Psalm 54
The background to this Psalm is found in 1 Samuel 23:19-20 .
David’s life is filled with problems from his childhood through to his death. Can you recount the challenges that David faced in his life? David saw great triumphs, but these did not lead to the peace, prosperity, relative ease and rest that you might imagine. David had those moments in his life, but more often than not, we read of enemies attacking him: from wild animals, to brothers, to mighty warriors, to the king, to foreign armies, to his own sons and on it goes. According to the notes above Psalm 54 and 63, we read David’s prayer to God. And according to the more historical book of first and second Samuel, we read of the events leading up to the prayers and the events following the prayers.
David was delivered in a fashion. He still was a fugitive, he still was not yet recognised as King, Saul and the Ziphites were still living and not conquered or destroyed. David escaped, and you could see that it was God who in the nick of time sent a Philistine attack on Saul in another quarter and so he had to leave off the hunt for David--only to pick it up again in the next chapter where David nobly refuses to take Saul’s life, even though you could argue God had delivered Saul up on a silver platter.
What am I trying to say? If we see these prayers in the Psalms in the context of David’s experience and reactions in life, the reality is a bit different from the conversation David is having with God.
MAIN POINT: Ask God what you want but be prepared to receive what God gives.
The reality of your situation has not escaped God’s attention.
You are encouraged to plead with God. Ask what you want and tell God how you feel about what you are facing.
In recognising his enemy, David is establishing that, unlike his enemy, he cares for God.
They care nothing for God. v.3
This contrast precedes the interlude/pause/selah/meditation.
Do I trust God?
Am I different from my enemies?
The interlude/pause/selah/meditation produces faith.
It is as if David has come to a conclusion: I have enemies, I am in trouble, my enemies are not acting as if they are godless and ruthless.
But I want to do what God wants me to do, I want God’s help, I want to be rescued by God.
So I will trust God. I will trust God in spite of my circumstances. v.4
David remembers God’s promise. v.5
“Do as you promised and put an end to them.” v.5
“But God says to the wicked:...I will tear you apart, and no one will help you.” Psalm 50:16&22
“But God will strike you down once and for all. He will pull you from your home and uproot you from the land of the living.” Psalm 52:5
David remembers What God has done and in faith trusts that God will do it again. So even before He gets the answer he is confident of the outcome.
“For you have rescued me from my troubles and helped me to triumph over my enemies.” v.7
Conclusion:
Prayers in faith and praise for answers are based on the promise and character of God, not on the present circumstances. So pour your heart out to God and meditate on His promise and character. Be aware of your commitment to obey His word. Then praise God in faith for what He will do in His timing.
For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time the Ziphites came and said to Saul, “We know where David is hiding.” To be accompanied by stringed instruments. (1 Samuel 23:19-20 )
1 Come with great power, O God, and rescue me! Defend me with your might.
2 Listen to my prayer, O God. Pay attention to my plea.
3 For strangers are attacking me; violent people are trying to kill me. They care nothing for God. Interlude
4 But God is my helper. The Lord keeps me alive!
5 May the evil plans of my enemies be turned against them. Do as you promised and put an end to them.
6 I will sacrifice a voluntary offering to you; I will praise your name, O LORD, for it is good.
7 For you have rescued me from my troubles and helped me to triumph over my enemies.
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| Handwritten Psalm 54 |
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