“But I will give repeated thanks to the LORD, praising him to everyone.
For he stands beside the needy, ready to save them from those who condemn them.”
Jesus is the advocate who defends us and is ready to save us from our accusers.
“My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous.”
David’s Psalm is heartbreaking. It tells us a story of a family and a people that are torn apart with hate and cursing. Could this Psalm be the response of David to his son Absolam’s schemes and coup or is this a Psalm about Saul’s murderous betrayal that set David on the run for years? Whatever it was, we see David finds comfort in God. And we learn generations later that the God who defends the weak is Jesus.
David and Jesus both emphasise the importance of defending and helping the needy. This is the heart of our God and so much so that Jesus tells us that when we see the person down on their luck we need to see them as Jesus himself (Matthew 25:40-45). And this is a theme God gives to David and Solomon.
“If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD— and he will repay you!”
“Those who oppress the poor insult their Maker, but helping the poor honors him.”
“Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you.”
Main Point: It is godly to defend the needy.
What does David tell us about the character of Jesus in Psalm 109 that will help us see why Jesus cares about helping the accused and needy?
David tells us right away as many of the Psalms do that God is praiseworthy.
“O God, whom I praise,” v1
David expects that the Lord will punish his accusers; David is confident that the Lord defends Him.
“the Lord’s punishment for my accusers” v20
David appeals to God's concern for His own reputation for being faithful and good.
“But deal well with me, O Sovereign LORD, for the sake of your own reputation! Rescue me because you are so faithful and good.”
David falls on his knowledge of God’s love for him and says that since God loves him, God should show it so that everyone who attacks, curses and mocks him will see that God is for Him.
Isn’t this what we read in the New Testament too?
“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?”
As with most teaching in the Bible, we are enabled to do something supernatural because that is what God has done for us and we recognise Him and His work.
“Then let them curse me if they like, but you will bless me! When they attack me, they will be disgraced! But I, your servant, will go right on rejoicing!”
Conclusion: Persecution, curses and accusers are all part of the journey for a follower of Jesus, but we know Jesus loves us, He has also faced this, and He defends us. So when we defend the needy and bless our accusers we are being godly. We are being like God.
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| Handwritten Psalm 109 |
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