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PSALM

CHAPTER 59

1 To the chief Musician, Al-tas'-chith, Mich'-tam of David; when Saul sent, and they watched the house to kill him. Deliver me from mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me. 2 Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men. 3 For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD. 4 They run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold. 5 Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.

David's running from Saul actually began with the incident that sparked the writing of this song. He had just married Saul's daughter, and Saul had begun to despise him. Obviously it was with Saul's consent that David married Michal. But Saul's refusal to obey God and his lack of contact with God through daily prayer allowed him to hate and want David destroyed. David had gained a good reputation among the people, and Saul's reputation was diminishing.

God did deliver David according to his prayer. Michal let him down out of the house through a window. From there David continued to escape Saul's vengeance.

David's prayer is much like ours when we are faced with a difficulty we cannot handle. He calls for God to deliver him from the enemy.

6 They return at evening: they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city. 7 Behold, they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear? 8 But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the heathen in derision. 9 Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my defence. 10 The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.

Making "a noise like a dog" is a term used to describe the people who are against David. They are like the scavenging dogs which growl and roam at night trying to find food and fighting each other over any food they find.

But David realizes that God Who called him will also preserve him (verse 10).

11 Slay them not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them down, O Lord our shield. 12 For the sin of their mouth and the words of their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and lying which they speak. 13 Consume them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth. Selah. 14 And at evening let them return; and let them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city. 15 Let them wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.

David also prays that God will not destroy them immediately, but rather that God will allow them to become shamed and therefore be an example to others.

How often we desire our enemy (the devil) to be destroyed immediately. But God is preserving his defeat for shame.

In God's time He will vindicate the righteous and destroy the wicked.

16 But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble. 17 Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.

Until that time, our duty is to PRAISE GOD! As we realize that our ONLY defense is from God, we can sing about His grace all day.

CHAPTER 60

1 To the chief Musician upon Shu'-shan-e'-duth, Mich'-tam of David, to teach; when he strove with A'-ram-na-ha-ra'-im and with A'-ram-zo'-bah, when Jo'-ab returned, and smote of E'-dom in the valley of salt twelve thousand. O God, thou hast cast us off, thou hast scattered us, thou hast been displeased; O turn thyself to us again. 2 Thou hast made the earth to tremble; thou hast broken it: heal the breaches thereof; for it shaketh. 3 Thou hast shewed thy people hard things: thou hast made us to drink the wine of astonishment. 4 Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth. Selah. 5 That thy beloved may be delivered; save with thy right hand, and hear me.

Again, David is pleading with God for deliverance. He received a "word" from God to fight against the Philistines and Syrians. He was successful in defeating them.

But while he was defeating them, the Edomites attacked the nation. And David said it was as if God caused the "earth to tremble." To him, even the thought of defeat, was as if God had deserted him. God had "given a banner" to David that signified victory and not defeat because he depended and relied totally upon God.

But David sent Joab to fight against the Edomites, and Joab and his brother Abishai were victorious. (See 1Chronicles 18)

6 God hath spoken in his holiness; I will rejoice, I will divide Shechem, and mete out the valley of Succoth. 7 Gilead is mine, and Manasseh is mine; Ephraim also is the strength of mine head; Judah is my lawgiver; 8 Moab is my washpot; over Edom will I cast out my shoe: Philistia, triumph thou because of me.

But God gave an encouraging word to David and said that he would make him victorious. The tribes of Israel belonged to God, and God would make Moab His "washpot," and Edom would become enlsaved to Israel. In fact, Joab made them become servants.

9 Who will bring me into the strong city? who will lead me into Edom? 10 Wilt not thou, O God, which hadst cast us off? and thou, O God, which didst not go out with our armies? 11 Give us help from trouble: for vain is the help of man. 12 Through God we shall do valiantly: for he it is that shall tread down our enemies.

David acknowledges the "word" from God. He asks "WHO" else but God could lead him in such victory? God may have allowed defeat on one hand, but He grants great victory on the other. And Israel, David says, "shall do valiantly" because GOD HIMSELF will tread down the enemies.

Let us remember that God is our Divine Helper!

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