his righteousness never clashes with his faithfulness. In the words of Millard Erickson, “God is a unified, integrated being whose personality is harmonious… There should be, then, no tension among any of these attributes… [So] love and justice are not two separate attributes competing with one another… Justice is loving justice and love is love that is just.”

GOD IS WORTHY OF PRAISE BECAUSE HE IS THE CREATOR.

So, God is worthy of praise because he is good. But he’s also worthy of praise because he is the creator. This good God is powerful.

Look at what is said next about God,

“[6] By the word of the LORD the heavens were made,

and by the breath of his mouth all their host.

[7] He gathers the waters of the sea as a heap;

he puts the deeps in storehouses.

[8] Let all the earth fear the LORD;

let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him!

[9] For he spoke, and it came to be;

he commanded, and it stood firm.”

One of the many amazing things about God is that He didn’t form the heavens with a chisel and saw. The divine architect created with words. He spoke, and it came to be. By the word of the LORD, the heavens were made. He said, “Let there be light,” and there was light.

The language in these verses is intentionally used to make us look small compared to God. For example, the language used in verse 7 to describe the waters is powerful. Water is a powerful force that man cannot tame. When the sea gets angry, there’s no stopping it. Yet, God reigns over it.

“Gathering the waters of the sea as a heap” is the same language used in the Exodus narrative. In Exodus, we see that when God’s people were led out of Egypt, the Egyptians pursued after them. When they came to the Red Sea, God parted the sea. It says, “At the blast of his nostrils, the waters piled up; the floods stood up in a heap; the deeps congealed in the heart of the sea.” Something so powerful and great was gathered and stored like grains of wheat by almighty God. He has created a storehouse for the water to sit. Like a trained dog, the seas obey. When God says, “roar,” they roar. When God says, “sit,” they sit. When God says, “Don’t go any further,” they don’t go any further.

Therefore, we stand in fear and awe of Him— “Let all the earth fear the LORD; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him! For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.” Fear and praise are not mutually exclusive. They go hand in hand. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and I would argue it’s the catalyst of praise. No matter how long we walk with God, we should always stand in awe of him. Our praise should always be filled with awe, fear, and wonder.

GOD IS WORTHY OF PRAISE BECAUSE HE IS SOVEREIGN

We praise God because he is good, we praise God because he is the creator, and we praise God because he is sovereign.

Look at what David says next,

“[10] The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing;

he frustrates the plans of the peoples.

[11] The counsel of the LORD stands forever,

the plans of his heart to all generations.

[12] Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD,

the people whom he has chosen as his heritage!”

We just established that God is the creator. If God is the creator, then it only makes logical sense that he is sovereign over his creation. Nothing happens outside of God’s control; he is the supreme ruler over his creation. He is the boss. He sits above all earthly authorities. In Psalm 2, we learn that as the nations plot in vain, God sits and laughs. He brings “the counsel of the nations to nothing,” and “his counsel stands forever.” He “frustrates the plans of the peoples, and his plans will extend throughout all generations.” God’s counsel, his will, and his plans will stand forever.

Now, if God is good—if he is upright, righteous, just, and loving—then he must undoubtedly be sovereignly working all things together for good. We see this demonstrated perfectly on the cross. The greatest evil ever to touch this earth was the instrument God chose to use for our redemption. As Paul puts it in Ephesians 1, “Before the foundation of the world, God chose us in Christ Jesus. In love, he predestined us for adoption.” This means that man’s plans against the LORD were God’s plan for man. What man meant for evil, God meant for God. The cross was not a moment of weakness; it was a moment of power. It was not a moment of despair; it was a moment of hope. The cross did not catch God by surprise; it was a part of God’s loving and predetermined plan of redemption. Man’s intention with the cross was shameful, but God’s intention was beautiful. God’s sovereignty and providence should not be a doctrine we turn our noses up to, nor should we be embarrassed over. It should be a truth that leads to praise! Although we may encounter hardships, God is sovereignly working all things together for our good. But God doesn’t simply turn things for our good; he wills it for our good. As pushups are intended to make us stronger, trials are intended to make us more like Jesus.

GOD IS WORTHY OF PRAISE BECAUSE HE SAVES.

God is worthy of praise because he is good, he is worthy of praise because he is creator, he is worthy of praise because he is sovereign, and he is worthy of praise because he has a plan to save.

Look at verses 13-22,

“[13] The LORD looks down from heaven;

he sees all the children of man;

[14] from where he sits enthroned he looks out

on all the inhabitants of the earth,

[15] he who fashions the hearts of them all

and observes all their deeds.

[16] The king is not saved by his great army;

a warrior is not delivered by his great strength.

[17] The war horse is a false hope for salvation,

and by its great might it cannot rescue.

[18] Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him,

on those who hope in his steadfast love,

[19] that he may deliver their soul from death

and keep them alive in famine.

[20] Our soul waits for the LORD;

he is our help and our shield.

[21] For our heart is glad in him,

because we trust in his holy name.

[22] Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us,

even as we hope in you.”

God sovereignly looks down from heaven, having a bird' s-eye view of all creation. He is omniscient, meaning he sees and knows all things. The one who fashions man's heart observes every action. Not a soul on this planet goes unnoticed by God. During this time, the peak of humanity, the highest social ladder you could climb, was to be a king. As a king, you could obtain whatever you wanted at the snap of a finger. You would have an army that obeys your every command and a war horse that would follow your lead. But Psalm 33 sets even the king under the sovereign lordship of God. The king is not saved by his great army, nor is a warrior delivered by his great strength. The war horse is a false hope for security and salvation.

If the [K]ing possesses all power and sits on his throne, then the [k]ings of this earth have no power outside of God's allowance. A warrior's strength pales compared to his creator's strength. God is sovereign; man is not. God is powerful; man is weak. God is infinite; man is finite. So, who can stand against the LORD?

The beauty of the gospel is that this sovereign God has made a way for us to be saved. In love, God sent his Son to the cross. And it’s on the cross that God’s justice, love, righteousness, and truthfulness collide. Our sin has brought forth judgment. God is just, and his wrath is coming. But, the just judge who loves righteousness has made a way for us to be saved. God, in love, sent His Son, Jesus, to live the life we couldn’t live and die the death we should have died, and he rose from the grave, defeating sin and death. In doing so, he has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son (Col 1:13). He has delivered us from the wrath to come (1 Thess 1:10).

If God has delivered us from the present evil age, we can trust him to care for us in all seasons, working all things together for our good. If we trust God with our salvation, we can trust God with our daily bread. If we trust God regarding the security of our lives to come, we can trust God with our lives now. The same God who has delivered us from the wrath to come will also deliver us from famine now. He will meet our every need.

God is worthy of our trust and praise today. Those who praise God are those who trust God, and those who trust God are those who praise God. So, where does your trust reside today? A lot of fool’s gold is out there that promises something it cannot deliver. So, are you hoping in chariots today? Or are you hoping in God? Are you trusting in your strength today? Or are you hoping in God?

God is worthy of your trust, and he is worthy of your praise.

Psalm 8

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. This Psalm begins with the statement, “O LORD, our Lord.” How is submission to God’s Lordship essential to our praise?

2. How does this psalm speak to worship being a corporate activity? Do you, at times, find it difficult to praise corporately? If so, why?

3. Spend a few moments discussing verse 2. How does this verse speak to God’s power?

4. When we observe all of God‘s creation, we walk away feeling very small and insignificant. How does this psalm affirm our “smallness” but push back against our “insignificance?” How does this impact the way we worship?

5. How does Psalm 8 direct our attention to Jesus?

SERMON MANUSCRIPT

Could it be that we worship best when we feel the smallest? Could it be that when we see God for who he truly is, we will begin to truly worship? Could it be that a right view of God leads to right worship? Could it be that a proper view of God leads to proper praise? Could it be that our unwillingness to engage in worship, at times, stems from a faulty view of God? Could it be that, at times, our silence is a byproduct of a limited view of God?

Today, in Psalm 8, David takes us outside to gaze upon God’s creation so that we can see God for who he is and praise him for what he has done. If I could summarize the takeaway for today, it would be this: God deserves my praise!

Let’s dive in.

“To the choirmaster: according to The Gittith. A Psalm of David.

[1] O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory above the heavens.

[2] Out of the mouth of babies and infants,

you have established strength because of your foes,

to still the enemy and the avenger.

[3] When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers,

the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

[4] what is man that you are mindful of him,

and the son of man that you care for him?

[5] Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings

and crowned him with glory and honor.

[6] You have given him dominion over the works of your hands;

you have put all things under his feet,

[7] all sheep and oxen,

and also the beasts of the field,

[8] the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea,

whatever passes along the paths of the seas.

[9] O LORD, our Lord,

how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

As we’ve highlighted over the past few weeks, this psalm begins with a brief introductory statement. “To the choirmaster” reminds us that this psalm was intended to be sung by God’s people, and “according to gittith” is likely an instruction on how it should be sung.

In verse 1, the psalm begins with the declaration, “O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” This opening statement contains something we don’t see in our English language. David uses two different names to describe God here. In the Hebrew, it reads, “O Yahweh, our adoni.”

Yahweh is God’s personal and formal name. When God met Moses at the burning bush and called him to return to Egypt to set His people free, Moses asked God who he should say that sent him. God says, “I AM WHO I AM. Say this to the people of Israel: ‘The LORD (YHWH), the God of your fathers, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, has sent me to you.’”

So, the LORD is a term of greatness and holiness, but also a term of closeness and belonging.

“Adoni” is a term that conveys authority. YHWH, my Lord. YHWH, the one I belong to. YHWH, the one I submit to. YHWH, the one I trust. YHWH, the one I worship. David is saying the Sovereign, great, and personal God of the universe is the one who possesses authority over his life.

This tells us that submission to God's authority is a central element of the Christian faith. Authority is good, and it belongs to God. You do not possess ultimate authority over your life; God does. As followers of Jesus, we say, “My life belongs to you, and I want to honor you. You are the boss of my life.”

Notice the corporate language here— “O LORD, our Lord.” We submit to God together. The church is a people who confess God’s authority over our lives together. God is our Lord, and we openly confess our desire to submit to his will in every aspect of our lives.

A corporate acknowledgment of God’s lordship should always lead to corporate praise—“O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” This demonstrates to us that submission and praise go hand in hand. Those who submit to Jesus praise Jesus, and those who praise Jesus submit to Jesus. Worship extends far beyond singing. Submission is essential to praise. Authentic praise on Sunday should drift alongside a heart that seeks to obey the LORD on Thursday.

Verse 1 teaches us that while praise can be given privately, it is best enjoyed publicly with other believers. We were created to praise God with God’s people—“O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!” One of the many beauties of the Christian faith is how I/me turns into we/our. A vital element of the Christian faith is praising God with other believers.

