Psalm 11

Psalm 11

A psalm of trust through trial

"To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David. In the LORD I put my trust; how can you say to my soul, 'Flee as a bird to your mountain'?" (verse 1)

     Have you ever just wanted to run from a certain situation or trial you were facing, to flee like a bird when it is in danger? To run as far as the east is from the west from your trouble, that you might never have to face it? 

      David knew this feeling all too well, for he was often in great trouble. David, also, is famous for talking to himself. In Psalm 42, for instance, he questions and then admonishes himself, "Why are you cast down, oh my soul? And why are you disquieted withing me? Hope in God! For I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God." (Psalm 42:11) 

      Here in Psalm 11, David rebukes his own treacherous thoughts that are encouraging him to doubt and fear. He reminds himself that he has put his faith in God, and will not run from his troubles, like a bird flies to a solitary sanctuary in the hills when pursued. 

      When faced with a frightening or overwhelming circumstance, we may be tempted to run from or avoid the pain, the shame, or the turmoil that will be the natural accompaniment to the coming trial. I, for one, do not not relish suffering. 

      However, it says in 1 Peter 1:6-7, "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ." Trials are a test of our faith. 

      When we cling to our confidence in the Lord in the midst of the suffering, our faith itself increases in value. As faith is the currency of heaven, so to speak, our trials are really but wonderful opportunities to store up heavenly treasure! No wonder, then, in grasping this reality, Peter was able to "greatly rejoice" when faced with multiple and "various" fiery trials! 

      Stand fast in your difficult situation, be patient, and endure it in the confidence that God will never leave you, nor forsake you, and will bring you safely through. Your faith will shine like gold and your testimony of victory will glorify God. Be encouraged!

"For look! The wicked bend their bow, they make ready their arrow on the string, that they may shoot secretly at the upright in heart.  If the foundations are destroyed, what can the righteous do?" (verses 2-3)

      Ah, now we begin to see what David's particular troubles entail; he is under a malicious attack, intended to destroy the very foundation that he stands upon. Those who trust in the Lord must choose, like David, to not give in to fear, but to put their faith in God, who is able to deliver them. 

      Notice, too, the intention of this attack: the destruction of foundations.  This has ever been the ploy of satan, the enemy of our souls. He hates the gospel of grace, and seeks to thwart our every attempt to fulfill the great commission of Matthew 28:18-20, whether in our homes, churches, workplaces, or community. 

      He attacks our homes with strife, our minds with temptations, our relationships with confusion and suspicion, our bodies with fatigue, our hearts with stress, and every other arena of life he can. He never fights fair, either, always going after the weak and defenseless areas first. 

       When a church falls apart due to divisions and strivings, when a marriage falls apart because of sin and selfishness, and when a life falls apart through belief in the lies and deceptions of the enemy... foundations are destroyed, and that particular witness of the gospel is wounded.  It is tragic. What can the righteous do? We've all seen it happen before. Perhaps it has happened to you.

      Well, I have a message of hope for you today regarding such situations! The gospel of grace has not been destroyed, no matter whatever else may have fallen in the crash. 

      And furthermore, the very essence of the gospel IS GRACE. Grace is the power of God to transform what was dead, broken, and ruined into a testimony of beauty, strength, and glory! God delights to take a humble, broken heart and breath new life and power into it. No one is too far gone for God to take them and totally transform them into a beautiful trophy of grace... in fact, that's His specialty! 

      If you have fallen down, take His hand of mercy and arise. He has a future and hope prepared for you still.  It is NEVER too late for God to restore a broken life. In spite of the attempt to destroy it, the gospel always wins through God's great mercy and grace. It is impossible to destroy the foundation of the gospel, for it is founded upon Jesus Christ Himself, who is alive forevermore. "For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ." (1 Corinthians 3:11)

"The LORD is in His holy temple, the LORD's throne is in heaven; His eyes behold, His eyelids test the sons of men. The LORD tests the righteous, but the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates. 

Upon the wicked He will rain coals; fire and brimstone and a burning wind shall be the portion of their cup. For the LORD is righteous, He loves righteousness; His countenance beholds the upright." (verses 4-7)

      Notice, first, that there is a contrast provided for us here in these last four verses. There are the righteous and there are the wicked.... and then, there is GOD, the LORD of heaven and earth, sitting upon His Great White Throne of Judgment. Here too we have a contrast of affections: those whom He loves and those whom He hates. But it is the final contrast in these verses that I will comment upon. 

       Those whom He tests and those whom He sends into eternal torment.  God looks upon the righteous with love and proves them through times of suffering, but He abhors those who love violence and wickedness, and portions out punishment accordingly. 

       David writes this set of contrasts for a definitive purpose: to differentiate the great trials and tribulations that we may face even after we have been clothed with the righteousness of Jesus Christ, with the final judgment of the wicked in that "great and terrible Day of the LORD." It says in 1 Peter 4:17, "For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?"  

      We are in the age of grace, the church age, or the "time of the gentiles," where for a short season that seems long, He has extended great mercy to the nations, Jew and Gentile alike. During this time period, He is simultaniously gathering together a "bride" for Himself and purifying her for the day of the "wedding." 

      This is accomplished through many means, including testings and trials. Much like we strengthen our bodies through lifting weights, (which actually tears the muscle tissue causing growth in the healing process), God strengthens us spiritually through tribulation. 

       We, however, will not go through the "Great Tribulation" period spoken of by the prophets, because it is synonymous with the Day of the Lord's wrath, meaning the "period" of God's judgment upon the wicked.  The book of Revelation speaks clearly about this time period of great punishment upon those left on the earth. Those who trust in Him experience trials in this life, but we are spared the judgment of God. 

       David reminds us, even as he reminds himself, of this this terrible reality that awaits those who would make it their life's aim to hate God and all those who belong to Him. The point simply being, the wicked, though they bend the bow to shoot secretly at the upright in heart, seeking to destroy the foundations of the gospel, will NOT succeed. 

