My Soul Thirsts For You Series

In his book Reflections on the Psalms, C. S. Lewis writes these words:

The most obvious fact about praise—whether of God or any thing—strangely escaped me. I thought of it in terms of compliment, approval, or the giving of honor.… The world rings with praise—lovers praising their mistresses, readers their favorite poet, walkers praising the countryside, players praising their favorite game—praise of weather, wines, dishes, actors, motors, horses, colleges, countries, historical personages, children, flowers, mountains, rare stamps, rare beetles, even sometimes politicians or scholars. I had not noticed how the humblest, and at the same time most balanced and capacious, minds, praised most, while the cranks, misfits and malcontents praised least. . . .

I had not noticed either that just as men spontaneously praise whatever they value, so they spontaneously urge us to join them in praising it: “Isn’t she lovely? Wasn’t it glorious? Don’t you think that magnificent?” The Psalmists in telling everyone to praise God are doing what all men do when they speak of what they care about….

I think we delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation. It is not out of compliment that lovers keep on telling one another how beautiful they are; the delight is incomplete till it is expressed (93–95).

David’s complete satisfaction in God, especially in times of adversity, is expressed in praise to God.

What do you do when you experience adversity?

Do you question your circumstances?

Do you question why God has allowed adversity to come into your life?

Or do you recognize that you belong with body and soul, both in life and in death, to your faithful Savior Jesus Christ, and that he also preserves you in such a way that without the will of your heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from your head?

Do you find your satisfaction in God, especially in times of adversity?

III. The Believer’s Vindication by God (63:9-11)

And finally, let’s look at the believer’s vindication by God.

Some commentators believe that the final three verses of this Psalm were separate from the original Psalm written by David. They argue that later editors added them because they seem so discordant with David’s satisfaction in God.

But that is not the case.

David penned these words. He was running from his son Absalom, who wanted to kill him.

Listen to how David expressed it in verses 10-11, “But those who seek to destroy my life shall go down into the depths of the earth; they shall be given over to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for jackals.”

David had complete confidence that God would vindicate him.

That is why David concluded the Psalm with these words, “But the king shall rejoice in God; all who swear by him shall exult, for the mouths of liars will be stopped” (v. 11).

David would rejoice in God because God would vindicate him.

Conclusion

David teaches us about the believer’s trust in God, especially in times of adversity.