David leads the congregation in singing, “How majestic is your name in all the earth!” The Hebrew word for majestic here is ʾaddir, which describes something or someone who possesses great power. It’s used elsewhere in the Old Testament to describe a “mighty” ship (Isa. 33:21), “leader” (Jer. 30:21), or “nobles” (Judg. 5:13). This declaration sets up the theme of this song, which is that God is far greater than anything we could ever imagine. The name of God is impressive, grand, intimidating, and powerful, and it’s on full display for all to see on this earth! There is no place on this earth where God’s name is not demonstrated as mighty. He’s worthy of praise on every square inch of this planet. From the slums of Argentina to the depths of the Atlantic to the tip of Antarctica, God’s name is majestic and grand! His name is glorious from the mountaintops to the valleys, and “his glory is set above the heavens.” So, as you gaze out into the night sky, counting the stars and observing the moon, God’s glory extends far beyond the dark depths of the heavens.

David then leads the congregation to sing, “Out of the mouth of babies and infants, you have established strength because of your foes, to still the enemy and the avenger.” The language here is a tad bit strange. But, I think David is highlighting God’s ability to ”use weak things in the world to shame the strong.” God is so majestic and strong that he doesn’t depend upon man's strength. God is so strong that he can use the words of babies to still his greatest enemies.

In 1 Corinthians 1:27-31, Paul (in speaking about the cross) says, “But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who became wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.”

Listen. God needs nothing. He doesn’t need your money. He doesn’t need your strength. He doesn’t need your popularity. In fact, he’s chosen to use the opposite. He’s chosen to use what is foolish in the world to shame the wise. He’s chosen to use the weak to shame the strong. “The word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved, it is the power of God. The foolishness of God is wiser than the wisdom of men, and the weakness of God is stronger than the strength of men. God’s power can be made perfect in our weakness. God is in the business of using the words of babies to still the enemy. And if God can use the words of babies to still his enemies, he can use you to advance his kingdom today.

David then takes us outside to sing, “[3] When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, [4] what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?”

Given the reference to the moon and stars, we can conclude that “heavens” here refers to the sky (the galaxy, if you will). David is looking out into the night sky and standing in awe of how small he is.

Nothing puts you into a proper perspective like the vastness of the universe. We live on a giant ball (EARTH) that spins around a massive ball of fire (SUN) that is 10,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The giant ball we live on is close enough to this ball of fire that we don’t freeze. But it’s also far enough away that we don’t burn up. And there’s also a giant, but smaller, ball (MOON) that spins around the giant ball we live on. This ball helps stabilize our ball and causes tides, which move water around, helping distribute nutrients.

The big ball of fire we rotate around is one of our galaxy's 100-400 billion stars. And our galaxy is just one of two trillion galaxies in the universe. There are more stars in the sky than grains of sand on Earth. The number of stars in our universe is so vast that if you took a penny for every star and stacked it on each other, your stack of pennies would extend to the moon, 238,900 miles away.

In poetic fashion, David attributes all of this to the work of God’s fingers. The universe is something He can hold. It’s something He set in place.

When you begin to think about how grand and complex the galaxy is, you start to feel overtly small, leading you to ask, “What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?”

The Hebrew word for man here intentionally draws a stark contrast between God and man. It’s a term sometimes used to highlight man’s smallness, which sets up a great chasm between God and man. Yet, despite this great chasm, God is still mindful of us. Mindful means he remembers and cares for us. He doesn’t forget us.

Have you ever been rummaging through your closet and come across an old shirt or jacket and thought, “Oh, I forgot I had that!” Those words are never on God’s lips regarding you and me. God is mindful of us. As Gerald Wilson puts it, “In the world of human kings, a peasant subject might languish unknown and uncared for in the furthest reaches of the empire, but Yahweh remains mindful of all whom he has made for a purpose.”

But God’s not just mindful of us; he cares for us— “What is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him?” Care assumes watchfulness and proximity; it’s shepherding language. As a shepherd cares for his flock, God cares for his people. He makes us lie down in green pastures. He leads us by still waters. He leads us in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, we will fear no evil, for God is with us. His rod and his staff comfort us. God cares for us.

David then leads us to sing, “Yet you have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor.”

What are the heavenly beings being referred to here? I tend to side with the apparent interpretation of the book of Hebrews in the New Testament.

The author of Hebrews says,

“[5] For it was not to angels that God subjected the world to come, of which we are speaking. [6] It has been testified somewhere,

“What is man, that you are mindful of him,

or the son of man, that you care for him?

[7] You made him for a little while lower than the angels;

you have crowned him with glory and honor,

[8] putting everything in subjection under his feet.”

Now in putting everything in subjection to him, he left nothing outside his control. At present, we do not yet see everything in subjection to him.”

So, I believe David is standing in awe that God isn’t just mindful of us. He doesn’t just care for us. He has given us the highest possible honor by making us a little lower than the heavenly beings, angels. The God who has created all things has created you for a specific purpose. He has crowned you with glory and honor. He has given us dominion over the works of his hands. We have a responsibility to steward and oversee his creation, as he has put all things under the feet of man, “all sheep and oxen, and also the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the fish of the sea, whatever passes along the paths of the seas.” The almighty God knows you, cares for you, and has a purpose for you. You are not a faint thought to God. You are not a meaningless being. You are made in the image of God and commissioned by God with a purpose.

As we land the plane today, I want to direct our attention to the hope of the gospel. In a very real sense, all of Psalms points ahead to Jesus. So, as we look to Jesus, we see that there was a baby born from the Virgin Mary who silenced sin, death, and Satan, the ultimate enemy and avenger. This baby lived the life we could not live. And he marched willingly to the cross to die the death we should have died. And on the third day, he rose from the dead. And he is now seated at the Father's right hand in the heavenly places (Eph 2:10).

The majestic LORD became flesh and dwelt among men. The sovereign God was made a little lower than the heavenly beings, and he was crowned with glory and honor. We have seen his glory, and it is full of grace and truth. All things were put under the foot of the Son of Man, Jesus, and he possesses authority over every living being(1 Cor. ). And, now, God’s power is being made perfect through our weakness as we fully rely upon the Holy Spirit. The majestic God of Psalm 8 has become flesh and lived among us. He died the death we should have died, and he rose from the grave. Jesus is worthy of our praise— “O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!”

Psalm 57

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. The context of this Psalm is that David is hiding in a cave while fleeing from Saul. Why is that important information to know as you study this Psalm?

2. David demonstrates an extreme amount of confidence in the LORD in verses 2-3. Why is he so confident? What are some promises given to us in the Bible that we can stand confidently on?

3. In verses 4-6, verse 5 seems out of place. This teaches us the truth that it’s possible to praise God even in the midst of hardships. Do you find this to be true of your life? Do you long for God to be exalted even in the midst of despair?

4. This Psalm starts with a plead and ends with praise. How should David’s praise at the end of this Psalm shape our praise today?

TEXT:

To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.

[1] Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,

for in you my soul takes refuge;

in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,

till the storms of destruction pass by.

[2] I cry out to God Most High,

to God who fulfills his purpose for me.

[3] He will send from heaven and save me;

he will put to shame him who tramples on me. Selah

God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!

[4] My soul is in the midst of lions;

I lie down amid fiery beasts—

the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows,

whose tongues are sharp swords.

[5] Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!

Let your glory be over all the earth!

[6] They set a net for my steps;

my soul was bowed down.

They dug a pit in my way,

but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah

[7] My heart is steadfast, O God,

my heart is steadfast!

I will sing and make melody!

[8] Awake, my glory!

Awake, O harp and lyre!

I will awake the dawn!

[9] I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples;

I will sing praises to you among the nations.

[10] For your steadfast love is great to the heavens,

your faithfulness to the clouds.

[11] Be exalted, O God, above the heavens!

Let your glory be over all the earth!

SERMON MANUSCRIPT

“To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy. A Miktam of David, when he fled from Saul, in the cave.”

The phrase, ‘To the choirmaster: according to Do Not Destroy’ is interesting. You’ll find this phrase in Psalms 57-59. No one knows exactly what this phrase means here. But, it appears to signify the tune or melody in which this psalm was to be sung.

Similarly, no one is sure what a ‘miktam’ is either. But, it’s a term attributed to six of David’s psalms, Psalm 16 and Psalms 56-60. It could simply be a technical term that guides the singers, similar to the phrase “Do Not Destroy.” We don’t know. However, due to its closeness to the word ‘katham,’ which means “an engraving,” some believe this could be a term that highlights its long-term value. It’s a psalm worthy of being stamped and engraved upon tablets for long-term preservation. This Psalm has gone platinum, if you will.

We don’t know for sure what those two terms and phrases mean. But we do know the historical context of this Psalm. David penned this Psalm while he was in a cave fleeing from Saul. So, let’s do a quick little history lesson before we dive into this psalm.

HISTORICAL CONTEXT

Israel, looking at their neighboring countries, wanted a king. They had rejected the Lord as their king and wanted their own. The LORD, being the merciful God he is, granted their request, anointing and appointing Saul as their king.

Things went well for a short time. Through Saul, the LORD defeated their enemies. But then, we see Saul disobey the LORD by making an unlawful sacrifice, taking matters into his own hands.

Samuel says to Saul, “You have done foolishly. You have not kept the command of the LORD your God, with which he commanded you. For then,the LORD would have established your kingdom over Israel forever. But now, your kingdom shall not continue. The LORD has sought out a man after his own heart, and the LORD has commanded him to be prince over his people because you have not kept what the LORD commanded you.”

So, if Saul had obeyed God, his kingdom would have extended forever. But, because he disobeyed God, his kingdom would end. God shut the door on Saul’s kingship and opened the door for another king in the future. God would establish the kingdom of another forever.

Fast-forward some more time, and Saul, still functioning as king, was commanded by the LORD to strike down Amalek and devote everything to destruction, not sparing any of them. Saul went and took over the land but spared the best of the sheep and oxen. This angers the LORD, leading to him saying through Samuel, “Why did you not obey the voice of the LORD?… The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you this day and has given it to a neighbor of yours, who is better than you.”

Following this, we see the LORD send Samuel to anoint a new king from the line of Jesse the Bethlehemite. The LORD then anoints David, the youngest son, who was out attending to the sheep. He was young, ruddy, and handsome. It says, "The Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward.”

Not long after this, the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and he became tormented by a harmful spirit. In response, one of Saul’s servants recommended that someone play the lyre to help soothe him whenever the spirit tormented him. David was the one recommended. He came to Saul, played for him, and found favor in Saul's sight. Whenever a harmful spirit from God visited Saul, David took the lyre and played it with his hand, and Saul was soothed. Saul loved David, allowing him to become his armor-bearer.

