Meditations on the Psalms #119

Day 119

Psalm 54: Read here – https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm%2054&version=NASB

As there can be no height where there is no depth, so there can be no triumph where there is no trouble, no smile where there are no tears, no roses where there are no thorns, no hope where there is no fear, and no crown where there is no cross.  Note the title; twice the Ziphites (who were from David’s own tribe of Judah) betrayed him to King Saul; 1 Samuel 23:19-28 and 1 Samuel 26:1-3

This short psalm is divided into 2 parts: v1-3 The Prayer and v4-7 the answer.

This was a bad time for David when, seemingly, hunted and nowhere to turn and with few to trust. The ‘name’ represents Adonai’s nature which is the sum of His revealed attributes. ‘Power’ is one of them, and the one that David needs at this time.

Though a hunted man, David could confidently expect God’s help(v4&5a.) His present adversity had not led him to question God’s goodness, but to appeal to it. David declared that because the Zephites worked for evil, they shall have their wages.

Some are uncomfortable with prayers that ask for the doom of enemies. It’s true that Jesus told us to pray in a more generous way for our enemies (Matthew 5:43-44). Yet there is nothing wrong with the basic principle of wanting to see good triumph and for God to do His work against wrong.

Praising God before the prayer is answered, on the basis of His past faithfulness and goodness, is a good example for us (v6-7). This is the language of faith; this is the triumph of trust. When deliverance came, it was remarkable. After the Ziphites betrayed David, Saul came very close to capturing him. When David was almost in Saul’s grasp, the king learned of a Philistine invasion and had to break off his pursuit.

Jesus was the anointed King yet to come into the fullness of His kingdom. He came to rescue and lead God’s people, and when He did, some among them betrayed Him unto death. We can easily see the lines of v7 in the mouth of Jesus, praying to His Father.

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