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Psalm 35 is easily recognized as a cry for justice by David. David was being attacked by the very ones for whom he had mourned, by those he had loved, and by those for whom he had prayed. He feels betrayed and mocked and recognizes that he needs the Lord to come to his defense. 

Importantly, verses 7 and 19 tell us that David had done nothing to deserve the treatment he was receiving. His enemies’ aggression was “without cause.” That’s why in verse 8 he asks God to let destruction fall on them. Make no mistake, David wanted absolute and complete destruction. Verse 5 and 6 tell us that David even calls upon the angel of the Lord to chase and pursue his enemies. This was the same angel that destroyed 185,000 Assyrians in one night (2 Kings 19:35), so David is asking that the angel of the Lord persecute his enemies. In fact, the Hebrew word for “destruction” that is used twice in verse 8 is shoah. Shoah is the word modern day Jews use to describe the tragedy of the Holocaust. What David is asking for is comparable to what we would understand to have happened during World War II at the hand of Hitler. 

While that might feel uncomfortable and overly vindictive for someone who is a man after God’s own heart, we have to put ourselves in his shoes. David was experiencing heartfelt sorrow because the people he had loved and served were seeking his disgrace, his shame, and his ruin. Not only that, they were willing to lie, cheat, and kill to make it happen. It was complete and utter betrayal by those he loved, but do not be confused. David did not seek personal vengeance. Instead, he asks God to be his defender. David did not go on the offensive. He trusted the One who had fought his battles before to protect him from his enemies in the very way that they sought to destroy him.

Two important ideas stand out in this psalm so far: First, David is nothing if not honest in his prayers, and second, he trusts God to be his defender in all situations. When we are unjustly accused, do we trust God like David does or do we lash out quickly with a detailed defense of our actions? Over and over in the Psalms, David models the type of faith we should have: honest, authentic, and unwavering. Even when faced with immediate, physical threat, David trusts that the Lord will come to his aid. So much so that he ends his cry for justice with a praise on his lips (verse 28). 

David knew that while he only saw the battle, God saw the victory. May we have faith like David’s that speaks openly and honestly with our Creator and that trusts Him completely to take care of our needs. 

The historical context for Psalm 34 comes from 1 Samuel 21-22. At this point, David was literally fearing for his life, living on the run from King Saul. David sought refuge from the Philistines, but when they began to realize who he was, he feared for his life again and pretended to be insane to protect himself. The Message version of 1 Samuel 21:13 says, “When David realized that he had been recognized, he panicked, fearing the worst from Achish, king of Gath. So right there, while they were looking at him, he pretended to go crazy, pounding his head on the city gate and foaming at the mouth, spit dripping from his beard.” David then escaped to a cave where (the sub-heading tells us) he likely wrote this Psalm. 

It’s important for us to realize that when David wrote this Psalm boasting of the goodness of God, he had not been delivered from danger⏤he was in the midst of it! We can learn from the behavior David models that we should stop and worship God when we are in the middle of ongoing uncertainty. We can safely assume that David is afraid, more than likely panicked, and has quite a long list of things to worry about. Yet, he begins this Psalm with the utmost adoration for the majesty and deliverance of the Lord.

In addition, David is inviting friends, family, and readers (us!) to not just take his word for the refuge that is found in God. He wants us to actively experience God’s refuge and know it for ourselves. Verse 8 says, “Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!” 

As a result of Covid-19, many people have experienced losing their taste. Anyone who has had this unfortunate experience knows that it significantly impacts their enjoyment of food. You can look at a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie, but if you can’t taste all of the delicious flavors when you chew it up, you can’t fully enjoy it. In much the same way, David is encouraging us to not just know about God, but to truly taste and see Him⏤to digest His word, His provision, and His protection.

David was actively seeking the Lord in the midst of danger. We should learn from his experience that taking refuge in God’s presence in the midst of danger is far better enjoying comfort or safety apart from God. No matter what storms await us tomorrow, may we proclaim today, as David does in verse 3, “Oh, magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together!”

After imploring the righteous to participate in their fitting worship and calling to remembrance the God who created the world with His breath, the psalmist centers on God’s counsel. He writes, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen for his heritage.” This verse may elicit a range of initial emotions depending on the reader. We could feel pride in thinking we are the nation whose God is the LORD. We may feel sorrow or a longing to be a part of such a nation. Or our initial reaction could be jealousy or anger. Wherever we find ourselves, God has good news for us. 

God chose to reveal His character to the world through His relationship with the nation of Israel, Abraham’s descendants. He chose them not because they were mighty or great in number but because He loved them and because of His oath made to Abraham to bless him and make him a great nation (Deuteronomy 7:7-8, Genesis 12:2-3). He chose them to be the vehicle through which the world would come to know of His steadfast love. Israel is God’s chosen nation, and through the work of Jesus Christ, we have been grafted into the promises and the family (Romans 11:17-21). Peter writes to a mixed audience in 1 Peter 2:9. He states, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” So, if we have put our faith in Jesus Christ, we are the nation whose God is the LORD, regardless of our physical location or any worldly documentation. In Christ, we are God’s chosen inheritance. Ephesians 1:18 describes those bought by the blood of Jesus as His “glorious inheritance!” As His chosen people, we have a call to represent Him to the world around us. The earth is full of His steadfast love, and we get to share the name of that love, Jesus Christ. 