Fast-forward some more time, and the Philistines gathered their armies for battle. They had a champion named Goliath, who was about 9ft tall. Goliath challenged Saul to find someone to come down and battle him. If Saul’s warrior won, the Philistines would be their servants. If Goliath won, they would become the Philistine's servants.

This caused Saul and all of Israel to become greatly afraid. David, however, was not scared. He said to Saul, “Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God. The LORD who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

David defeats Goliath with a stone and a slingshot, leading him to take Goliath's sword and chop off his head, causing the Philistines to flee in fear. This was a pinnacle moment in Israel’s history. God’s people celebrated and rejoiced.

Saul kept David with him, and they returned to Saul’s home. As they were journeying home, the women of the cities would come out and celebrate, singing, “Saul has struck down his thousands, and David his ten thousands.”

This angered Saul, and he became jealous of David. From that day forth, Saul kept his eye on David, and from chapters 18 through (essentially) the rest of 1 Samuel, we find story after story of Saul seeking to kill David. In this pursuit to kill David, you see David hiding in a cave multiple times (1 Sam. 22, 24). In both instances, you find David escapes from Saul's hand.

In chapter 24, for example, you find Saul chasing after David. And, as he’s going after David, he unknowingly goes into the very cave David is in to go to the bathroom. This presents David with an opportunity to kill Saul. As all of David’s men seek to persuade David to kill Saul, David sneakily cuts off Saul’s robe. But, then he’s convicted and says, “The LORD forbid me that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD’s anointed.”

Saul finishes his business and leaves the cave. David follows and yells out (paraphrase), “Hey, Saul! I could have killed you. But I didn’t. I’m here for your good. I won’t kill you. So, why are you trying to kill me?”

Saul cries, saying, “You are more righteous than I, for you have repaid me good, whereas I have repaid you evil.”

Saul then goes home, and David goes up to his stronghold.

WALKING WITH JESUS INTO TRIALS

This is the context of Psalm 57. David is being pursued not because of his sin but because of his righteousness. Saul is seeking to kill David because God’s hand is on David.

Why do I share that?

I share that because it teaches us that sometimes we will experience hardships, not because of our sins but our righteousness. Sometimes, we will be pursued by the wicked strictly because of our allegiance to Jesus. Not all lamenting is caused by our shortcomings.

We see this demonstrated in no one better than Jesus. Saul's jealous spirit foreshadows the religious leaders' spirit during Jesus’ time. Like David, Jesus was pursued and crucified, not because of his guilt but because of his blamelessness. In the words of 2 Timothy 3:12, “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” If the word hated Jesus, it will hate you.

So, we cannot always let our external circumstances gauge our Christian faithfulness. Some trials can be acts of judgment against our sins or direct results of our sins. But not every storm is an act of judgment against us. Some trials can simply be a sanctifying attack against God’s holy people, the rain God uses to water the grass of our souls, making us more like Jesus.

So, let this be water to our souls today. Righteousness is not always celebrated, nor is it always rewarded, by the world. Sometimes, it’s hated and attacked.

But the beauty of this psalm is that even when we’re hated for our allegiance to Jesus, God is still with us. You may walk in step with the Holy Spirit and walk right into a storm. God rides with us into the storm; he is our shelter in the rain. We are not alone.

WE ARE SAFE WITH GOD

Let’s dive in.

“[1] Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me,

for in you my soul takes refuge;

in the shadow of your wings I will take refuge,

till the storms of destruction pass by.”

This Psalm begins with a cry for mercy. As David is surrounded by those seeking to kill him, he cries out to God for mercy. Mercy is an act of compassion. The heart of a Christian understands that they never outgrow their need for mercy. Mercy is what we need when we’re guilty, and mercy is what we need when we’re blameless. Mercy is what we need when the sun is shining, and mercy is what we need when the rain falls. We need mercy in the morning, and we need mercy in the evening. We never outgrow our need for God’s mercy. David asks God to act compassionately as his soul takes refuge in him.

Now, the imagery here is beautiful.

In the midst of a great storm, a tiny chick is helpless. But nestled under its mother's wing, it finds safety. In the same way, David’s soul finds refuge under the LORD’s wing in the storm of destruction. We are safest with God. In moments when we feel like we’re surrounded by despair or hated for our allegiance to Jesus, there is always great hope in the LORD. In moments when we’re tempted to believe that disobedience to God might provide safety and blessings that obedience cannot, we must remember that we are safest with God. All who find refuge in the LORD are blessed.

The New Testament consistently talks about how Christians are “in Christ.” Those who have trusted in Jesus are now “in Christ,” and those who are in Christ are safe. Your soul is safe in Jesus. You are covered by his wings, and your salvation is secure.

GOD’S PURPOSE IN ME

David then says, “I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.” The God David is crying out to is the God who fulfills his purpose for David. David is fully dependent upon God. He trusts God for his present deliverance and future blessing, knowing that God fulfills his purpose for him. The term “fulfill” is a term of completion and finality. David’s words here assume God will bring to completion his purpose for his life.

So, what was God’s purpose for David?

Well, in a general sense, God created David (like he’s created us) for His glory. What is the chief end of man? To glorify God and to enjoy him forever! God made David for the purpose of glorifying God throughout his life, and God has created you for you to bring him glory in your day-to-day life!

But, in a much more specific case, God had created, called, and anointed David for the purpose of him being the king of Israel! I believe this is what David is alluding to here. God has chosen and anointed David to be king of Israel. Yet, at this moment, David finds himself in a cave, running from the king of Israel. He’s waiting to become king as he’s fleeing from the king. And as he’s running, he’s remembering God’s promise. He trusts that God will be faithful in completing the work he began in him.

Church, we, too, find ourselves in a similar place today. Like David, God has given us promises that are not yet fulfilled in Christ. We look ahead to a day when we will be with God forever in perfect harmony. And, as we do so, we cling to the fact that God will complete the good work he began in us. We are saved by grace through faith, and we are being saved by grace through faith, and we will be saved by grace through faith. The most high God is the one who fulfills his purpose for our lives.

CONFIDENCE IN GOD

In remembering God’s promises, David then says, “He will send from heaven and save me; he will put to shame him who tramples on me. (Selah) God will send out his steadfast love and his faithfulness!”

Notice the language of assurance. David wasn’t questioning God’s ability to save, nor was he questioning his willingness to save. God will send help. God will save. God will put to shame his enemies. God will send out his steadfast love. God will send out his faithfulness. David was confident the LORD would do a work he, himself, couldn’t do, and he was confident the LORD would do the work he had promised to do. God cannot lie. It’s out of the realm of possibilities for him. So, it’s not cocky and foolish to stand confidently on the promises of God. It is wise and reasonable to stand upon the promises of God. God will be faithful to do what he says he will do.

Now, here’s what’s beautiful about David’s words here. On more than one occasion, David had opportunities to defeat Saul with his own sword. But, each time, he refrained. In the cave, he said, “The LORD forbid that I should do this thing to my lord, the LORD’s anointed, to put out my hand against him, seeing he is the LORD’s anointed.” Later, as Saul seeks to destroy David again, David finds Saul’s camp and is presented with another opportunity to kill Saul while he sleeps. Yet, David says, “Do not destroy him, for who can put out his hand against the LORD’s anointed and be guiltless? As the LORD lives, the LORD will strike him, or his day will come to die, or he will go down into battle and perish. The LORD forbid that I should put out my hand against the LORD’s anointed.”

David’s life aligned with his song. He practiced what he preached, lived what he sang, and fully relied upon the LORD to fight his battle. When persecution arises, we don’t have to take matters into our own hands. When we are hurt because of our allegiance to Jesus, we don’t have to repay evil for evil. When we are wronged, we don’t have to avenge ourselves. Instead, we bless those who persecute us. When the enemy surrounds us, we can trust that God will fight our battles. With total dependence upon God, we can seek to do what’s right, even when it’s difficult.

PRAISE IN THE STORM

David then says, “My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down amid fiery beasts— the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth! They set a net for my steps; my soul was bowed down. They dug a pit in my way, but they have fallen into it themselves.”

Notice the contrast in language here in verse 5. Wedged in the middle of David describing the dangerous attacks of the enemy, he praises God.

Friends, you’re invited to worship in the storm. It’s possible to praise in despair, and you’re allowed to praise in the face of persecution. The unique heart posture of the Christian is a willingness to praise in the midst of calamity. We can praise in the midst of the storm because we know that God is with us. We can exalt God because we know nothing can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Is this true of you today? Are you eager to exalt God even when your soul is in the pit? Are you eager to lift him up while your soul is bowed down?

PLEADS THAT LEAD TO PRAISE

David then says, “My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody! Awake, my glory! Awake, O harp and lyre! I will awake the dawn! I will give thanks to you, O Lord, among the peoples; I will sing praises to you among the nations. For your steadfast love is great to the heavens, your faithfulness to the clouds. Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!”

In the cave, David’s heart is filled with praise. When he starts pleading for mercy, he concludes by shouting God’s praise! Something awoke within him! This is the economics of prayer: when we go to the LORD asking, we often leave praising. As we fix our eyes upon the cross, we are reminded of God’s steadfast love and faithfulness. Therefore, we cry out, “Be exalted, O God, above the heavens! Let your glory be over all the earth!”

Psalm 51

Our Psalm today will teach us that it’s better to limp in the light than to run in the darkness.

The Bible tells us we’ve all “sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.” Not a soul in this building today is exempt from this reality. When our sin is confronted, we have two options for response: we can stiffen our necks in prideful rejection or bow our heads in humble confession.

So, when you are confronted with your sin, how do you respond? Do you point your fingers at others, seeking to justify your actions? Or do you admit to your actions, responding in humble confession?

Today, we will look at David’s response to his sin. In doing so, we will discover God’s loving and compassionate offer of grace toward the sinner.

Friends, if your heart is heavy with the weight of your sin today, I’m here to tell you that someone has already carried that sin to the cross for you. That someone is your creator, and his name is Jesus. Jesus willingly marched to the cross with the weight of judgment for your sin upon his shoulders so that you could walk through life and march into eternity with the weight of no condemnation upon your shoulders. Cry out to the LORD, and you will be saved.

Let’s dive in.

CONTEXT

“To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone into Bathsheba.”

Similar to last week, we find context given at the start of this psalm to help us better understand the psalm. So, let’s hash this out for a moment.

In 2 Samuel 11, you will discover that David fell headfirst into sin—a bad sin. David stayed back in Jerusalem when he should have been out to battle. Late one afternoon, he gets up from his couch and notices a beautiful woman bathing on her rooftop. It was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah. David sent messengers to her and took her, and she came to him, and he laid with her. She conceived and was pregnant.

