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Spiritually Speaking => Pastor Al Moak's Study => Manna For The Soul => Songs of Worship & Psalm 119~Psalms Studies => Topic started by: Al Moak on April 28, 2003, 02:18:22 PM

Title: Psalm 54
Post by: Al Moak on April 28, 2003, 02:18:22 PM
Psalm 54

This psalm is a complaint about being maliciously "used" by supposed friends.  But in ultimately sharp contrast the psalm also boasts about a wonderful God, a God Who isn't merely "afar off up there in heaven," but Whose hand deals with real affairs down here on earth as well, a God Who really cares and really acts in response to His people's prayers.

These are things every Israelite could easily relate to each day as he went out into an unfriendly world.  It was good for him to hear and repeat the words of this song.  It's good for us too.

David had gone to the Ziphites, thinking that these supposed "friends" would provide him refuge from Saul's persecutions.  He thought he could "lie low" there for a little while until he "caught his breath," so to speak.  But the Ziphites saw an opportunity to get favors from king Saul – maybe something like a little more tax money for their district.  So they went and told Saul that David was hiding out among them.

Obviously the Ziphites hadn't even considered the fact that God's plan was to set David upon Israel's throne and that He would therefore deliver David and at the same time make things go very, very badly for anyone who betrayed him.  After David's triumph, the temple worshippers sang, "And oppressors have sought after my life; they have not set God before them."  It's a common problem in the world: men concoct schemes without any consideration at all of the unseen Overseer of all such schemes. 

But David, later on, remembers this episode, so he leads the people to sing, "Behold, God is my Helper; the Lord is with those who uphold my life.  He will repay my enemies for their evil!"  He used the word "behold" because this song was written after the fact - people could see that God had indeed been David's helper!

Because of a very great deliverance in this case, David could conclude his song on a very joyful note.  He sang, "I will freely sacrifice to You; I will praise Your Name, O Lord, for it is good. For He has delivered me out of all trouble; and my eye has seen its desire upon my enemies!"

Later on, when worshippers sang this song to start their day, it would renew their trust in a trustworthy God Who was always concerned.  They could leave this time of worship with confidence that it didn't matter what man did to them that day, because God's plan for them would always be fulfilled!

Does He have a plan for you?  If you trust Him today, if you love Him and desire to serve Him today, then He DOES have such a plan!  And NO scheme of man can overthrow that plan!