June 17, 2015.

Daily Reading: Psalm 69-71.

Background: Psalm 66-68.

Concepts and Connections.

Chapter 69

“Save me, O God!”: This psalm attributed to David is a cry of despair to the Lord when he was being afflicted by enemies that seemed to surround him at all times. The psalm itself could be split into three sections. The first 21 verses are a cry to the Lord, laying out the problem that David finds himself in. He starts out weary from crying out, asking where the Lord is and for Him to save him. Note the utter despair that is displayed within these first few verses as David pours out his heart before the Lord. As is typical of David, when he finds himself in times of trouble and affliction, he turns to the Lord for peace and deliverance. The second sections, verses 22-28, consist of David calling for the ultimate judgement of God on the peoples that afflict him, on account of their unrighteousness, for they hated him for no reason (v. 4). It is God who reserves the right to make this judgment, for His is righteous. The last section, from verse 29 and following, is a section of praise to the Lord. Notice how David still finds voice to his praise even in the midst of great affliction, even when he might not even fully feel the presence of God in the midst of his situation (v. 3). David praises God because He is good, and he has great confidence in Him that He will deliver His people. May we also have this confidence in the Lord, even when things seem to be going awry.

Chapter 70

A cry for deliverance: The words of this psalm, again attributed to David, are almost identical to those found in Psalm 40:13-17, with a few minor changes. Like several of his other psalms, David again cries out to the Lord here in a time of affliction that He might deliver him from his adversaries that surround him. He asks for the judgment of God against them that persecute him, those who delight in his hurt. Then there is a call for all those who seek the Lord to find Him and His salvation. Finally, David affirms his confidence in the Lord, asserting that He is his helper and deliverer, and asks for a quick deliverance.

Chapter 71

“Be not far from me”: This psalm is both a psalm of praise and a plea that the Lord not forsake His servant who loves Him. The psalmist has praised the Lord since his youth and continues to do so here. There is a lot that is said about the glory of God and His great works, and the psalmist asks to live to tell the next generation of the awesome deeds of the Lord. There is a recurrent plea that the Lord not cast off His servant in his old age, for he has continually praised Him throughout his life. It seems that the enemies of the psalmist are seeking his life and this psalm is a prayer to the Lord that He deliver him from the hands of his enemies, those who do not praise His name continually, as His servant does. At the end, more praise comes from the psalmist, calling on the faithfulness, righteousness and redemption of the Lord. Let us ever look to Him for strength and guidance.

Tomorrow’s Reading: Proverbs 7.

May the Lord be your strength.

-Walter