This deeply bothered David. Since her husband, Uriah, was off at battle, David knew that people would have questions. So, David, doing what many of us would do, sought to cover up his sin. He called Uriah off the battlefield and sent him home, hoping he would be with his wife. But Uriah refused. Therefore, David sent Uriah back to the battlefield with the command, “Set Uriah in the forefront of the hardest fighting, and then draw back from him, that he may be struck down, and die.” Uriah died, and after Bathsheba mourned his death of him, David brought her to his house to become his wife.

This angered the LORD. So, God, through Nathan, rebukes David. He tells the story of two men, one rich and the other poor. The poor man had nothing but one little lamb that he loved dearly; the rich man had many lambs. When a traveler came to the rich man, he was unwilling to take one of his own lambs. Instead, he prepared the poor man’s lamb for his visitor.

This infuriated David, and he said, As the LORD lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, and he shall restore the lamb fourfold because he did this thing and because he had no pity.”

Nathan said, “You are this man!”

This led the LORD to say, “Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house. And I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun.”

So, because of David’s sin, evil will come against David from his own household.

I think Nathan’s example here could shed some light on the art of confronting sin.

• Nathan was willing and obedient.

• Nathan went privately.

• Nathan was prepared and direct.

This is the context of what David is lamenting in Psalm 51. So, let’s begin unpacking the words of David’s lament.

STEADFAST LOVE & ABUNDANT MERCY

“[1] Have mercy on me, O God,

according to your steadfast love;

according to your abundant mercy

blot out my transgressions.

[2] Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

and cleanse me from my sin!”

This Psalm begins with a plea for mercy. Staring face first into the mirror of guilt and shame, David asks God to act according to his “steadfast love” and “abundant mercy.”

The phrase “steadfast love” implies faithful and loyal love—a type of love that is not easily broken or abandoned. The word “abundant mercy” implies plentiful compassion—the feeling a father feels whenever his children get hurt. So, God is committed and compassionate; he’s slow to run away. His love and mercy do not lack.

David appeals to God that he will treat him according to his steadfast love and abundant mercy. David’s actions here should serve as an example of how we should act in the face of our sins. We, like David, are invited to run to God’s steadfast love and abundant mercy. At our lowest moments, God’s love and mercy are our only hope.

Is your heart stained with the guilt and shame of your sin today? Well, I’m here to remind you that God is not cheap in the department of love and mercy. His mercy is abundant, and his love is steadfast. The bank account of God’s love and compassion will never become low. His checks will never bounce. God’s steadfast love and mercy have always been how he blots out our transgressions. So, don’t be afraid to run to him today. He’s willing and able to act compassionately toward you in your sin. He will thoroughly clean today, cleansing you entirely from your sins.

At David’s lowest moment, he cries for God to act compassionately toward him, leading to him then saying,

“[3] For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is ever before me.

[4] Against you, you only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in your sight,

so that you may be justified in your words

and blameless in your judgment.”

ACKNOWLEDGE YOUR SIN

For repentance to occur, we must acknowledge our sins. So, the first thing I want to highlight here is David's acknowledgment of his sin: “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.”

Some of us feel these words in our bones. We, like David, are all too familiar with our transgressions. We’ve hurt so many people that it doesn’t matter where we go; it feels like our sin follows us. Every second of every day, we feel the crushing weight of condemnation because of our sin. To you, there’s hope today!

I fear others don’t feel these words in our bones. We quickly skip over them when we should let them simmer deep into our hearts. Some of us are walking in sin with no seared conscience whatsoever. Our hearts are harder than stone. There’s always an excuse for our actions. We can talk our way out of everything and are never at fault.

I extend a warning to you. Living with a seared conscience is dangerous, especially when your heart becomes numb to sin. So, my prayer for you is that the LORD will break the bones of your spirit today, draw you to your knees, and lead you to complete surrender and dependence upon the LORD.

SIN IS FIRST AN OFFENSE AGAINST GOD

Notice God’s omnipresence here. David says, “I have done what is evil in your sight.” The sin of David performed in private was public before God. Everything we do in private is public before God. God is present everywhere, and he sees all things. You cannot hide from him. There is no secret work in the kingdom of God.

The Bible doesn’t allow us to have a small view of God. He is all-seeing, all-knowing, and all-powerful. When we develop a right view of God, we also begin to develop a right view of our sin. You cannot trick God; he knows the truth. You cannot manipulate God; he is the creator and sustainer of all things. The all-seeing God of the universe is the one who sets the standard of morality. He is the one who gets to determine what is right and wrong. Therefore, all sin is first an offense against God.

Now, there are obviously horizontal elements to our sin. To say your sinful decisions do not affect those around you would be absolutely foolish. David’s sin affected so many people. They affected Bathsheba, Uriah, his children, and many more. But, all sin is first an offense against God— “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight…”

I would argue that understanding this is a sign of true repentance! When we realize that our sin is a direct offense against our creator, we begin to truly experience righteous remorse for our sin, which leads to confession and repentance.

So, do you understand that your sin is, first and foremost, an offense against God? Can you join David in saying, “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight?”

WE ARE SINNERS WHO NEED CLEANSING

David goes on to confess,

“[5] Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,

and in sin did my mother conceive me.

[6] Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,

and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.”

Here, I believe David is confessing that sin is at the core of who he is. No one had to teach David how to sin; it always came naturally to him. David’s guilt before the LORD started long before he called Bathsheba to his quarters. He was born into iniquity. Sin is a part of the fabric of his being. We aren’t sinners because we sin; we sin because we’re sinners. This is essential for us to see and understand today. You, like David, have sin woven deep into the fabric of your being. And because of this, behavior modification won't suffice. You don’t simply need to break a bad habit. You need to become a new person. You need to become born again. You need a new heart. You need new desires. You need a transformation where you begin to “delight in truth in your inward being.” And this is what David cries out for!

“[7] Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;

wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

[8] Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones that you have broken rejoice.

[9] Hide your face from my sins,

and blot out all my iniquities.

[10] Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and renew a right spirit within me.

[11] Cast me not away from your presence,

and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

[12] Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

and uphold me with a willing spirit.”

Far too often, I’ve had conversations with someone whose sin has come to light, and their whole demeanor is saturated with an assurance that they will get this right, get everything under control, and beat the sin in their life. But I want to draw our attention to how a vital element of the Christian faith is coming to God empty-handed. There’s nothing you can contribute to the cleansing of your sins. Only God can cleanse us from our sins. David doesn’t come to God, assuring him he will get things right. Instead, he comes to God, acknowledging that he can do nothing to fix his situation. He comes to God empty-handed and entirely reliant upon the mercy of God. Trying to right your wrongs through your efforts is like trying to bathe yourself with muddy water. Instead of experiencing cleansing, we experience more filth. The cleansing we need is only found when we humble ourselves before the LORD and cry for help. Cleansing comes from the LORD alone; only by his mercy can we become as white as snow.

CONVICTION IS A GIFT FROM GOD

Conviction hurts. It’s painful. It’s the spiritual equivalent of breaking your bones. But, on the other side of the pain of conviction is healing and joy. The LORD broke David's bones so that he might humbly return to the LORD. So, don’t fight conviction. Embrace it as the gift it is. Allow it to push you close to the LORD so that you can cry out to him. God breaks us to heal us. Conviction is a grace from the LORD because it’s intended to draw you to Jesus.

GRACE LEADS TO HAPPINESS

When you’re met with God's cleansing grace, joy is found. Grace leads to happiness. Those whose sin has been exposed and are met with grace cannot help but experience joy. Joy is the overflow of grace. When God “hides his face from our sins and blots out our iniquities,” our hearts become glad. When God creates in us a “clean heart and renews a right spirit within us,” our hearts become joyful. When God “draws near to us” instead of pulling away from us, the joy of our salvation is restored, and our bones rejoice! Church, the closer we walk with God in grace and holiness, the happier our hearts become. Holiness breeds happiness.

Over the years, I’ve heard people pit holiness against happiness, as if God wants us to be holy and not happy. But I would argue that we are most happy when we are most holy. Sin robs us of joy, but grace and holiness lead to more joy. The fruit of walking with God should be a happy heart. Grace leads to happiness.

GRACE LEADS TO PROCLAMATION.

“[13] Then I will teach transgressors your ways,

and sinners will return to you.

[14] Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,

O God of my salvation,

and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.

[15] O Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth will declare your praise.”

Church, let me be very, very clear. Grace leads to proclamation. It leads to teaching, shouting, and declaring. If you’ve experienced God's love, grace, and mercy, you cannot help but tell others about the gracious God you’ve encountered! You cannot help but sing aloud of his righteousness and declare his praise.

Some of the best teachers in the church are those who have experienced the most grace. Some of the best preachers in the church are those who have experienced the most grace. Some of the best evangelists in the church are those who have been met with the most grace. Some of the best disciplers in the church are those who have experienced the most grace. Grace leads to proclamation. The cross is transformational. We become like the woman at the well, running back to our hometown shouting, “Come and see a man who told me all I ever did. Could this be the Christ?”

So, could a lack of discipleship, evangelism, or singing stem from a prideful heart that has forgotten God's gracious ways? Could it be that the farther we drift from God’s grace, the quieter we become?

David ends this psalm by saying,

“[16] For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;

you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.

[17] The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

[18] Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;

build up the walls of Jerusalem;

[19] then will you delight in right sacrifices,

in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;

then bulls will be offered on your altar.”

David here wasn’t diminishing the significance of a rightful sacrifice; Instead, he’s highlighting the importance of a broken heart before God. God doesn’t delight in you rolling up your sleeves and trying harder. He opposes the proud and gives grace to the humble. He will not despise a broken and contrite heart.

So, as we close today, I want to direct our attention to Jesus, the perfect sacrifice for our sins. The merciful and loving God has made a way for you to be saved by sending his Son to the cross. Two thousand years ago, there was a lamb offered on the altar of God capable of atoning all of our sins. On the night that Jesus was betrayed, Jesus took the bread, and when he gave thanks, he broke it and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” And in the same way, he took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.”

Jesus is the perfect sacrifice that the Father is pleased with. So, all who humble themselves before the LORD, fixing their eyes upon the Son of Man, will be saved. So, as the church, we bow in reverence, respect, and awe of Christ, giving him the glory he deserves. May we thank God that he was betrayed, abandoned, and crucified so that we might have life through him. May we take a moment to reflect on the grace of God, and may we spend some time asking the Holy Spirit to convict us of sin today.

Psalm 3

Psalm 3 is what we would call a lamenting psalm. Lamenting is a passionate expression of grief, sadness, and pain.