      Even if there are casualties from their arrows, God is the ultimate redeemer and healer, and is victorious in the hearts of all who hope in His mercy. He will one day put an end to all evil, and make a distinction between the righteous and wicked.  Take comfort in this thought: Whatever we may face in this life, no matter how hard it may get, that is the worst it gets for us!  

      After this life is eternal life, where there is joy unspeakable! You don't have to despair, you don't have to run, you don't have to fear. This is a test; it is ONLY a test. And on the other side is joy and peace beyond measure. "Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." (Hebrews 12:11) 

      May God minister comfort to you though His Word in your times of trial. Amen.

Psalm 10

Psalm 10

A psalm about God's social justice

"Why do You stand afar off, O LORD? Why do You hide in times of trouble?" (verse 1)

       Have you ever entered the throne room of God just to register a complaint? Well, David has a complaint, and its about what he perceives as God's lack of action in cases of injustice. Perhaps you too have felt frustrated as you've watched, or maybe even experienced, some evil taking place that you had no power to prevent. 

      Your heart cried out for God to intervene, to put a stop to what was happening, but silence seemed to be heaven's reply. Have you ever felt like David? Angry and confused about God's goodness when faced with a travesty of evil? Let us do what David did, and pour out our hearts before the Lord, giving Him room to act according to His righteousness. God can take it.

"The wicked in his pride persecutes the poor; let them be caught in the plots which they have devised. For the wicked boasts of his heart's evil desire; he blesses the greedy and renounces the LORD. The wicked in his proud countenance does not seek God; God is in none of his thoughts." (verse 2-4)

      David has begun his official complaint; he paints us a provocative word picture in describing the character and conversation of wicked men. In all three verses pride is referenced as a chief characteristic of the ungodly:

       -In selfish schemes, the wicked man legally steals from the impoverished, proudly rejoicing in his cunning and deceit (vs. 2). 

       -He self-assuredly brags about his ambitions and honours those who have become rich through oppression, rejecting any accountability to God (vs.3). 

      -His entire existence, thought life, and lifestyle all reflect his all-consuming focus on himself (vs.4) Proud and self-centered, the wicked man lives as a god unto himself. 

      David continues his descriptive complaint...

"His ways are always prospering; Your judgments are far above, out of his sight; as for all his enemies, he sneers at them. He has said in his heart, 'I shall not be moved; I shall never be in adversity.' His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and oppression; under his tongue is trouble and iniquity. 

He sits in the lurking places of the villages; in the secret places he murders the innocent; his eyes are secretly fixed on the helpless. He lies in wait secretly, as a lion in his den; he lies in wait to catch the poor; he catches the poor when he draws him into his net. So he crouches, he lies low, that the helpless may fall by his strength. 

He has said in his heart, 'God has forgotten; He hides his face; He will never see.'" (verses 5-11)

      Oh, the righteous anger that stirs within my own chest in reading of such unchecked evil!  David notes that these wicked men seem impervious to both the laws of men and of God. They can get away with anything, even murder, without consequence. Rather than reaping the terrible fruit of what they have sown, they instead seem to only get richer, prouder, and more brazen. 

      They sneer at those who expose their evil, for they feel untouchable. Deceived by the apparent success of their wicked plots, they believe their sins will never catch up with them, not even after death. They see God's inaction as either weakness or blindness, and continue to heap up for themselves wrath, as they continue to rob the innocent and murder the just.

      I cannot help but to remember the slave trade of North America, so few years ago, or the Holocaust in Eastern Europe, just decades ago, or the child sex trafficking alive and happening, even now, all over the world! Such evil is not forgotten by God, yet still it continues, as does David's complaint...

"Arise, O LORD! O God, lift up Your hand! Do not forget the humble. Why do the wicked renounce God? He has said in his heart, 'You will not require an account.' But You have seen, for You observe trouble and grief, to repay it by Your hand. 

The helpless commits himself to You; You are the helper of the fatherless. Break the arm of the wicked and the evil man; seek out his wickedness until You find none." (verses 12-15)

      David's complaint climaxes with this cry for justice. He is saying in essence, "You see; You know; You hear... so DO something!" He points out that the wicked perceive God's forbearance towards them as a license to do evil, and pleads with God to uphold the humble and helpless. David then recalls God's fatherly nature, protecting those who have no earthly protector, and begs God to "break the arm" of the wicked, meaning that He should prevent them from "reaching out" to do any more evil. 

       Notice that his address to the Lord is less accusatory now than it was at the start. Somewhere in the midst of his plea, it seems he remembers just Who he is talking to. God, the good, the just, the loving, the protecting, the merciful, the gracious, the powerful GOD. 

      In remembering who His God is, David grows in confidence that his prayer will be not only heard, but answered, as well. He boldly tells God to cut off their wicked schemes forever, thoroughly purging away all their evil. Such is a prayer of faith in a just God... his God, our God, the only God. 

      When we focus our eyes upon the LORD, amidst all our anger, confusion, fear, and emotional turmoil, our peripheral vision becomes clearer. We now see all things in light of who He is, and our confusion is clarified, the anger melts away, and our fears dissipate in the face of Jesus Christ. 

       He knows about each and every injustice done to man, from the beginning of time until this very moment, and can even see all that will sadly yet transpire. It was with this all in mind and in heart, that He submitted Himself to the cross to die. Jesus bore our sin and our pain in His own blameless body and soul. 

      He died for all my sin, your sin, and the sin of every man born on this earth. He bore the guilt for every crime against God and humanity upon Himself, as if He were the one guilty of those sins. He literally died in my place as the criminal I am before God. I have never killed a man, but I have hated in my heart. I am guilty of murder. I have never been unfaithful to my husband, but I have lusted. I am guilty of adultery. I have never owned a slave to serve my every selfish whim, but I have shopped at stuff-mart and own many things made by slave labour. I am guilty. 

      The truth is, God is just. Too just for most of us. We crave justice for others, but beg mercy for ourselves. How can the two coincide in God together? In the person of Jesus Christ. He took our just punishment upon Himself and extended to us the mercy that is His alone to offer.  Jesus is the answer to injustice. The only answer.

