Psalm 63
Today’s header is certainly related to other sections of Scripture, but it is difficult to pinpoint any actual chapter/verses since David spent a good deal of time running from Saul and Absalom, much of that in the Wilderness of Judah. Two of my study bibles list the following sections: I Samuel 23:13-29 for David’s flight from Saul and II Samuel 15:23-28; 16:2,14; 17:16,29 for his running from Absalom.
What struck me in today’s reading was that only three verses spoke of David’s enemies (vv. 9-10, 11b). The rest of the Psalm was about David’s relationship with his Lord as in …my mouth will praise You with joyful lips, when I remember You upon my bed, and meditate on You in the watches of the night… (vv. 5b-6). That’s especially meaningful today, in that we just spent the past week at Creative Arts Camp teaching and singing about praise. David models that for us today!
Thanks Fred. That passage you quoted is my favorite. There have been nights when I have been awake, filled with baseless anxiety and fear. For several months after Jimmy died, I feared every noise I heard during the night. These noises have been here all along but I had never paid attention to them. I relied on this passage to guide me to God. I talked to Him and gave my fear and imaginations over to Him. I can imagine how David heard sounds while hiding in the cave, fearing for his life. He trusted in God to protect Him and bring him out of terror. David’s fears were real. He was fearing for His life. My fears were not real, I was not in any danger, other than sometimes having a cat pounce on me. Either way, God answers our pleas. He doesn’t judge us or belittle us for our fears, but hears our cries and consoles us. That’s how much He loves us.
So true, Courtenay! This psalm is such a comforting one which we can use as a prayer of our hearts, one that both longs for more of God and expresses joy and contentment in his presence. It is one I am trying to memorize!