Scholars estimate that two-thirds of the psalms are psalms of lament, which teaches us that a large portion of the Christian life will likely be filled with grief and pain. Life will not be easy; hardships will come. Yet, so often, when we encounter grief, we think we’re alone and that no one else understands what we’re feeling.

The Psalms, however, teach us that we’re not alone in our pain; we’re not the only ones in life who are stricken with grief. The heroes of our faith walked through trials, just like us. They were hurt, just like us. They wept, just like us.

Yet, these Psalms also teach us the beautiful truth that God, who is bigger than our hardships, draws near to the brokenhearted and is there for the lowly. God is bigger than all our hardships, and he freely offers us salvation through Jesus.

Perhaps you’re hurting today. Maybe your heart is filled with grief and pain. Well, the songs of lament that we’re preparing to study will teach us how to trudge through the muddy waters of grief with our eyes fixed on Jesus.

If you look at the header of this psalm in your Bible, you will notice it says, “A Psalm of David, when he fled from Absalom, his son.”

That’s super beneficial information for us today. Digging into who Absalom is and why David is fleeing from him will help add color to the cries of Psalm 3. So, let's first do a brief history lesson.

2 Samuel 15-17 tells the story of David fleeing Absalom. But I think a helpful practice when it comes to Bible reading is first familiarizing yourself with the context of your reading. So, I returned a few chapters and started reading what happened to David before he fled Absalom. We don’t often flee for no reason, so what’s going on here?

Well, if you turn back a few chapters to chapter 11, you will discover that David has fallen headfirst into sin. Bad sin. When David should have been out to battle, he stayed back in Jerusalem. Late one afternoon, he gets up from his couch and notices a beautiful woman bathing on her rooftop. It was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah. David sent messengers to her and took her, and she came to him, and he laid with her. She conceived and was pregnant.

This deeply bothered David. Since her husband, Uriah, was off at battle, David knew that people would have questions. So, David, doing what many of us would do, sought to cover up his sin. He called Uriah off the battlefield and sent him home, hoping he would be with his wife. But Uriah refused. Therefore, David sent Uriah back to the battlefield with the command, “Set Uriah in the forefront of the hardest fighting, and then draw back from him, that he may be struck down, and die.” Uriah died, and after Bathsheba mourned his death of him, David brought her to his house to become his wife.

This angered the LORD. So, God, through Nathan, rebukes David. He tells a story of two men, one who was rich and the other who was poor. The poor man had nothing but one little lamb that he loved dearly; the rich man had many lambs. When a traveler came to the rich man, he was unwilling to take one of his own lambs. Instead, he prepared the poor man’s lamb for his visitor. This infuriated David, and he said, “As the LORD lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, and he shall restore the lamb fourfold because he did this thing and because he had no pity.” Nathan said, “You are this man!”

This led the LORD to say, “Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house. And I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun.” So, because of David’s sin, evil will come against David from his own household.

Fast forward. One of David’s sons, Amnon, is in love with one of his half-sisters, Tamar. Tamar is Absalom’s sister. Amnon rapes Tamar. Then hate fills his heart toward her, and he kicks her out. Absalom discovers what Amnon did to his sister, and he grows to hate Amnon. This leads to Absalon eventually killing.

After killing Amnon, Absalom runs away.

After years of grieving the death of his son, Amnon, David begins to miss his Son, Absalom. So, David’s nephew begins to persuade David to allow Absalom to return. Absalom returned and lived outside of Jerusalem.

After some time, he began to sit outside the gates to Jerusalem every day. Anytime someone would journey into Jerusalem to see the king for judgments, Absalom would stop them and plant lies in their mind about David. He would say things like, “It’s a shame that the king cannot address your problems. But, if I were judge, I would make sure your needs were met.”

After years of doing this, Absalom persuaded a large portion of Israel, and he raised a revolt against his father, the king. It says, “The conspiracy grew strong, and the people with Absalom kept increasing,” leading to “the hearts of Israel going after Absalom.” This led to David and his servants fleeing. Somewhere in the time of David fleeing and hiding from his son, we find Psalm 3 penned.

Now, why do I share this story of David? I share it to add color to this Psalm.

On the one hand, can you imagine the heartbreak and pain that stems from your son hating you so much that he tries to take your job and kill you? That’s a bottle of grief that I hope I never have to open!

On the other hand, I want us to notice that David's leading cause of lament here is his own sin. Because of David’s sin with Bathsheba, Nathan said that God would “raise up evil against David out of his own house (2 Sam 12:11).” Absalom’s revolt against David was a part of God’s judgment against David. Yet, even in the eyes of the storm of God’s judgment, God’s hand is on David. Discipline is not the same thing as destruction. God disciplines those that he loves, but he doesn’t destroy them. God saves us from our sin. But he may not always save us from the consequences of our sin.

Perhaps you’ve sinned, and today you’re dealing with the repercussions of those sins. Maybe today, you find yourself in the eye of a storm you’ve honestly brought upon yourself. I hope this Psalm is water to your soul today. There is grace for you, just like there was grace for David. There is hope for you, just like there was hope for David. There are still blessings on the table for you, just like there were still blessings on the table for David.

So, let’s dive in.

“[1] O LORD, how many are my foes!

Many are rising against me;

[2] many are saying of my soul,

“There is no salvation for him in God.” Selah

[3] But you, O LORD, are a shield about me,

my glory, and the lifter of my head.

[4] I cried aloud to the LORD,

and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah

[5] I lay down and slept;

I woke again, for the LORD sustained me.

[6] I will not be afraid of many thousands of people

who have set themselves against me all around.

[7] Arise, O LORD!

Save me, O my God!

For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;

you break the teeth of the wicked.

[8] Salvation belongs to the LORD;

your blessing be on your people! Selah

This Psalm begins with David crying out to the LORD, informing him of what’s taking place in his life. Do you think God is unaware of what’s going on in David’s life? Of course not. Yet, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, David fills the LORD in on what’s taking place in his life. Friends, I’m here to tell you that God has invited you to his throne today. Although God knows everything, he invites you to tell him what’s happening in your life. God doesn’t need you to tell him what’s going on in your life. But he invites you to tell him what’s happening in your life. The beauty of prayer is that God invites us to invite him into the meticulous details of our lives.

That’s what David is doing here, inviting the LORD into the storm of his life! So, like a coiling boa constrictor squeezing its prey, David’s enemies are creeping in on him. In speaking of his foes, the term “many” means many. Absalom has stolen the heart of Israel, and the entire nation has risen against him. And, in speaking of his soul, they are saying he is without hope. God has forgotten him. God has abandoned him. David is without hope.

Oh, how difficult it is to embrace the truth about God when everyone around you is saying the opposite. Oh, how difficult it is to embrace the truth about God when our present circumstances seem to say otherwise. David is at a point where his circumstances and the multitude surrounding him say he is without hope.

So, what does David do? Does he throw in the towel and believe the lie spoke against him?

The word “selah” appears at the end of this introduction in verse 2. We’re not sure what Selah means. But, we believe it to be a call to pause and reflect. It is a time to let what has just been said simmer in our hearts.

So, what about you? What shapes your beliefs? Is it the message of the masses or the message of God? Do you sometimes feel as if many are rising against you? Do you sometimes feel as if there is no salvation for you in God? Does it feel like many are whispering about you today that you’re too far gone?

Instead of giving into despair, David runs to the LORD and says,

“[3] But you, O LORD, are a shield about me,

my glory, and the lifter of my head.

[4] I cried aloud to the LORD,

and he answered me from his holy hill. Selah”

Here, we see that David’s confidence rests solely in God. A shield offers protection. Glory and lifting a head offer dignity and honor. So, it’s in our weakest moments that we see God as most powerful. Everything has been stripped from David. He lost his power and prestige. His son has abandoned him and is conspiring against him. He’s being publicly mocked and humiliated. Yet, as his hands are empty, God is his shield. As he has no glory left, only shame, God is his glory. As his circumstances only force his head to hang low, God is the lifter of his head. The beauty of the Christian faith is that God is shown to be most powerful in our weakness and most beautiful in our tears. Dependence is always better than independence.

As David was surrounded by his enemies and everything had been stripped from him, he cried out to the LORD, and the LORD answered him. Church, God will answer the humble cries of his people. We were reminded of this last week, but it’s worth repeating. God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble. Cry out to the LORD, and he will answer you. God is in the prayer-answering business. But his answer may not always be the answer we want. He may say yes. He may say no. He may say wait. But God hears our cries, and he always answers the humble cries of his people.

Notice how the language here is past tense. He cried aloud (past tense) and answered (past tense). This indicates that David assumes God’s future faithfulness because of his past faithfulness. We know God will be faithful in the future because he has been faithful in the past.

Then David says,

[5] I lay down and slept; I woke again, for the LORD sustained me.

[6] I will not be afraid of many thousands of people who have set themselves against me all around.

God never sleeps. Therefore, sleep can be worship, an active display of my trust in God. I’m not going to make a scientific statement here, and I fully acknowledge that sleep apnea exists. There are a multitude of scientific reasons that can contribute to our lack of sleep. But I do want to say that not all of our sleepless nights stem from scientific reasons. Some of our sleepless nights stem from theological reasons, a lack of trust in God. I’m here to tell you, from a personal perspective, I sleep best when I trust God most. We do not have to be afraid in the midst of despair because we belong to the God who never sleeps. So, may we join with the psalmist in saying, “In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”

David then concludes,

[7] Arise, O LORD!

Save me, O my God!

For you strike all my enemies on the cheek;

you break the teeth of the wicked.

[8] Salvation belongs to the LORD;

your blessing be on your people!

He cries out for God to act on his behalf, saving himself and all of God’s people. As we seen in 2 Samuel, God answers David’s prayer, ushering in salvation.

Church, salvation belongs to no one but the LORD. He alone saves. We are saved by grace through faith; it is not our own doing so that no one might boast. The one to whom salvation belongs is sitting on the throne, working all things together for our good. As our enemies surround us, God is with us. In the same way that God provided a way out of the corrupt rule of Absolam, God has provided us a way out of the corrupt rule of sin, death, and Satan. Jesus is that way. Jesus is the greater David, the eternal ruler. He is the sword God chose to use to defeat our enemy, and he’s the shield we use to stand against the attacks of our enemy. He is our only hope for eternal life. Therefore, we rejoice together that the one who possesses salvation has freely given it to us in Jesus!