"The LORD is King forever and ever; the nations have perished out of His land. LORD, You have heard the desire of the humble; You will prepare their heart; you will cause Your ear to hear, to do justice to the fatherless and the oppressed, that the man of the earth may oppress no more." (verses 16-18)

      David all at once remembers the end of the story. God will judge the wicked and restore the earth to righteousness and peace, Himself ruling the earth as King from Jerusalem. With his eyes now set upon God, David sees the present injustice in light of all eternity. This life is but a blip in the map of time. Just a flash, a whisper. David elsewhere declares man to be but a vapour, a puff of smoke, seen for just a moment and then vanishing into thin air (Psalm 39). 

      Having been raised in the university generation, I was brought up with the mindset that a preparatory education, no matter the cost in time, money, and energy, was well worth the fulfilling and lucrative career that it would in time yield. In other words, it is wise to endure several years of hard work, study, and student poverty for the rich reward of a recognized degree which would in turn open the doors to the American Dream. And many will attest to the value of following such wisdom. 

      It is indeed tempting to idle away those first adult years in travel, or to start making money right away at any old job, or to take a break from responsibility and live off your parents for a while. But as all successful degree wielding people know, the "sacrifice" is well worth the financial security and prosperity it yields them the rest of their life. 

      The equation is simple. Four years sacrifice for fifty plus years wealth. Yet, the equation seems dim regarding eternity to many. The ungodly see only the "now," and forget that God will require an account. Those who cling to their own righteousness and right to self-govern during this short life, forfeit an eternity where "in His presence is fullness of joy and at His right hand are pleasures forevermore." (Psalm 16:11 ) Practically speaking, is it not a better investment to surrender these short, fallen seventy or so years for untold billions of years in a perfect eternity? 

      Today, if you have yet to do so, place your trust in Jesus Christ. This life, evil or good, is passing away...fast. It could end tomorrow; are you ready?

      God is just, more just than man could ever be in all his humanitarian attempts at social justice. It is right, of course, to stand for what is right and do good at every opportunity. This is the natural outflow from the life of a follower of Jesus. True and undefiled religion to is to help widows and orphans in their time of trouble (James 1:27) 

      I believe in compassion ministries and financially support several of the best, as well as reaching out in my own city to the destitute and needy. However, there is coming a day when Jesus Christ will return in the clouds and every eye will see Him and every knee will bow. He will rule the earth in true righteousness and justice. 

      Until then, we are called first and foremost to spread the good news of redemption to a lost and dying world. Compassion and social justice are means of communicating God's love to the world, but must never become confused with the gospel message itself. As a friend of mine always says, "Only heaven's heaven!" or as Jesus taught His disciples to pray, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."(Matthew 6:10)  Amen. Maranatha! Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus!

Psalm 9

Psalm 9

A psalm of righteous judgment  

"To the Chief Musician. To the tune of 'Death of the Son.' A Psalm of David. I will praise You, O LORD, with my whole heart; I will tell of all Your marvelous works. I will be glad and rejoice in You; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High." (verses 1-2)

      In this psalm destined for the Chief Musician, (the leader of the Levite Temple Choir), David begins with a note that no new instrumental composition was required for this piece, as the lyrics worked with the tune of an already existing song by the name of "Death of the Son." This particular song has been lost to us today, but clearly God designed that the words of David's replacement should stand the test of time...3,000 years of time. 

      A good number of the beloved hymns of yesteryear were written to existing popular secular tunes of their day. Upbeat and with a marching tempo, many of our most sacred songs had their origins in bar rooms and taverns. Clearly, in God's estimation, good music is good music, and is not at all bothered by holy words sung to "worldly" melodies. David is just overflowing with praise as he begins this passionate psalm, declaring his rapturous delight in his God.

"When my enemies turn back, they shall fall and perish at Your presence. For You have maintained my right and my cause; You sat on the throne judging in righteousness. You have rebuked the nations, You have destroyed the wicked; You have blotted out their name forever and ever. 

O enemy, destructions are finished forever! And you have destroyed cities; even their memory has perished. But the  LORD shall endure forever; He has prepared His throne for judgment. He shall judge the world in righteousness, and He shall administer judgment for the peoples in uprightness." (verses 3-8)

        Verse three sheds some light on the cause for David's great rejoicing; he is fully convinced, by faith, that God is going to stand up for him against those who hate him.  In short, David believes that God is on his side.  He is the good guy, on the right side, with the just cause. His enemies are the bad guys, on the wrong side, and with evil intent. 

      When starting a children's movie with my kids, the plot and characters are generally pretty predictable, and I am always certain that, no matter how bad it seems to get for the good guys, in the end, good triumphs and evil loses. I, of course, know this from experience, having watched too many movies over the years. However, my kids are not as certain, and can easily become frightened at parts where the main character seems in deathly peril. I often have to reassure them, "I promise he won't die." And you know what? He never does. 

      Well, David was a man who actually lived an adventure/ drama/ action/ sword fighting/ romance/ political intrigue movie plot. One of the most exciting characters in the Bible, he also was a famous musician, outlaw, and king. And over the many years of seeing God's favour and faithfulness towards him, David just knows that God is going to take care of him this time, too. He knows who's going to win, and it is not the bad guys.

"The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; for You, LORD, have not forsaken those who seek You. Sing praises to the LORD, who dwells in Zion! Declare His deeds among the people. When He avenges blood, He remembers them; He does not forget the cry of the humble. 

      Have mercy on me, O LORD! Consider my trouble from those who hate me, You who lift me up from the gates of death, that I may tell of all Your praise in the gates of the daughter of Zion. I will rejoice in your salvation." (verses 9-14)

      When you look into the annals of world history, it becomes painfully clear that untold multitudes of people have lived and died horrible lives, bound under the oppression of wicked men and women. Today, billions live tragic lives of hunger, slavery, disease, and fear. Millions of innocent men, women, and children die because of mankind's greed and selfishness. 

      In North America, we rip babies out of the safety of their mother's wombs and throw them in trashcans, legally. The trafficking of children for sex, the murder of Christians, the destruction of poor people's land and health through toxins and chemicals, the list could go on and on. Does God see all of these horrible things that happen daily? The unspeakable atrocities that have happened all throughout history, for thousands of years? The billions and billions of lives ruined by the sin of others? 

