As with some of our most recent psalms, Psalm 59 was written by David during a particularly difficult time in his life. In 1 Samuel 19 David has a death sentence on his head from jealous King Saul. In verse 9 we learn that one day an evil spirit entered Saul and he threw a spear at David, trying to pin him against the wall. David evaded the spear and ran off into the night. Saul sent “agents” to watch David’s house for him to return in the morning so they could kill him. Michal, David’s wife and Saul’s daughter, warned David and told him to escape that night. So she let him down from the window and he escaped. She, meanwhile, took one of the household idols and made David’s bed up as if he were sick in it. Saul eventually found out and Michal claimed David forced her to play the ruse.
David escaped to Samuel the Prophet and apparently wrote this song:
1 – 5
It is David’s prayer for protection and deliverance. Notice in verse 2 he talks about those who “practice sin.” The more you give into the fleshly nature, the more it becomes second nature to do those things that are against the character of God.
David calls on “Lord God of Hosts” which is a military term. David is innocent here (verses 3 and 4) and he wants God to take military action against “wicked traitors.” Anyone who puts themselves against God and His purposes is a traitor.
6 – 10
David here is picturing those agents that Saul sent to kill him—like snarling dogs. They seem to have no conscience and don’t feel like anyone who matters is listening or watching them. But God is listening and watching and they will give an account. In the same way, those that attack you for loving God will also give an account to God.
So David, instead of keeping watch on the men of evil, keeps a watch out for the Lord who is his true stronghold. I like verse 10 “My faithful God will come to meet me.” It is that fellowship in times of difficulty that is so precious!
11 – 13
David doesn’t want God to just destroy these men, but wants an example made out of them not in order to boast about himself but in order to boast that God is in control and what you do and say matters!
14 – 17
David here contrasts the growling and snarling of the dogs with his singing and “joyful” proclamation of God’s “faithful love in the morning.” The night seems long and without hope, but “joy comes in the morning” for those who love Him. And for us who love God, there will always be a morning!
Psalm 60
The introduction to this psalm is the longest we’ve seen so far. The events that inspired the psalm are found in 1 Chronicles 18:3 & 12. This takes place right after God’s great promise of an everlasting kingdom—the key Messianic prophecy of David’s life. He then mounts military campaigns against those who would snuff out Israel, and the line of the Messiah.
Verse 12 in 1 Chronicles ends with “The Lord made David victorious wherever he went.”
1 – 5
Here David is pleading with God because their enemies are making them stagger like they were drunk. In other words, the attacks and fear make them very insecure and uncertain. David feels like God is not with them because these foes exist and want to wipe them off the face of the earth. He calls on God to “save” so that “those You love may be rescued.” in verse 8. The word “rescue” means “to pull off.” I picture someone who has someone else on their back—attacking them and is pleading for God to “pull them off.” Sometimes our difficulties and those who wish us harm feel like a weight or pressure on our lives too.
6 – 8
God promises to David that “I will triumph.” Then He outlines the geographic boundaries of Israel saying that the land is His to give and that He is giving it to Israel. Remember this: in God you can do all that He wants for you. God will give you the territory of ministry for His glory!
9 – 12
At the time, it seemed like God was not being victorious for Israel but David has faith that God will “trample our foes.”
Does it ever seem to you that God is not coming through with a prayer? Don’t lose heart—if you love His Son Jesus He hears and answers every one of your prayers. It may not be in your way or your timing, but it is what will bring glory to His kingdom.
To read the account in 1 Chronicles you’d think that it was just smooth sailing—that David basically “phoned in” the battles. But no, there was great anguish and concern and prayer and battling that went on. But in the end, God was victorious!
Psalm 61
Psalm 61 is just a wonderful meditation from a man who was without strength who found strength from God not only to face today but be victorious for many years to come.
1 – 4
David is feeling alone and without strength. He pleads with God to lead him to a place of security—a high place—a place where he can feel safe from those who want to bring he, and Israel harm.
Notice how he mentions “Your tent”—a reference to the Tabernacle. The idea is that in God’s presence there is always shelter. The storm may rage around you, but you are safe in the arms of God. The wings could refer to the cherubim whose wings cover the mercy seat with the glory and presence of God.