Psalm 109

Psalm 109 is what we would describe as an imprecatory psalm. Imprecatory psalms contain various appeals for God to pour his wrath out on the wicked. These psalms express the desire for God’s vengeance to fall on his (and his people’s) enemies. They’re explicit, bold, and highly controversial in their use of actual curses. Instead of praying for the good of his enemies, one will find the author praying for God to curse his enemies. Because of the vengeful spirit in these psalms, some have said that these passages breathe a savage spirit and are unfit for Christian devotional use. C.S. Lewis, for example, says we “should be wicked if we in any way condone or approve” the hatred in these Psalms. After all, how could such a loving God inspire such violent language?

So, before we unpack this Psalm, we must first entertain the question, “Is Psalm 109 inspired by God?”

2 Timothy 3:16-17 states, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” So, God has inspired all of Scripture; it is the breath of God breathed out through the pen of man.

Nonetheless, how do we know Psalm 109 falls into this category of inspired Scriptures? Well, there are multiple routes we could take. But, in my estimation, the most convincing is the New Testament’s embracing of this Psalm as a God-breathed, Holy Spirit inspired prophecy.

In Acts 1, Jesus’ disciples and the early church reference this Psalm as a foreshadowing of Jesus’ crucifixion and Judas’ betrayal. So, because the apostles and the early church embraced these imprecatory Psalms as the Holy Spirit-inspired word of God, we too can and should embrace them as the Holy Spirit-inspired word of God. Imprecatory psalms are good, and there is much to gain from them.

We must remember that the goal of the Christian faith is not to worship a God that we have formed to fit into our imagination or agenda. The goal is to worship the one true God who has revealed himself to us in the Scriptures. So, when we encounter difficult truths, we don’t push them aside or dismiss them. We embrace them.

So, as we prepare to dive into this Psalm, let me direct our attention to Acts 1:16-20. In speaking about Judas, Peter says,

“[16] “Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit spoke beforehand by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. [17] For he was numbered among us and was allotted his share in this ministry.” [18] (Now this man acquired a field with the reward of his wickedness, and falling headlong he burst open in the middle and all his bowels gushed out. [19] And it became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that the field was called in their own language Akeldama, that is, Field of Blood.) [20] “For it is written in the Book of Psalms,

“‘May his camp become desolate, and let there be no one to dwell in it’;

and

“‘Let another take his office.’”

The apostles and the early church interpreted this Psalm through a prophetic lens to refer directly to Judas’ betrayal of Jesus. Thus, it would benefit us to do so, as well! Psalm 109 is primarily a prophecy about Jesus and his betrayer, Judas. And, secondarily, this prophecy teaches us an essential truth about God’s commitment to justice and his willingness to save.

Let’s dive in.

“[1] Be not silent, O God of my praise!

[2] For wicked and deceitful mouths are opened against me,

speaking against me with lying tongues.

[3] They encircle me with words of hate,

and attack me without cause.

[4] In return for my love they accuse me,

but I give myself to prayer.

[5] So they reward me evil for good,

and hatred for my love.”

We first find a cry for the LORD not to be silent. The term silent implies a lack of action, an apparent disengagement. This is David saying, “Please don’t ignore me. Hear me and respond to my request, Oh LORD.” David wants the God he praises to respond and act on his behalf. As the wicked surround him, speaking deceitfully and falsely against him, he’s asking the LORD to stand next to him. As the wicked encircle him with words of hate and attack him without cause, he’s asking the LORD to defend him.

Church, it would serve us well to be reminded that we do not always have to defend ourselves. We serve a God who is for us. And he is working in ways that we cannot see. We strive to be faithful, even when the wicked surround us. We seek to demonstrate love, even when we’ve been accused falsely. While David extended love, the wicked extended hate, as David was walking blamelessly, the wicked accused him falsely. They reward his good with evil and his love with hatred. Yet, he gives himself to prayer.

Do we see shadows of the cross here in David’s words? Jesus was attacked without cause. Jesus, the Son of David, was blameless, above reproach, and good. His life was marked with love. Yet, the wicked encircled him. In return for his love, the wicked falsely accused him and spoke lies against him. They attacked him without cause. Yet Jesus gave himself to prayer, continuing to glorify the Father until his last breath.

This is a fundamental element of this psalm that we cannot miss. To open this psalm and overlook its prophetic message is like going to a concert with noise-canceling headphones. You’re intentionally neglecting its purpose. Jesus is the greater David. He is the eternal King who came as a suffering servant. The Sovereign King emptied himself and became the humble lamb that was led to the slaughter. The King of kings was betrayed and pierced so that we might have peace with the God we have sinned against. All who find refuge in the crushed Son of David will be blessed.

And all who find refuge in Jesus should seek to live like Jesus. Those who embrace Christ as Savior should also embrace him as Lord. This means that we ought to imitate Jesus’ actions here. We strive for blameless living. We seek to walk in love and goodness in all seasons. And we do so with the understanding that if the world hated Christ, they will hate us, too. All who find refuge in Jesus should seek to live like Jesus. If Jesus was attacked without cause, we will be attacked without cause. If the wicked spoke falsely against our Lord, they will speak falsely against us.

How you treat a king is how you will treat his people. So, expect at times to be encircled by the wicked. But, as you’re surrounded by the wicked, may these verses counsel us on how we respond. Vengeance is not in our hands but only in God’s hands. So, when the wicked come after us falsely, may we go to the LORD in prayerful praise.

Let’s continue reading.

“[6] Appoint a wicked man against him;

let an accuser stand at his right hand.

[7] When he is tried, let him come forth guilty;

let his prayer be counted as a sin!

[8] May his days be few;

may another take his office!

[9] May his children be fatherless

and his wife a widow!

[10] May his children wander about and beg,

seeking food far from the ruins they inhabit!

[11] May the creditor seize all that he has;

may strangers plunder the fruits of his toil!

[12] Let there be none to extend kindness to him,

nor any to pity his fatherless children!

[13] May his posterity be cut off;

may his name be blotted out in the second generation!

[14] May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the LORD,

and let not the sin of his mother be blotted out!

[15] Let them be before the LORD continually,

that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth!

[16] For he did not remember to show kindness,

but pursued the poor and needy

and the brokenhearted, to put them to death.

[17] He loved to curse; let curses come upon him!

He did not delight in blessing; may it be far from him!

[18] He clothed himself with cursing as his coat;

may it soak into his body like water,

like oil into his bones!

[19] May it be like a garment that he wraps around him,

like a belt that he puts on every day!

[20] May this be the reward of my accusers from the LORD,

of those who speak evil against my life!”

Here, we find David using strong, poetic language of judgment regarding the wicked. As a New Testament believer, you’re probably asking yourself, “Are you allowed to pray like that???”

So, how do we reconcile the language in these verses? Well, if I could summarize this prayer in a concise statement, it would be this: In this prayer, David prays that the wicked will experience the fruit of their sinful ways. In response to his false accusations against the righteous, David prays that an accuser will stand at his right hand and render him guilty. As the wicked plots for David’s death, David prays that the day of the wicked will be short. As the wicked seek after his own riches through oppression, David prays that the creditors will take all he has and that strangers will plunder the fruits of his toil. David is praying for their sins to be dealt with viciously, that their memory will be cut off from the earth.

This prayer teaches us a fundamental element of God’s justice. You will reap what you sow. Galatians 6:7-8 says, “Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.”

If you plant basil seeds in the ground, basil will grow. Similarly, if you plant watermelon seeds in the ground, watermelon will grow. If you walk in disobedience to God, expect corruption. If you walk in obedience to the Spirit, expect eternal life. So, David is rightfully praying the wicked will experience the fruit of their sinful ways. He’s praying that God will not delay in bringing judgment and that the wicked cannot continue walking in disobedience. God is just, and judgment will always come for the wicked.

Before we make the prophetic connection here to Judas, let’s take our mouse and double-click on this concept of God’s love and justice. How can a loving God endorse such a vindictive spirit? How can a loving God be so cruel?

I think a misunderstanding of love is at the heart of this struggle. We often view neighborly love as an endorsement of individual autonomy. In other words, if you love someone, you must allow them to live however they want. However, the Bible (and nature) teach us that judgment and love are not at odds. A loving father doesn’t allow his children to do whatever they please whenever their actions lead to harm. A sane civilian doesn’t scoff at a judge carrying out just judgments. So, we need to get to a place where we understand that just judgments are not the antithesis of love. Just judgments are an expression of God’s love, and if they’re an expression of love, then we can conclude that praying for justice is a good thing.

In addressing the early church, I mentioned this earlier, but Peter quotes this Psalm as a reference to Judas, claiming these words to be the Holy Spirit speaking about Judas. So, more than this psalm was intended to be an endorsement of praying harm toward your enemy, it was intended to be a prophecy about the one who would betray the Son of David, Jesus Christ.

Judas, one of the 12 disciples, came to Jesus while he was in the garden of Gethsemane with a crowd of chief priests, scribes, and elders. He became a guide to the wicked and betrayed Jesus with a kiss. Upon seeing Jesus betrayed, Judas felt remorse and went and hung himself, fulfilling the words spoken here in Psalm 109. So, this psalm was intended to highlight the judgment that would come upon the one who would betray Jesus. Judas, like this Psalm said, did not remember to show kindness. Judas, like this Psalm said, pursued the poor, the needy, and the brokenhearted to put them to death. Like this Psalm said, Judas clothed himself in curses, not delighting in blessing. Like this Psalm said, he felt the weight of judgment for his actions. The curses he clothed himself in soaked into his body like oil into his bones. Judgment was his reward.

***There’s also a greater enemy here in this Psalm who will reap the fruit of his decisions. Jesus is the [J]udge who will one day judge every living thing, and Satan is the [A]ccusor who will reap the final reward of eternal judgment.

Now, in the blink of an eye, we find the tone of this Psalm shift. Following David’s request that God pour out swift judgment upon the wicked, we see him crying out to the LORD for help.

“[21] But you, O GOD my Lord,

deal on my behalf for your name’s sake;

because your steadfast love is good, deliver me!

[22] For I am poor and needy,

and my heart is stricken within me.

[23] I am gone like a shadow at evening;

I am shaken off like a locust.

[24] My knees are weak through fasting;

my body has become gaunt, with no fat.

[25] I am an object of scorn to my accusers;

when they see me, they wag their heads.

[26] Help me, O LORD my God!

Save me according to your steadfast love!

[27] Let them know that this is your hand;

you, O LORD, have done it!

[28] Let them curse, but you will bless!

They arise and are put to shame, but your servant will be glad!

[29] May my accusers be clothed with dishonor;

may they be wrapped in their own shame as in a cloak!

[30] With my mouth I will give great thanks to the LORD;

I will praise him in the midst of the throng.

[31] For he stands at the right hand of the needy one,

to save him from those who condemn his soul to death.”