       The answer is a resounding, "YES!" God sees, and God cares. God is good, and hates evil. Why then does He allow such wickedness to happen, to "go unchecked"? 

       You see, God gave mankind a free will to make choices, good and bad, and He allows men the right to make evil choices. When a person asks why God doesn't just step in and punish all the evil men, they make themselves judges as to the standards of right and wrong. 

      What exactly constitutes "evil"? If God punishes those who live luxuriously off of child sex trafficking, should He not also punish those who publish child pornography? What about those who sell it? Or how about your local pedophile, or that man who "just" thinks sexually about children? How far is God to go in "stopping evil men"? 

      Well, the Bible actually answers that. He will go all the way to the hidden things of the heart at the final Judgment, but right now, He extends mercy to all who will receive it, and waits until the appointed day. Is mercy just for the "innocent"? No, God's mercy is for all of us. "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23) God extends mercy to both the victim and the victimizer, and truly saves them both through humble faith alone. David is confident in God's care for the helpless, and includes himself with them in needing God's deliverance.

"The nations have sunk down in the pit which they made; in the net which they hid, their own foot is caught. The LORD is known by the judgment He executes; the wicked is snared in the work of his own hands. Meditation. Selah. 

      The wicked shall be turned into hell, and all the nations that forget God. For the needy shall not always be forgotten; the expectation of the poor shall not perish forever. Arise, O LORD, do not let man prevail; let the nations be judged in Your sight. Put them in fear, O LORD, that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah." (verses 15-20)

      God's judgment is perfectly fair. By the exact degree that a man commits evil, by the same degree will he be judged; and his judgment is certain. No wicked deed will go unpunished; God will eternally punish the wicked. When we see atrocities committed all around us, we need not despair. God will judge it. But today is the day of God's mercy, the age of grace. 

       Today, God is calling out for all who hear to repent of their dead works and place their trust in Him... today, to receive the mercy of God through faith. 

       Jesus died the death of the wicked, bearing the worst of mankind's sins upon His own body. Murder, lust, greed, perversion, hatred, deceit.... He took the WHOLE punishment, for the WHOLE of mankind. The oppressed and the oppressor, He died for them both. His mercy is for them both. His mercy is for all. It is free. By faith. 

      If you are trusting in your own goodness and good works, repent and trust in His mercy alone, and be saved from the judgment to come. "The Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9) 

      We all die. Even the the strongest and most beautiful end up in the grave. We are but men. But for those whose hope is in the LORD, death is but the passageway to life! Full, physical, forever LIFE. Even heaven is our home but for a season; after this earth is judged, we will return to it in eternal material bodies to live life the way we wished we could have from the beginning... perfect health, strength, minds, emotions, and relationships, all without even a taint of sin or sorrow. 

      It is how God designed us to live from the beginning, before man's choice in the garden. It is natural to desire peace, prosperity, health, and wisdom; but utopia is impossible until Christ returns to reign on this earth. O, Lord, Jesus, come!

Psalm 8

Psalm 8

A psalm about God's gift of dominion to man

"To the Chief Musician. On the instrument of Gath. A Psalm of David. O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth, who have set Your glory above the heavens!" (verse 1)

      Before David was a king, before David was even a commander of an army, David was a shepherd. Raised as the youngest in his clan, he was sent out to the fields from an early age to tend the family's flock of sheep. He spent days, possibly even weeks at a time, out in the field leading the flock to pasture and protecting them at night. He probably rarely slept inside the family home with the rest of his siblings, but spent the majority of his life under the stars. It is, thus, little wonder that the enormous magnitude of the glittering members of the night sky would leave an indelible impression of God's might and magnificence upon his soul.

         Later, as a harpist for King Saul, he sang the psalms he wrote in those fields, and even later, when he himself was king, he composed music regularly for the Levite singers at the temple. The Levite choir and orchestra was lead by a conductor called the Chief Musician. To him, David delivered his compositions, often with notes regarding specific instruments or the melody. Explanations were sometimes offered on the particular source of inspiration that prompted writing the new psalm, as well. Here we have the recommendation that this piece be played on an instrument of Gath, known as a "Gittiyth", literally "winepress."

       There are two other psalms, written by Asaph and the sons of Korah, that also recommend the use of this particular ancient instrument. Psalm 8, 81, and 84 all were played originally on a Gittiyth, and were titles often played during the feast of booths, when people would sleep outdoors under palm branches and grape clusters reflecting on their wilderness sojourn during the days of Moses. This "winepress" instrument was apparently in some way particularly suited to the theme of this tabernacle feast. In reading all three psalms in order, you may notice several correlating thoughts related to this yearly festival of remembrance. Feel free to share any observations or interesting comments below.

"Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, because of Your enemies, that You may silence the enemy and the avenger. When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?" (verses 2-4)

       God has always chosen the weak things to confound the strong. Imagine a scheduled boxing match: "Babies and Nursing Infants versus Enemies and Avengers". Not exactly a fair match. My kids have a long running joke of the sort that only children actually find humerous, but all the same succeeds everytime in causing me to laugh right alongside them. It goes like this: "What if a Leviathan killed a Behemoth?" (two Biblical dinosaurs) As the other children picture the battle between the giants, they say, "Woaaah!" Then our seven year old comedian will say, "No, wait! What if a tiger killed a Behemoth?" Disbelief and smiles all exclaim,"Noooo!"  The scenario becomes increasingly more ludicrous with, "No, wait...what if a cat killed a Behemoth?" The reaction is fairly explosive now, with a loud and clamorous, "Nuh Uh! Noooo waaaay!" The joke ends with a definite impossibility, voiced softly and provocatively, "A newborn kitten killed the Behemoth." At this, the rest of the children positively erupt into hoots and hollars that THAT simply can't happen! and they all are besides themselves with laughter.