Throughout Scripture, we see that being chosen and giving praise go hand in hand. As soon as we cease praising, we lose sight of our source of joy, strength, wisdom, and hope. We start looking to created things to fill the void in our hearts that only the Creator truly can. Psalm 33:15 reminds us that God fashions the heart of man. He not only knows what we need, but He is what we need. It doesn’t make sense for the people of God to grumble about the fallen condition of the world. What “befits” the people of God are hearts that continue to compose new songs of the wondrous works of the LORD in and around us, even as we hope in Him.

“I’m fine. It’s fine. Everything’s fine.” This is a common refrain these days. Is it because everything truly is fine; we have no worries, no problems, no regrets? Hmmmm…don’t think so! Our community is divided by politics, perspective, and purpose – not fine. Our bodies are burdened by ailments, disease, and exhaustion – not fine. Our minds are bombarded with conflicting information, false truths, and tempting escapes – not fine. Our hearts are heavy with fear, failure, and isolation – not fine.

Then, why do we claim a constant state of “fine?” Why do we hold the pain inside ourselves and proceed in the path of pointless perseverance? What is the alternative?

David offers the alternative in Psalm 32. Many theologians believe David wrote this Psalm in response to his betrayal with Bathsheba, in recognition of his sin. Verse 3-4 states, “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.” When David held the truth of his actions and the pain of sin inside himself, he was not fine! He was unable to function, spending his time constantly frustrated with emotional/mental/spiritual aching. He was physically drained from the guilt and shame. But then, in verse 5, we see the alternative to false “fineness.” David proclaims, “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.’ And you forgave the guilt of my sin.”

Words hold power.  What we hold on to, holds on to us!  When we keep our pain, our fear, and our sin inside us, those are the things that consume us. They are too big, too terrible, too shameful to share, so we simply say, “I’m fine. It’s fine. Everything’s fine.” But, instead, we can acknowledge our sin and stop covering up our shortcomings. When we admit our pain, our fear, and our sin, the Holy Spirit’s power takes hold of us and ushers us back into the hope, love, and forgiveness of God.

Like we’ve read in previous Psalms of David, he begins with a prayer request for deliverance (again) and ends with praise for God’s goodness and faithfulness (again). He starts with a plea for rescue and ends with confidence in God’s character. From plea to praise seems to be David’s anthem cry. 

It feels a bit like riding a roller coaster of emotion. One high moment of trust and confidence. One low moment of despair and fear. Yet, God never turns His back on those who ask hard and honest questions. He never turns away from the emotionally unsettled or the ones who in one minute trust and the next minute despair. We simply will never find a story in the Bible that contradicts the character and nature of God being a good Father, a good Shepherd—patient with those who repeat the same prayer request…again. And again. 

It’s not a sin to doubt. Disbelief is a sin. Earnestly and honestly seeking answers and desiring more faith to trust God’s goodness and faithfulness is acceptable to God. We see that wrestle in the lives of Moses, Abraham, and David. They all struggled at times to understand God; yet, their lives modeled total dependence and trust in a God who sustains and holds all things together simply by His powerful word (Heb. 1:3). 

And, so, David appeals to God for deliverance…again. David’s transparency is a good model for us. Note the language he uses to describe how he feels in verses 9-13: consumed with grief, strength is failing, ridiculed, forgotten (not only by enemies, but also by friends). Note that he tells God how he feels, even though he already acknowledged his trust and reliability in God. It’s important for us to remember this truth: Feelings are real, but they are not reliable.

There is no safer shelter than living under the Lord’s covering and care. In spite of all his pain and trouble, David trusts God. He committed and submitted his entire life into God’s hand, into God’s care. And, David anticipated deliverance and protection because of God’s character and goodness, not his own. 

David closes his psalm by encouraging fellow worshippers (that includes us) to love God, be strong and courageous, and put our trust and hope in Him. When trouble and trials come (and they will), where will you place your trust?

In Isaiah 55:8-9, the Prophet Isaiah writes, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, 

neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” The ways of the Lord are completely different from our ways. He operates in ways our brains can’t fathom.

We see this with great clarity in Psalm 30:5. David says the Lord’s anger lasts only a moment, but His favor lasts a lifetime. We tend to operate in opposite ways. Our joy/compassion/empathy (fill in the blank with your emotion of choice) lasts for a moment, but our anger tends to linger on. When one of our kids does something great, we celebrate for a minute and then focus on the ways they fall short. We rejoice in the five compliments we get from our boss for a few moments, and then focus on the one critique. We forget the ways our Life Group members showed kindness, and instead dwell on all the ways they annoy us.

