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July 30, 2019
The word Sabbath means to cease. So as Dr. Brooks is away on sabbatical, we will be using his original devotionals from 2009 on the book of Psalms. He will resume The Bible Project devotionals upon his return. Thank you for reading with us and praying for him as he replenishes his soul for the next seven years of ministry.
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Psalm 56
1 Be merciful to me, my God,
for my enemies are in hot pursuit;
all day long they press their attack.
2 My adversaries pursue me all day long;
in their pride many are attacking me.
3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.
4 In God, whose word I praise—
in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can mere mortals do to me?
5 All day long they twist my words;
all their schemes are for my ruin.
6 They conspire, they lurk,
they watch my steps,
hoping to take my life.
7 Because of their wickedness do not let them escape;
in your anger, God, bring the nations down.
8 Record my misery;
list my tears on your scroll—
are they not in your record?
9 Then my enemies will turn back
when I call for help.
By this I will know that God is for me.
10 In God, whose word I praise,
in the Lord, whose word I praise—
11 in God I trust and am not afraid.
What can man do to me?
12 I am under vows to you, my God;
I will present my thank offerings to you.
13 For you have delivered me from death
and my feet from stumbling,
that I may walk before God
in the light of life.
New International Version (NIV)
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The Psalms are the hymn book of the Old Testament. It would be great to hear the way they sounded, music and all. Some years ago at Cambridge in England, James Tippit and I attended Evensong and listened as a choir sang the Psalms in succession, three or four per service. It was a beautiful way to close a day.
Still, I would love to hear David sing this song. We read the words, but it is hard to imagine what the tune might have been. Occasionally, in the little preface we read the name of a tune. The tune to Psalm 56 sounds like a country and western song. Imagine Marty Robbins singing, “A Dove on Distant Oaks.” No kidding -- that is the name of the tune. We also learn the occasion of the song, which sounds like the plot of an old western. The bad guys have captured David. We remember the Philistines as the perennial enemies of God’s people. Samson struggled with them. David dealt with them as well. Down in Gath, they captured him. In our world, as well, the bad guys sometimes win. Terrorists harm people who have never harmed them. People injure children. Others speak untruth doing devastating damage with words.
David’s song helps. Listen to the chorus of the song: “When I am afraid, I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal men do to me?” David’s enemies still skulk nearby, twisting his words, conspiring and lurking in the shadows. In this imprecatory Psalm, David asks God to get them. Tears stain the scroll as David writes. “In God whose word I praise, in the Lord, whose word I praise . . . David remembers that God is the powerful Elohim, God of the mountains and that he is Yahweh, “I am that I am.”
David is still alive as he writes, “For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling that I may walk before God, in the light of life.” No matter how dark the day dims, determine with David to walk before God. As surely as He lives, you will live in the light of his love. It seems like I heard Charlie Pride sing that one time . . .
Grace to you!
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| This year our Every Day with Jesus readings will follow The Bible Project Read Scripture Plan. Copies of this reading plan are available at Tallowood Baptist Church, or download
the app at readscripture.org. Read through the Bible with us in 2019!
Joyfully,
Duane
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