       The joke, it seems, is in the preposterous notion of the mightiest of creatures defeated by the weakest of creatures. Rather than bigger and stronger, the victor gets smaller and weaker. Well, God sees not as man sees. He uses the weak of this world to confound the strong. "But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty;"(1 Cor. 1:27)

       We tend to look at the outward appearance, but God looks at the heart. What is more, God looks at the hearts of men, as opposed to mighty celestial beings... Men, not brilliant stars... Men, small and seemingly insignificant in this vast universe. He could have made us big. He didn't. He intended us to feel our weakness, our smallness, our impotency... for then, we will grasp for His strength, His power, and His might.  He is above all, and yet cares intimately for us all. The universe is vast; God is vaster still. And vast as He is, He comes and dwells inside of us when we put our trust in Him. Amazing!

        David was humbled and awed by both God's unlimited power displayed in the heavens, as well as His unlimited love displayed in His mercy to sinful man. That is something even more incredible than a kitten victorious. Selah;)

"For You have made him a little lower than the angels, and You have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, all sheep and oxen- even the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and fish of the sea that pass through the paths of the seas." (verses 5-8)

      Speaking here still of mankind, David writes that men are weaker than angels, the other created beings of this world. Angels are powerful creatures, capable of destroying vast armies of men and laying the entire planet waste. There are numerous accounts in scripture of the power God has given these spiritual beings. Angel and man are no match. 

      And yet, weak as we are, God has given mankind alone the rule over this earth.  He did not say to Adam and the angels that they were to have dominion over the earth. Adam's descendants, the human race, were solely given rulership over this planet. 

      Why then do we read scriptures referencing a certain angel called "the god of this age" (2 Cor. 4:4), "the prince of the power of the air" (Eph. 2:2), and "the ruler of this world"? (John 12:31) Satan, meaning "enemy" or "adversary", was once Lucifer, a magnificent angel of God. He sought to usurp God and was thus cast to earth a fallen creature. He then stole the authority over the earth from mankind when we rebelled against God, and has been a key background player in all of world history. 

      "We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one." (1 John 5:19) Tell me, why does every nation hate Israel, the apple of God's eye? Because satan does, and he temporarily reigns through mankind's rebellious forfeiture. Why is every belief on earth tolerated except Christianity? Because satan hates Christ, the Redeemer of mankind. 

      Yet, God intends the earth to forever be governed by man; it was given to mankind by God at the beginning and God will uphold His own appointment. How then shall it be reclaimed from these "principalities", "powers", "rulers of the darkness of this age", and "spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places?" (Ephesians 6:12) 

      Hebrews chapter two gives us the answer: "For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels.

      But one testified in a certain place, saying: [and he quotes this very passage, Psalm 8, verses 4-6 and continues], 

      "...for in that He put all in subjection under him, (speaking of mankind), He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels [ie. a man], for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone...that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil..." (Hebrews 2:5-9, 14) 

      Jesus came as a man, with man's right of dominion, that as a man He might redeem mankind, and in so doing redeem mankind's dominion. 

      Despite appearances, man does not have full dominion over the earth at present, even if various rulers exercise a limited authority over a limited area for a limited time. When a man dies, though he is a king, does he continue to rule in the grave? No, death, as introduced in Genesis 3 through mankind's sin, (and satan's deceit), is why satan rules this age. Mankind was intended to live forever in a perfect state on this earth, but Adam's choice to rebel in the garden cost him both his life and authority. Death unnaturally separates man from his God-given dominion. Here's the good news:

      With the power of death destroyed by Christ's death, mankind will be redeemed spirit, soul, and body to again have dominion over the earth, this time with the man Christ Jesus as King on earth, and righteousness reigning. Currently, all of man's earthly dominions are corrupted, and even the Church's attempts at spiritual dominionism are sad perversions of what only can be accomplished at Christ's return. We have no right to an eternal dominion at present, as these bodies we dwell in must yet still return to the earth in death, while our immortal souls await their new physical habitations at the resurrection. 

      Any "kingdom," however good or influential, we may spend our short lives here building will end with the grave. Worldly or religious, all kingdoms made by men will fall. The Catholics and Muslims sought to establish God's kingdom on earth through the sword a thousand years ago. The Puritans tried through the joinery of church and state in a more recent attempt at Utopia. Today, there are those in the Church who hope to restore cities and nations to God through spiritual and political strategies. They are merely fleshly attempts to reclaim the dominion lost at the fall of man. 

      Christ declared Himself to be the "Son of Man", that is, the rightful heir to the dominion given to man. Fully man, and fully God, Jesus is the total fulfillment of Psalm 8, and through the coming of His kingdom to earth, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven," (Matthew 6:10), we too will "inherit the earth" (Matthew 5:5) as His brethren. 

      The kingdoms of this world, themselves ruled by demonic influences, will continue for a time. We, however, belong to His kingdom, the Kingdom of Heaven, for which all the saints of old also waited for in hope. When He returns to the earth to reign as the eternal Son of Man, then we too, shall reign with Him on the earth (Rev.2:20). Look up! Our redemption draws nigh!

"O LORD, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth!" (verse 9)

      And thus, we return to where we began. Looking up. Regardless of who reigns upon this earth, regardless of what kingdoms may rise up or be cast down, One remains constant. The LORD, Yahweh, is ever upon His throne and ruling. 

      His glory is above the heavens, beyond the universe. He alone is GOD. And His name is above all names, "whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers" (Col.1:16). "Our God, the great, the mighty, and awesome God" reigns (Neh.9:32).  Amen.

Psalm 7

Psalm 7

A psalm of confidence in God's justice

 "A Meditation of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning the words of Cush, a Benjamite. O LORD my God, in You I put my trust; save me from all those who persecute me; and deliver me. Lest they tear me like a lion, rending me in pieces, while there is none to deliver. O LORD my God, if I have done this; if there is iniquity in my hands, if I have repaid evil to him who was at peace with me, or have plundered my enemy without cause, let the enemy pursue and overtake me; yes, let him trample my life to the earth, and lay my honour in the dust. Selah." (verses 1-5)

       David writes of a man from the tribe of Benjamin, Cush, who is persecuting him; Cush had apparently spoken malicious slander against David ("...concerning the words of Cush"...vs.1), accusing him of a specific sin, ("...if I have done this..." vs.3). There are others in agreement with Cush as well, ("...all those who persecute me"...vs.1), who seem to have set out to find and kill David for this supposed iniquity he is accused of.  David, in fear for his life, cries out to God for deliverance from their hands. In his appeal for Divine intervention on his behalf, he magnifies his own innocence by pronouncing a harsh judgement upon his own head should he actually be found guilty of what they are accusing him of.  In so doing, we are given a hint about the nature of the accusation itself. 