5 – 8
Essentially here David is praying that the promises God made to him—of an everlasting kingdom—will come true.
Don’t you love verse 7: “Appoint faithful love and truth to guard him.” God will delivery us according to His covenant of love.
John 1:17: “for the law was given through Moses, grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.”
Psalm 62
Psalm 62 was also written by David “according to Jeduthun” which may be another name for Ethan. 1 Chronicles 16:41, says he was one of David’s chief musicians. This may mean “according to the style of Jeduthun” – so perhaps Jeduthun had a particular musical style that David is wanting to utilize here.
The Psalm involves making a choice between trusting in human ways of getting things done, versus trusting in God’s plans. On this earth human inventions seem the right way because we can see them and control them, but are they really truly efficacious (meaning—effective)?
1 – 2
I love how this psalm starts. When faced with difficulties in life, or when we don’t feel we are getting what we want or deserve, we do not feel at rest—we want to do something—anything. But David here declares that he is at rest only in God. The word “rest” is a Hebrew word that means stillness, quietness, and trust. When the waters of our life become troubled by turmoil, anxiety, or even interpersonal attack—we tend to want to employ whatever means possible to stop it. But David declares there is only true peace and tranquility of the soul by trusting in God to save us, and protect us. “I will never be shaken” he says. “Shaken” comes from a word that means “to waiver” which is important, given what we see in the following verses. We may appear weak on the outside, but if inside we realize where our true peace comes from—we will never be overcome, no matter what we face.
3 – 4
David may have been afraid that a group of people were trying to overthrow him. He felt weak—like a wall about to go over. The people David is facing are actually proud that they can appear to be one way to David’s face, but inwardly are planning his defeat. It is one of the most difficult things we face when people seem to want the best for us, but in reality they want to harm us by gossiping about us, maligning us, or figure out a way to harm us for their gain.
This reminds me of what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 4:16-18:
Therefore we do not give up; even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. 17 For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. 18 So we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen; for what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
We can’t see God but what He does is far more important and longer lasting then the human circumstances we find ourselves in.
5 – 8
In verse 1 David declares that God provides his peace—here is commands to “rest in God alone.” How do you solve problems? Taking matters into your own hands leads us to employ human inventions (which we’ll see in verse 10), but real hope only comes from God.
Hebrews 6:19-20 We have this hope—like a sure and firm anchor of the soul—that enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain. 20 Jesus has entered there on our behalf as a forerunner,
Jesus was raised and is now unaffected by the methods of men who rebel against God. We have Him in us and the promise of God, who will come back and set everything right. It acts as an anchor—that we can trust in God’s work.
Instead of worrying and fretting and panicking, David says to “trust” which can mean to “be bold.” It takes a lot of boldness to trust in God when nothing seems to be happening. Secondly, David commands us to “pour out your hearts before Him.” The act of trusting is not passive. But the focus is not outward: what can I do, but upward: God I need you!
So next David reveals the true nature of those that oppose your faith and want to harm you—plus the methods they employ.
9 – 10
No matter how powerful, mighty, or exalted a person may appear by human standards—by God’s standards they are merely a puff of air that weighs nothing and has no real substance. David tells us that human inventions: forcing others to do what you want (“oppression”), or taking something that is not yours (“robbery”)—even if it appears on a human scale to benefit you—should not be employed or even considered. Extortion, stolen goods, or wealth will have no permanent benefit for us. They are not really “strong” at all.
11 – 12
The idea of “once” and “twice” is to show how sureness of the two truths David reveals:
“Strength belongs to God.” God’s ways of getting things done, and even protecting us, are the real deal—not our silly human inventions.
“Faithful love belongs to You.” God’s covenant love (Hebrew: “chaaced”)
God is both strong and loving. He has pure motivations for our good and can bring them about!
As for those who seem successful by human standards—and might even use their “strength” to deceitfully bring us down—we can trust in God to support us, strengthen us, and provide for our good and bring us safely to be with him—knowing that all things humans do will be remembered and they will have to answer to God for!
