A number of David’s psalms are written about one of the
several particular trying times in his life:
he is in great distress, his friends and sometimes his health has left
him, and he is at the point of despair unto death. But in the midst of his travails, he
considers God. He remembers God’s love
and faithfulness to him in the past, and he has faith – he KNOWS, beyond any
doubt – that God will redeem him.
Psalm 31 is one such psalm.
Verses 9 – 13 graphically describe the worst of times. Such words as distress ... sorrow … anguish …
affliction … and terror appear. But
David trusts in God. “You are my
God. My times are in your hands,” he
says in vv. 14-15. These words are not
spoken as though he has given up hope, but rather as though God is by his side
right then, protecting him and delivering him from his enemies. You can almost see David standing behind God,
watching as his enemies are routed. You
can almost hear David shouting with joy in vv. 17-18, now triumphant over the
forces of evil. Then in vv. 19-22 he
praises God for His goodness, for the protection He provides simply by His
presence for all who take refuge in Him.
He keeps us safe from both evil deeds and evil words.
The last two verses are addressed to us: “Love the LORD … (He) preserves the
faithful. Be strong and take heart, all
you who hope in the LORD.” Here and throughout the psalm, the name
translated as LORD is
YHWH – “I AM” -- the One Who protects us by His presence.
- Bill White
No comments:
Post a Comment