Notice the language here. “Deal on my behalf, for your name’s sake.” The source of our plea isn’t our worthiness; it’s God’s glory (his worthiness). God deals on our behalf for his name’s sake, for his glory! This reminds us that (1) the Christian faith is a humble faith, and (2) God will always act on behalf of his people for his glory.

The Christian faith is a lowly faith. We are needy people who worship a mighty God. We are small people who walk with a big God. “He stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save him from those who condemn his soul to death.” As we learn in the book of James, God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble. That’s a promise. The law of gravity states, "What goes up must go down." But the law of the gospel states, "What goes down must go up." Those who mourn their sin against God and look upon Christ in faith will be exalted— all you find refuge in Jesus will be blessed. Those who weep their sins against God and look upon Christ in faith will becleansed. God opposes the proud, but he gives grace to the humble. So, be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy return to gloom. Humble yourself before the LORD, and he will exalt you

Are you tired today? Humble yourself before the Lord, and he will give you strength. Are you broken today? Humble yourself before the Lord, and he will restore you.

God will always save those who cry out to him. So, if you're ever left wondering if God's grace for you will run out, please know that his ocean of grace will never dry up! There has never been a time when he has not been gracious. We cry out to the LORD in hope, knowing he is faithful to save.

Like David, we can give great thanks to the LORD with our mouths! We can praise him in the midst of the throng. “Throng” is a weird word we likely don’t use often. But, it means multitude or many. So, we will praise God in private and in public. We will praise him alone in the car at night, and we will praise him in the public square. We will praise him in church on Sunday, and we will praise him in the midst of despair on a rainy Thursday.

All of us will face opposition in this life. Most of our opposition will likely be because we partially deserve it. However, there will be times when we are oppressed unjustly. But, even in those moments, we ought to find that grace still oozes out of us, even when we’re poked with injustice. Jesus, on the cross, prays, “Father, forgive them,for they know not what they do.” Steven, moments before his death, prays, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.”

So, although there may be a time when a believer is permitted to pray imprecatory type prayers, I’m not sure whenthose moments will be if, even in the face of death, we find Jesus and his disciples praying for grace, not judgment. If you find yourself praying for this type of judgment more than grace, I would argue that you have not experienced the cross.

Psalm 139

Some passages in the Bible require a lot of unpacking. This is not one of them. Psalm 139 is straightforward and clear, allowing us to spend more time pondering than analyzing and meditating rather than discerning.

For the past few weeks, we’ve mentioned three terms describing God: omnipresent, omnipotent, and omniscient. Today, we will unpack those doctrines in greater detail. However, we will do so with a practical lens rather than an abstract theological lens. In doing so, we will gaze upon the glorious truth that no one knows you better than God.

Let’s dive in.

“[1] O LORD, you have searched me and known me!

[2] You know when I sit down and when I rise up;

you discern my thoughts from afar.

[3] You search out my path and my lying down

and are acquainted with all my ways.

[4] Even before a word is on my tongue,

behold, O LORD, you know it altogether.

[5] You hem me in, behind and before,

and lay your hand upon me.

[6] Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;

it is high; I cannot attain it.”

This Psalm starts with the declaration that God searches and knows us. The term search can imply a desire to obtain something one lacks. If, for example, I can’t find my keys, I will search until I find them.

However, the term “search” here isn’t intended to highlight a lack of information, as if God is looking for something he doesn’t already possess. God is all-knowing; he doesn’t lack any bit of information. Instead, the term ‘search’ is intended to highlight God’s careful concern for the deepest parts of our being. He has “searched me and knows me,” meaning there is no crevice of your heart or fiber of your being that God is unaware of. The parts of our being that we aren’t even willing to go, God has gone. No one knows you better than God.

Perhaps when we consider the doctrine of God’s omniscience, we do so abstractly. We think of God knowing everything about science, matter, and history. But Psalm 139 forces us to consider this doctrine through a personal lens. God doesn’t simply know everything about the world; he knows everything about you. God knows you better than you know you. He knows your actions. He knows when you’re sitting down and resting. He knows when you’re standing up and working. He knows your thoughts, carefully watching and observing them from afar. He knows every word you’ve ever spoken, even before a word is on your tongue. He hems you in, “behind and before you,” meaning you are entirely under his control and power.

This reality can be terrifying and beautiful. And the terror we feel from these verses can lead to joy.

We all feel the temptation to become hyper-focused on works performed in the light while diminishing works done in the darkness. We say things like, “I can’t believe you just said that,” whenever we think the same thing. But God knows what’s going on deep within your heart. He’s searched your innermost being. He’s acquainted with your thoughts, and he knows your words before they’re ever on your tongue. You may persuade others to believe you’re someone you’re not, but God sees through the facade. He knows you better than you know you.

That can be terrifying because we all fear being fully known and not fully loved. But the Bible shows us how God, who knows us fully, also loves us fully. He loves us enough to send his Son to the cross so we might have life through him. And the God who knows us best has given us the Scriptures to guide and lead us toward righteous living. Therefore, the Bible shouldn’t be seen as something that’s at odds with us. It should be seen as something that leads to our good and his glory.

No one knows us better than God. The only right response is to stand in awe of God and worship him, joining David in saying, “Such knowledge is too wonderful for me; it is high; I cannot attain it.”

Not only is God omniscient, but he is also omnipresent. There is nowhere God is not.

Look at verses 7-12,

“[7] Where shall I go from your Spirit?

Or where shall I flee from your presence?

[8] If I ascend to heaven, you are there!

If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!

[9] If I take the wings of the morning

and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

[10] even there your hand shall lead me,

and your right hand shall hold me.

[11] If I say, “Surely the darkness shall cover me,

and the light about me be night,”

[12] even the darkness is not dark to you;

the night is bright as the day,

for darkness is as light with you.”

There’s no way to escape the presence of God. You can go to the highest point in heaven or the lowest point in Sheol, and God will be there. You can go into the depths of the sea, and God will be there, holding your hand and leading you. God is the creator of night vision goggles; darkness cannot hide you from his sight. To God, the night is as bright as day.

Again, this truth can be terrifying and edifying.

God is looking over your shoulder as you search those websites. God is in the room with you as you gossip and slander your neighbor. God is watching you as you lie on your taxes. You think you can hide from God, but you can’t. You cannot flee from his presence. You cannot hide from the one whose darkness is as light.

This truth can also be water to our soul this morning. The wind of life will lead us all to various places this week, but we don’t journey there alone. God is with you in the darkroom of your house as you lie awake, wondering if anyone loves you. God is with you in the hospital bed as you wonder if there’s a cure for your illness. God is with you in the courtroom as you sit there anxiously, wondering if justice will ever be done. God is with you on vacation, offering you the rest you need to recharge your soul. God is with you when you get the phone call of a loved one passing away. The God who is omnipresent is with you today. There is nowhere that he is not.

But God is not only omnipresent but also omnipotent. He possesses all power. Again, the temptation is to think about this truth abstractly from the perspective of moons and stars. However, David gives us a practical lens through which to view this doctrine.

Look at verses 13-16,

“[13] For you formed my inward parts;

you knitted me together in my mother’s womb.

[14] I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works;

my soul knows it very well.

[15] My frame was not hidden from you,

when I was being made in secret,

intricately woven in the depths of the earth.

[16] Your eyes saw my unformed substance;

in your book were written, every one of them,

the days that were formed for me,

when as yet there was none of them.”

The all-powerful God of the universe formed your inward parts. God made me for a purpose. He knitted you together in your mother’s womb. You were fearfully and wonderfully made. Your frame was not hidden from God when you were made in secret. You were intricately woven in the depths of the earth. (This phrase seems strange, but I believe he’s alluding to the reality that there are aspects of our formation that will always remain unseen and mysterious to man. God sees that which remains unnoticed by man. No one is capable of truly seeing how a baby receives life. That will always remain a mystery. But it’s not a mystery to God.) Like an elderly woman knitting in her rocking chair, you were distinctly and intricately woven together by God for his glory and purpose. He knows your life's intricate and delicate details, down to the minutes and hours of your life.

You may hear this today and chuckle, thinking, “God skipped over me in the fearfully and wonderfully made department. I’m dreadfully and awfully made.” Perhaps you’ve been diagnosed with a particular type of disability, which has caused you to feel less significant than everyone else. If that’s you, I’m here to remind you of the words in Psalm 139. God’s works are wonderful, and you are a part of that masterpiece. In John 9, you find Jesus passing by a blind man, which leads Jesus’ disciples to ask him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?” Their question assumes the blind man was created less significantly because of someone’s sin. But, Jesus responds, “It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him.”

Church, the enemy will whisper in the night, “You are worthless, and no one wants you.” But, while the enemy whispers, God shouts, “I formed you for a glorious purpose.” Therefore, even with our ailments, we can shout,“Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well.”

As we continue to read, David shouts in verse 17,“How precious to me are your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! If I would count them, they are more than the sand. I am awake, and I am still with you.” Here, David revisits the concept of thoughts, but this time, God’s thoughts are the focal point instead of our thoughts. The thoughts of God outnumber the grains of sand on the planet. Yet, this unknowable, vast, and great God of the universe, who is far greater than us, is still with us.

Then David concludes by saying,

“[19] Oh that you would slay the wicked, O God!

O men of blood, depart from me!

[20] They speak against you with malicious intent;

your enemies take your name in vain.

[21] Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD?

And do I not loathe those who rise up against you?

[22] I hate them with complete hatred;

I count them my enemies.

[23] Search me, O God, and know my heart!

Try me and know my thoughts!

[24] And see if there be any grievous way in me,

and lead me in the way everlasting!”

Given the context, we can conclude that the wicked are coming against David unjustly. In doing so, they speak against the LORD maliciously— the wicked loath God. And with a heart full of hate, they’re rising up against God. Once again, David cries out for God to act in righteous judgment against the wicked, “God, do not delay in bringing judgment against the wicked.”

David allows God to see his honest and raw emotions toward the wicked—“I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies.” Church, God is not afraid of your honesty; he welcomes it. God is not afraid of your honest prayers. If God knows your innermost thoughts, he’s not afraid of you telling him what you feel. Here, David is honest with the LORD. And in this honest confession, we see his disdain toward the wicked.

We will spend more time unpacking this next week. But, for now, the takeaway I want to pull from this is this: It is good to hate sin. We must hate sin. And it’s good to despise the sin of others. But, before we ever concern ourselves with the sin of others, we must first concern ourselves with our own sin. This Psalm starts with an acknowledgment of God knowing every aspect of David’s heart. It ends with David laying down the keys to his heart at the feet of the LORD, saying, “Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way of everlasting!”