       David lays out three ifs, so to speak, followed by three thens; in other words, "If I have indeed done this, then let this happen to me." The three ifs are: "if there is iniquity in my hands," "if I have repaid evil to him who was at peace with me," and "[if I] have plundered my enemy without cause." So the nature of Cush's slander against David is that he treated someone else unjustly, whether friend or foe, and "did them wrong."  David responds by inviting them to pursue and overtake him, trample him under foot until he is dead, and defame his name, ("...lay my honour in the dust"...vs.5), if he is indeed guilty of wrong. 

       Perhaps you have been slandered before. Someone has unjustly accused you or defamed your reputation before others, and you now bear the shame of their words, however untrue. I know how that feels. Everything inside you begs to defend yourself and your actions. From experience, I have this one nugget of wisdom to offer: do not defend yourself. 

       It says in Proverbs, "The first one to plead his cause seems right, until his neighbor comes and examines him." (18:17) Someone has already pleaded their case against you, but when you plead innocent before others, you actually make them your judges! Like the defense in a court case, you are suspected of guilt, and your first inclination is to defend yourself against the prosecution. However, you are not on trial before men. You owe no one an explanation or alibi. If you are innocent before God, then let God be your defense. 

       It says of Jesus, "And as a sheep before its shearers is silent, so He opened not His mouth." (Isaiah 53:7) Once I was accused of doing something just aweful, and at the start, I sought often to clear my name. Yet as time progressed, I realized that people believe what they want to, and those who love truth, heard it. I found myself sympathizing with those who believe a lie about me, for if it was actually true, I would deserve to be tarred, feathered, and exposed as the villain I was! Now, when the matter is spoken of, I simply say nothing to my own defense, for if God wants my name cleared, that is His business, not mine. 

       We have been crucified with Christ and our life is now His; if He decides to do something about the slander, that is His place alone. Like David, pour out your heart to the Lord alone, and then simply rest in Him.

"Arise, O LORD, in Your anger; lift Yourself up because of the rage of my enemies; rise up for me to the judgment You have commanded! So the congregation of the peoples shall surround You; for their sakes, therefore, return on high. The LORD shall judge the peoples; judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to my integrity within me. Oh, let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end, but establish the just; for the righteous God tests the hearts and minds. My defense is of God, who saves the upright in heart." (verses 6-10)

       David's plea here is unique; he is begging God to get up on His judgment seat and judge him publicly!  He is essence saying, "Get everyone together, all the peoples, and hold court. I'll go stand in the place of the accused and my accusers can stand opposite. God, would You please act as Judge, because we know You are just. Lets just get this whole messy thing out on the table once and for all. Lord, You know the truth about me. Judge me by it. You see everything, including our hearts and minds. I know I am innocent. You know it. Defend me and publicly put this thing to rest for good."

          David's confidence was in God's omniscience; he knew God knew the truth, even if no one else did. And that was all that really mattered; still, he hungered for others to know the truth, "...for their sakes..."(vs.7) Clearly, believing this particular slander about David was not in the best interest of the people of Israel, David's friends and followers, or really anyone...for truth is always in the best interest of everyone. Some might argue that there is a time for everything in its place, and that there are times that truth should be set aside for the sake of unity, or peace, or whatever. Some might argue that speaking truth is not always gracious, but herein lies the beauty of the gospel of grace: it is truth coupled with grace that liberates the human soul from guilt, fear, hate, shame, and sorrow. "For the law was given through Moses, but grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:17) 

       Truth is always in our best interests.

"God is a just judge, and God is angry with the wicked every day. If he does not turn back, He will sharpen His sword; He bends His bow and makes it ready. He also prepares for Himself instruments of death; He makes his arrows into fiery shafts. Behold, the wicked brings forth iniquity; yes, he conceives trouble and brings forth falsehood. He made a pit and dug it out, and has fallen into the ditch which he made. His trouble shall return upon his own head, and his violent dealing shall come down on his own crown. I will praise the LORD according to His righteousness, and will sing praise to the name of the LORD Most High." (verses 11-17)

       David remains confident in the Lord's justice. He probably has a certain way he hopes this will turn out, but regardless of the outcome, he is assured that God is just and will not forget the cause of the innocent. At the final judgment, God will judge all the peoples righteously, but even in this short life time, God often allows natural consequences to serve as His judgment upon the wicked. Haman, at the time of the Persian Empire, who had built gallows upon which he intended to hang his enemy,  the God-fearing Mordecai, was instead executed upon them himself. David rests not in a divine promise so much as the very character and nature of God. He knows God is just. That is enough for him. 

        Whether God literally fights for his cause, or simply allows David's enemies to receive the due recompense for their accumulated acts of wickedness, David praises God in advance. David glories in the righteousness of God that is his by faith alone, and glorifies God in that same righteousness that he knows will ensure justice for himself. David starts this psalm with a declaration of trust and ends with praise. Such is always the way of faith. We can glorify God for what we know and trust He will do, even before there is any sign of it happening. "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen." (Hebrews 11:1)

Psalm 6

Psalm 6

A psalm of persevering faith in distress

"O LORD, do not rebuke me in Your anger, nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure. Have mercy on me, O LORD, for I am weak; O LORD, heal me, for my bones are troubled. My soul also is greatly troubled; but You, O LORD- how long? Return, O LORD, deliver me! Oh, save me for Your mercies' sake!" (verses 1-4)

       We find David here suffering from both physical illness and spiritual distress, and true to his character, he cries out to God to deliver him from both.    