David writes as one who knows what it’s like to evoke the anger of the Lord. Even though he was a man after God’s own heart, the Lord is well-acquainted with all of his shortcomings. David was unfaithful, murdered an innocent man, passively led his family at times, and much more. Yet David can say with integrity that the ongoing favor of the Lord is much greater than His momentary anger.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we want to be the same way. We need to believe this Truth and live it out. Today, pray that God would help you believe Psalm 30:5, that the Lord is not angry with you, but shows you favor, not because of anything you have done, but because of the finished work of the Son. And then see how you can apply this principle in the way you love and lead others—momentary anger, ongoing joy.

Psalm 29 finds David reflecting on the power of God as he observes a storm. He describes God’s voice and His power over the floods, the thunder, the lightning, the wind, and even over the destruction that the storm leaves in its path. God’s power is seen all around him, leaving David awe-struck by God.

You’ve probably felt like David during a storm yourself. As long as we are well protected from their wrath, storms often produce awe in us. There is something humbling that happens when we are reminded we are not in control. When we realize that no matter what we say or do, the tornado could head our direction or the hurricane could sweep over our house. No matter how much money we have, no matter our status in life, no matter how influential or significant we may be, storms come for us all. And we are all powerless against them; the lightning and the thunder do not respond to our voice.

But, they do respond to Someone’s. Mark 4 tells us that in the middle of a terrifying storm, Jesus rebuked the wind and said to the waves “Quiet! Be still!” The wind immediately died down and the waves grew calm. His disciples, full of awe, said “Who is this? Even the wind and waves obey Him!” The reason Jesus had power over the storm is because the wind and waves recognized His Voice. Afterall, it had been His Voice speaking to them, giving them their power since the beginning of time. 

God is in control of the storm because He created the storm. We may be powerless, but God is not. May this Psalm serve as a reminder to us that it’s ok not to be in control, because we know the One who is and we can trust Him. Like David, when we witness storms in our lives, both literally and figuratively, may we declare God’s power when we feel most powerless. Let our first response be worship and let praise direct our thoughts as we walk forward in faith.

Did you notice the change in tone between the two sections of this chapter? It almost feels like this chapter is missing some verses! In the first half of Psalm 28, David is desperate for the Lord to act. Then in the last four verses, David is declaring the praises of his God. What is interesting about this, is that it seems like nothing has changed! While David’s tone moves dramatically from verse 5 to 6, it doesn’t appear that his situation has been fixed. We don’t read about how God destroyed David’s enemies or even spoke directly to David. All we read is that David went from distraught to delight.

While we can’t know for sure, it appears that the only thing that changed David was time in God’s presence. When he was talking with God, he began to feel joy, protection, and salvation. The simple act of being with his Heavenly Father shifted his mood. 

Most of us have a laundry list of things we’d like to change about our life: our kids, our income, our looks, our relationships. But if we got all that we wanted, it wouldn’t fix what we really need. We don’t need a better situation in order to feel more joy, we need to spend more time with our Savior. When we authentically encounter His presence, the Holy Spirit will often work in ways we can’t really describe. Our mood will change even when our situation doesn’t. So spend time with the Lord throughout your day and ask him to switch your frame of mind. Then watch him do exactly what he did for David in between verses 5 to 6. He delights in turning your pressure into praise, your jealousy into joy, and your doubt into dependence.

Psalm 27 is marked by one word: confidence. This psalm, like many penned by David thus far, was written in a season of trouble. As we read it, it’s easy to empathize with that feeling David has—the world is caving in all around him. He experienced high highs and low lows and this is yet another chapter in David’s rollercoaster life. While this psalm has a lament in the middle, it begins and ends with the utmost confidence that the Lord is in control and that He is good. His faith is confident. He knew where his hope should be found. 

Lament is common throughout the psalms, but this one reads differently. Instead of wallowing in his circumstances, David is asking God to help him stay focused. He asks for help keeping his gaze on the beauty of the Lord. He asks that God will keep him safe and be merciful towards him. Then towards the end, he asks that God will teach him His ways and lead him down a straight path. This feels relatable to us. Sometimes when life feels chaotic, our prayer should default to “God, please help me stay focused on what really matters” instead of “God, get me out of this (and the quicker the better).” 

Reading this psalm as Christ followers brings to mind the words that the Apostle Paul wrote in Romans 8:31-39. In that passage, Paul recounts several reasons for believers to be confident in God. He reminds his readers that God is for us, that He is gracious, that Christ Jesus is interceding for us, and that nothing (yes, nothing) can separate us from the love of God. Paul’s life had been radically transformed by the Gospel. He understood the weight of his sin and the undeserved gift of grace. He had experienced some of those same highs and lows that David had. He knew where his hope should be found, too. 

The story of Scripture, from start to finish, shows us time and time again that our hope isn’t found in the things of this world, but instead in God alone. This psalm serves as a reminder that we can remain confident that we, too, will see the goodness of the Lord.