Some of us have been deeply wounded by others, and hatred has filled our hearts. And we’re holding tight to that hatred today. I’m here to tell you today that a Godly hatred never leads to wrath. It never leads to bitterness. It never leads to withholding blessings from others. If our enemy is hungry, we feed him. If our enemy is thirsty, we give them something to drink. Godly hatred rests in the heart of one who is always willing to repent. Ungodly hatred, however, leads to wrath. It leads to bitterness. It leads to all sorts of evil. And it rests in the hearts of those who are unwilling to repent.

Psalm 11

In summarizing our Psalm for the day, I think James Hamilton does so beautifully, “The message of Ps 11 is timeless and easy to apply. When people who belong to the Lord contemplate the threats of the wicked, they should do so in light of what God has said, in light of God’s righteous character, and in light of God’s coming judgment. We now know that Jesus is the descendent of David, in whom the promises of Ps 2 are fulfilled. Jesus will judge the wicked, and those who trust in Jesus will behold the glory of God in the face of Christ.”

Let’s dive in.

“[1] In the LORD I take refuge;

how can you say to my soul,

“Flee like a bird to your mountain,

[2] for behold, the wicked bend the bow;

they have fitted their arrow to the string

to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart;

[3] if the foundations are destroyed,

what can the righteous do?”

[4] The LORD is in his holy temple;

the LORD’s throne is in heaven;

his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.

[5] The LORD tests the righteous,

but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.

[6] Let him rain coals on the wicked;

fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.

[7] For the LORD is righteous;

he loves righteous deeds;

the upright shall behold his face.”

JESUS IS OUR REFUGE

This Psalm begins with David declaring his faith and trust in the LORD— “In the LORD I take refuge…”

The term “refuge” refers to safety and security. It’s in the LORD, and the LORD alone, that David feels he is safest. As various threats in life come knocking, we find safety in the LORD.

The phrase at the start of this psalm is identical to the one at the end of Psalm 2, where David says, “All who find refuge in him shall be blessed.” Who is “him?” “Him” is Jesus, the anointed King who the nations plotted against.

If you remember, Psalms 1 and 2 introduce the entire book of Psalms. Psalm 1 begins with a declaration, “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked…and delights in the law day and night.”Psalm 2 ends with the declaration, “Blessed are all who find refuge in him (the anointed one in which the nations plotted against.” In marrying these two Psalms together, we learn that Jesus is the blessed man in Psalm 1, and all who find refuge in Jesus will experience the promised blessing at the start of Psalm 1.

At the start of our Psalm today, David identifies as one who takes refuge in the LORD. Therefore, he is blessed. Jesus is our refuge. Therefore, in Jesus, we are safe.

If I could summarize verses 1-3 with a concise sentence, it would be as follows: Those who are in Christ are safe from all attacks by the enemy. We need not fear; Christ is near. We need not run; we have the Son.

FLEE LITTLE BIRD

The safety of the LORD leads David to respond to a particular set of threats by the wicked. He says, “How can you say to my soul, ‘Flee like a bird to your mountain, for behold, the wicked bend the bow; they have fitted their arrow to the string to shoot in the dark at the upright in heart; if the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?”

This weekend is the first weekend of dove hunting season. As a hunter, your focus becomes hyper-aware of the life of small birds. One thing you notice about birds is how skittish they are. As an object approaches a bird, the bird scatters and flees for safety.

This is the imagery being used here by David. The upright and the righteous are those who take refuge in the LORD. And they are portrayed as a tiny bird in a field. The wicked, however, are portrayed as a strong warrior who has his arrow drawn and ready.

Nature assumes the bird will flee to the mountains for safety. But David doesn’t. He defies nature here and stands firm in the face of the wicked. The threats of the wicked have not succeeded in intimidating the righteous.

Why flee to the mountains when the LORD of the mountains is with you? There’s no reason to fear the bending of the bow when the LORD is your refuge. Those who are in Christ are safe from all attacks by the enemy.

Following this, David begins to describe who the LORD is, solidifying his lack of fear in the face of the wicked. In verse 4, he says, “The LORD is in his holy temple; the LORD’s throne is in heaven; his eyes see, his eyelids test the children of man.”

GOD IS CLOSE AND GOD IS KING

Notice the tension in the first half of this verse. The LORD is in his holy temple, and his throne is in heaven. Here, we see two locations for God highlighted: the temple and heaven. One highlights his nearness, while the other highlights his sovereignty.

The temple was God’s dwelling place in Israel, where he dwelled with his people. David says, “The LORD is in his holy temple,” meaning it is not abandoned. God is close. Therefore, there’s no reason to fear.

Have you ever noticed what a young child does when faced with fear? He grabs the legs of a parent and hides. As the close proximity of a parent provides safety to a child, the close proximity of God should provide safety to God’s people.

Friends, I’m here to tell you today that God no longer dwells in a building or a tent down the street. The Bible tells us that we, the church, are the holy temple of God (Eph 2:21). God dwells with us by dwelling in us. God, right now, is closer than he’s ever been to his people, dwelling in the hearts of his people. God is close.

But if God is close to his people, what about everything that is done away from his people? Friends, David reminds us that although the LORD is in his temple, he also sits on his throne in heaven. And his eyes see everything. As Gerald Wilson puts it in his commentary on Psalms, “God is at once among his people, strengthening, empowering, and saving, and at the same time above all humans, ruling, examining, and rendering righteous judgments.” There’s no reason to fear the plans of the wicked because God sees them, and he knows them. Judgment is coming.

OMNIPRESENT, OMNIPOTENT, OMNISCIENT

This verse alludes to three big theological words: omnipotent, omnipresent, and omniscient.

Omnipresent is the doctrine that God is present in all places, everywhere. He is in his temple while also sitting on his throne in heaven. You can go to the deepest parts of the Mariana Trench, and God will be there. You could go to the farthest part of the galaxy, and God will be waiting for you.

Omnipotent is the doctrine that God is all-powerful. God is sitting on his throne in heaven, possessing all power. He created everything with the power of his word, and he holds everything together at this moment in time.

Omniscient is the doctrine that God is all-knowing. There’s not a single event throughout history that caught God off guard. And there’s not a single plan of the wicked that can thwart his sovereign will. From God’s heavenly vantage point, he sees all things, and he knows all things.

GOD THE REFINER

At the end of verse 4, we see that “his eyelids test the children of man. The LORD tests the righteous, but his soul hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.” Here, we see a theme of God “testing” his people. Our initial response to the word “test” might be to imagine God passing out a multiple-choice sheet of paper with questions on it. But that’s not the imagery we see here. The word “test” here is the same word used in Zechariah 13:9 and James 1:12. It’s a refining term, a term of difficulty, a term of sanctification, which means that to embrace Christ as Lord is to embrace his refining. As the prophet Zechariah puts it, “And I will put this third into the fire, and refine them as one refines silver, and test them as gold is tested.”

Refining silver is an extensive process that involves a lot of heat. To refine silver, you would stick it in the fire. Once it reached a specific temperature, you would remove it from the fire and scrape off the dross, leaving pure silver.

This is what his people should expect. Those who find safety in God should expect God to test them like a refiner tests gold. God uses trials to make his people more like Jesus. So, please do not be surprised when you’re met with trials and calamities and persecutions. The one who willed the sword against His Son for our salvation has also willed the fire for our sanctification. The Christian community is a refining community. To embrace Christ is to assume difficulties. The Christian life is not always easy. Those who belong to God will be refined.

Therefore, with James, we can say, “I count it all joy as I ‘encounter trials of various kinds’ because I know that ‘the testing of my faith will produce steadfastness,’ and when steadfastness has ‘its full effect,’ I will ‘become perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.’”

The fire is never fun. But, it’s a necessary because it leads to beauty. The act of God testing the righteous is a grace given to the righteous because it leads to more righteousness. It leads to your good and Christ’s glory. So, even while we’re in the fire, we can rejoice.

Following this declaration about God being the sanctifier of his people, we see that “God hates the wicked and the one who loves violence.” God’s hatred of the wicked can make us feel uncomfortable at times. But we must be careful not to reject something we find in scripture simply because it makes us uncomfortable. Instead, in the words of the commentator Gerald Wilson, we should seek to “understand it within the whole context of Scripture.” So, biblically speaking, we learn that God does not take pleasure in evil, and it cannot dwell in his presence (Psalm 5:4). Therefore, it is only fitting for us to assume God abhors the wicked. God is “adamantly and eternally opposed to those who use violence to oppress others and to further their own power and control.”

GOD THE EXECUTOR OF JUDGMENT

This leads to David praying with anticipation, “Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.” The language here is identical to what took place with Sodom and Gomorrah, where God rained on “Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the LORD out of heaven.” So, this is judgment language, a threatening language of discomfort and demise and finality. Judgment is coming for the wicked.

The Bible mentions two cups: a cup of salvation (Ps. 116:13) and a cup of wrath (Is. 51:17, 22-23). The wicked will drink from the cup of wrath, and the righteous will drink from the cup of salvation. But, the beautiful paradox of the gospel is that Jesus, the righteous one, drank the full cup of wrath so that we, those who find refuge in him, can drink from the cup of salvation. In the words of Paul, he who knew no sin became sin so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. All who find refuge in Jesus will be spared from God’s wrath and drink freely from the cup of salvation. But all who choose to to reject Christ will experience God’s judgment. God will not allow the wicked to continue in their sin. Judgment is coming for the wicked.

Now, before we land the plane there, let me shine a light on who it is that is raining down coals on the wicked. David says, “Let him rain coals on the wicked; fire and sulfur and a scorching wind shall be the portion of their cup.” Who is “him?” “Him” is the LORD. It is God who has permission to rain down judgment, not you. And God will rain down judgment one day in his timing. It is permissible to pray for God’s judgment; it is not permissible to take judgment into your own hands. So, we never repay anyone evil for evil. Instead, we give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on us, we live peaceably with all. We never avenge ourselves. Instead, we leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is my, I will repay,” says the LORD.” If our enemy is hungry, we feed him. If our enemy is thirsty, we give him something to drink. For by doing so, we will heap burning coals on his head. May we not be overcome by evil. May we overcome evil with good.

It is permissible to pray for God’s judgment; it is not permissible to take judgment into your own hands. Judgment is coming for the wicked. God will not allow them to continue in their sin. But, all who find refuge in Christ will be spared from this coming judgment and behold the face of the LORD.“For the LORD is righteous; he love righteous deeds; the upright shall behold his face.” One day, we will be with God in perfect harmony for all eternity. So, as we wait for this day, may we seek to worship God with the pleasant offering of righteous deeds.

Psalm 127

Psalm 82

Psalm 15

Psalm 37

Psalms 1-2

Ephesians 6:23-24

Ephesians 6:21-22

Pray in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17-20)

The Shoes of the Gospel of Peace (Ephesians 6:15)

The Sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17)