       David had apparently sinned in some way, and believed that his present distress was related to that sin. Thus, David is not only sick in his body, but feeling sick in his heart as well. He is keenly aware of his sin, and fears that God may still be angry with him for it. Whereas God does lovingly chastise His children at times, which is a sign of adoption rather than rejection, (Hebrews 12:3-11), David fears that he may have angered God to the point of rejection. "Have I sinned one time too many? Is there a limit to the LORD's mercies?" David may have asked himself. Have you ever asked that? As a Christian perhaps you have again and again stumbled into some sin, and now find yourself feeling condemned, wondering if you are forsaken, and suffering under what feels like punishment for your failings. You fear you have out-sinned the mercies of God. Dear sister or brother, hear me. God is not punishing you, and He is not angry with you. This is not His wrath. If you have trusted in Christ for your salvation, you stand before God clothed in the righteousness of Jesus, not the guilt of your sins. Jesus bore in His own body on the cross the punishment for all your sins, and God never punishes twice. Your present distress was allowed by Him, yes, but He is not rejecting you. Even if you brought this trial upon yourself, He is there right beside you in it, upholding you in His grace. He will never leave you nor forsake you. 

        God alone can turn the worst of circumstances and the most fiery of trials into something even beautiful. In 1 Peter 1:6-8 it says, "In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love." God was not punishing David, but testing him... trying him... in his crisis. Trials are not about punishment, but FAITH! And David, in simply crying out to God for mercy, was victorious in this test.  God's times of testing are not to prove our own goodness, but our faith in His goodness!  David does not give in to the condemnation of the enemy, but still hopes in God's mercy. So, in the midst of your trial, place your hope and trust in the God whose mercies never fail! "Through the LORD's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." (Lamentations 3:22-23) His mercies have no limit. "Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever." (1Chronicles 16:34)

  "For in death there is no remembrance of You; in the grave who will give You thanks? I am weary with my groaning; all night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears; My eye wastes away because of grief; it grows old because of all my enemies." (verses 5-7)       

       David was not a materialist, as his words in verse five might suggest. He believed not only in an afterlife, but in the resurrection of the dead and an eternity with God. So why then does he say this? If David had died as a result of this illness, his soul would have been in "sheol," or "the grave", where the opportunity to recall God's deliverance in this matter and praise God for His faithfulness in answering this prayer would have been over. Only if God answered David's prayer to heal him from his sickness and rescue him from his enemies, would he live to thank God for it and remember His deliverance. He is in essence saying, "God, don't give up this opportunity to receive the glory I will give You when You deliver me! If I die, I can't thank You for saving me from death!"

        David's distress renders him a perpetual fountain of tears. He wails for God to hear him, forgive him, heal him. He cries day and night in agony over his condition. There is no relief; he is severely ill. Has God turned His back on him? he wonders. Yet, in spite of David's doubtful feelings, God does see all of our tears and cares for us in all of our groanings. He does not desert us in our most difficult times; He is present there with us all the way through. Even though David didn't feel it, God was with him in his illness and did not reject him in his failures. Interestingly, tears cause the release of harmful stress-related toxins in the body, aiding in both physical and emotional recovery. (source) God gave us tears for times of trial. Don't be afraid to cry; God sees and cares.

"Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity; for the LORD has heard the voice of my weeping. The LORD has heard my supplication; the LORD will receive my prayer. Let all my enemies be ashamed and greatly troubled; let them turn back and be ashamed suddenly." (verses 8-10)

         Isaiah 38:5 says, "Go and tell Hezekiah, 'Thus says the LORD, the God of David your father: "I have heard your prayer, I have seen your tears; surely I will add to your days fifteen years." Hezekiah was one of David's offspring, and also a king of Judah; he, like his "father", cried out to God in a great illness, and was heard. Perhaps he read this very psalm, written by his ancestral father, in his own distress and was bolstered his own faith. God has given us His Word, written by men like us, to show us His character and faithfulness, that we, too, may be strengthened in our faith. Romans 10:17 says, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Let God minister to you through His Word, and likewise be encouraged in your faith.

         David was confident that God had heard his prayer and extended His mercy to him; whatever his past sin and his present illness was, God, true to Himself, was merciful. David had human enemies that rejoiced in his failing health, seeking the opportunity to advance on the throne of Israel, whether from without or from within. They perhaps were Israelites who had spread rumours that David's sickness was the result of a lack of Divine blessing on their king, slandering his character and calling; or maybe, they were a rival nation that went out against Israel in battle, knowing that their great warrior king was too infirmed to fight or lead his people against them. Whatever the exact situation, David addresses those who wish him harm. He tells them, in essence, "Better get out of here now, because I am not going to die, and as you have been coming against God's annointed, God will come against you." He informs them that in spite of his own failings, God will have mercy on him simply because he trusts in His mercy. He does not defend his innocence. David's hope was always in God's mercy, not his own righteousness. Galatians 5:5 says, "For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith."  

        David is now confident not only that the LORD does not condemn him, but that He will also raise him up in health once more. He is assured in his heart of a full answer to his agonized prayers.  David had living faith. Hebrews 11:1 says, "Faith is the substance of things hoped for, and the evidence of things not seen." David declares this assurance even as he still lies ill in bed, surrounded by enemies. David knows his God, and is confident in His mercy. May we take God at His Word, and like David, trust in His mercy towards us in all our situations and trials in this life. He is always faithful!

