Psalms 58-59: Responding to enemies

Lessons from David- Psalms 58-59

Hate their behaviour, don't imitate it
David's rants against unjust men, and calls for God to punish them, may seem unpalatable to modern taste, but at least he does not descend to act like them. In so many films and books, heroes repond to their enemies by treating them in exactly the same way. We are not to be enticed to become like them.

Leave it to God to judge them
David is calling on God to act, not for God to authorise his own vigilante campaign. He recognises that it is God's place to deliver and punish others.

Keep trusting in God and praising Him
'O my Strength, I watch for You;
You, O God, are my fortress, my loving God'. (9)

'But I will sing of Your strength in the morning I will sing of Your love; for You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.' (16)

David keeps praising God- he doesn't just moan about his enemies all the time! We too need that perspective.

Psalms 20-21: Trusting in God

Lessons from David- Psalms 20-21

These two psalms hold similar messages- we as humans need to recognise our limitations and trust in God completely. He will answer us and help us (1), and as David prays 'May He give you the desire of your heart' in Ps 20, he testifies in Ps 21 that God has done this (2).

The Lord saves His anointed (6), so instead of trusting in chariots and horses, we need to trust in the Lord (7).

Then we will be able to praise God more, as we see His glory more clearly. David spends most of Ps 21 thanking God for granting his requests (4-5)- but more than this, for giving him 'eternal blessings' and the 'joy of His presence' (6). This is the best of all.

Ultimately, David knows that his stability as a king depends not on his own strength but on God's grace (7). And David has the wisdom to look forward to the time when God will return to judge the wicked (8-12). God will be exalted in this as much as in saving the faithful.

Psalms 13-14: Dealing with depression

Lessons from David- Psalms 13-14

The Psalms cover every aspect of human experience, and Ps 13 focusses on times of depression and despair. It would be unrealistic of us as Christians to be surprised when we encounter these emotions. The Bible never promises that life will be easy. We could be going through tough times- we could even be medically diagnosed with depression as an illness. It is very hard to stay joyful when the chemicals in your brain aren't allowing you to get out of the trough of despair.

But God is faithful through good times and bad. As a Christian, the important thing is to follow David's example and keep trusting in God's 'unfailing love' and rejoicing in His salvation. This doesn't necessarily mean being happy, but it means that you can be assured that God has done everything to solve your biggest problem: separation from Him because of sin.

Ps 14 particularly cuts to the heart of the human condition. 'All have turned aside, they have together become corrupt; there is no-one who does good, not even one.'

But God has planned for salvation and made provision for it in the cross of Jesus Christ- that is the thing we can always reflect on to make us glad.

Psalm 16: The joy of knowing God

Lessons from David- Psalm 16

'apart from You I have no good thing' (2)

David here shows a single-minded devotion to God, treasuring Him above all else and recognising Him as the source of all goodness.

Next to God, David delights in the saints (3) as the people of God. Christians have an unshakable bond with other believers, because we all share the same secure lot and delightful inheritance in heaven (5-6). We have all come to realise that there is nothing but sorrow in pursuing other gods (4). How much do we cultivate deep relationships with people at church, regardless of their age, job or background?

David praises God and sets Him before himself (7-8). His heart is glad and he is secure (9), because of the hope of resurrection (10). How much more (post-Jesus) can we rejoice in this hope!

'You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in Your presence, with eternal pleasures at Your right hand.' (11)