Psalm 5

Psalm 5

A psalm and prayer for guidance

"Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my meditation. Give heed to the voice of my cry, my King and my God, for to You will I pray. My voice You shall hear in the morning, O LORD; in the morning I will direct it to You, and I will look up." (verses 1-3)

       David was a man who brought his troubles to God; many were his troubles and often were his prayers. Rarely was David not in need of God's deliverance, and we have the large collection of psalms in the Bible as evidence of this. In Psalm five, David begins with a fervent plea in the early morning hours, a prayer that had begun before he ever even mouthed the first words. David knew that God had heard his countless inner contemplations and had been listening to his weeping for many days. Now as he comes before Him early, to seek Him in his distress, David calls to God's remembrance his previous words, meditations, and cries before he lays out his desperate request. This is a short prayer, based on the depth of understanding he knows the Lord already has of his situation. Many words are not needed. Occasionally I find myself explaining the particulars of a situation to God, and telling Him what is happening, as if this were new and necessary information for Him to make a correct decision on my behalf!  David trusts in God's omniscience and comes before Him already assured that God is aware of all he is about to ask. What confidence we can have before the Lord in prayer when we take this truth to heart! He knows us; He knows our weaknesses, our desires, and our exact situation; and He invites us to ask Him for whatever it is we need. "Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16) Oh, and look up! David raised his eyes in expectancy of God's answer to his prayer. "And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive." (Matthew 21:22)

"For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, nor shall evil dwell with You. The boastful shall not stand in your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity. You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; the LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man." (verses 4-6)

      David recalls God's character of holiness and contrasts it with that of his own adversaries. God does not find wickedness pleasurable, but by implication, they do. No evil dwells with God, but they invite it into their very homes. Proud and arrogant, they gain the audience of men, but they will one day fall before the presence of a holy God. Both their works and their words condemn them.

"But as for me, I will come into Your house in the multitude of Your mercy; in fear of You I will worship toward Your holy temple. Lead me, O LORD, in Your righteousness because of my enemies; make Your way straight before my face." (verses 7-8)

      David now contrasts his own life with that of the "workers of iniquity." Notice that he does not boast in his righteousness, good works, or innocence; his contrast is not one of actions or even hidden motives. David is different from the condemned in one way only: he relies upon the mercy of the LORD. He brazenly enters the sanctuary of God, the holy tabernacle, and falls down before Him in worship. David casts himself at God's feet in humble confidence that God's imputed righteousness is his by simple faith alone. David was a sinner, just like us all, and his only claim to goodness was in the goodness of God given freely to him by faith. This is the same "good news" that Jesus proclaimed in Himself. Righteousness is a gift offered by God to those who trust Him to make them righteous.

David, now before the mercy seat of God, makes his petition. He needs guidance. He needs God's supernatural guidance. If he makes the wrong turn, he may die. One false move, and his life could be over. David has many enemies, and they all want his blood. David asks God to make the right way so clear to him that it is like a very obvious road directly in front of him. While we may not face such dire consequences in the choices we make, David's prayer is deeply relevant to our lives as well. God wants to guide us. He has a plan, a highly specialized plan, for each of our lives. He made you just the way you are, strengths and weakness both, for a specific purpose that He designed just for you. As you rely on Him to guide you each day, He will lead you into all that He has for you. "I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11) Ephesians 2:10 also says, "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." May He make His way straight before your face and lead you into all the good things He has planned for you!

"For there is no faithfulness in their mouth; their inward part is destruction; their throat is an open tomb; they flatter with their tongue. Pronounce them guilty, O God! Let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions, for they have rebelled against You." (verses 9-10)

      David's thoughts seemingly return to his troubles at this point. He is relying upon the LORD's mercy, laying his burden before Him, and expecting God to answer him. Yet, his thoughts again stray to his enemies. He recalls their lies and flattery, and rages inside himself. "Oh God, condemn them!" he cries. Its so easy to fall into the trap of replaying a situation over and over in your head, or dwelling on just exactly how you were hurt by someone in the past. The true enemy of our souls would seek to ensnare us with bitterness and unforgiveness towards those who have wronged us. I once heard said that bitterness is like drinking poison and hoping the other guy dies. When you have been hurt, give that hurt to Jesus and come before Him in the multitude of His mercy. You yourself have been forgiven much, and only in humility before God is forgiveness of others possible. While we feel we are owed an apology, or maybe even vengeance, we are in a state of pride that prevents us from truly forgiving, and leaves us vulnerable to the deadly grip of bitterness. When we, conversely, grasp how much we don't deserve anything but death ourselves, and grasp the magnitude of God's grace in granting us forgiveness, the ability to release the debt of another towards us becomes not only possible, but delightful. Oh the freedom of forgiveness!  David asks God to show no mercy to his enemies in their rebellion against God, but Jesus taught us to love our enemies, and to pray for those who spitefully use us. Leave vengeance in God's hands and come to Him in the multitude of His mercy, for we, too, were once enemies of God... saved by God's undeserved grace. "And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and blameless, and above reproach in His sight." (Colossians 1:21,22)

"But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; let those also who love your name be joyful in You. For You, O LORD, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield." (verses 11-12)

       David does not dwell on his enemies, however, and turns his mind towards the LORD once again. Rather than rage, he rejoices.  God is his trust, and God will deliver him this time as well. The words rejoice, joy, joyful fill these verses with a sense of expectancy and hope. God is going to take him through even this; David will live to praise the LORD yet another day. He has placed all his eggs in one basket, so to speak, in trusting God, and is banking upon God's promises to deliver those who thus place their trust in Him. It says in II Chronicles 16:9 that the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth searching for one heart that is loyal to Him, that He can show Himself strong on behalf of. He found that heart in David, whose life was lived in complete dependence upon His grace. He is still seeking today for all who would make the LORD their trust, that He might defend them and bless them.

         The word 'blessed' means "happy", and thus again we find an emphasis on joy in the conclusion of this psalm and prayer. David does not need to defend himself before his adversaries; God will defend him. That is indeed cause for rejoicing! God shows His favour to those who trust in His mercy with the blessings of joy and protection. Our enemies may speak boastfully and deceitfully against us (vs.5,9), but we need not answer them in self defense. God will be our defense. Speaking of Jesus in Acts 8:32 it says,  "As a lamb before it's shearer is silent, so He opened not His mouth." In the face of accusation or slander, it is natural to defend our character and actions, but in light this passage, and so many others in the Word of God, we would do better to say nothing. Let God be your defense. Let His blessings of joy and protection prove his favour towards you, and rest in His grace, His undeserved favour. Our righteousness is completely tied up in His righteousness, thus when ours is unjustly slandered, it is but for Him to set the record straight... not me. As for me, I will come into Your house, O LORD, in the multitude of Your mercy and worship. Thank You, Jesus!