Psalm 59
Psalm 59 begins is written after David begins hiding from Saul. Prior to the Psalm, David was given victory over the Philistines, which lead them to flee. David was playing the lyre for King Saul, when Saul tried to kill David with a sphere. David was able to get away from Saul, and escape. When David went home his wife hid him, from Saul’s men who came looking for David. They were instructed to find David, and to bring him to Saul to be killed (1 Samuel 19).
Psalm 59 is a “Miktam” or “Michtan” The definition of Miktam is not given, but believed to be special, perhaps musical instruction, or specifying the Psalm as worthy of engraving. There are 6 in the Bible.
David directly asks the Lord to deliver him from his enemies. David makes plain that it is not his actions that are causing the problems. David is responding to the attacks of his enemies, but he is not seeking out trouble. Although the enemy was physically looking for David, asked that they would fall to their own words. As the Psalm draws to a close, David begins to plan his Praise for God giving him victory over his enemies. He is confident that God will hear him, and avenge him according to the Lord’s righteousness.
The same God that heard David, and delivered David is willing to deal with our enemies as well. They are our enemies because they are driven by a spirit that does not align with the will of God. We know that we can petition God to aid us, because he is our fortress. We can and should plan to rejoice in his faithfulness.
Psalm 60
Psalm 60 is the last of the 6 Miktams (Psalm 16,Psalm 56, Psalm 57, Psalm 58, Psalm 59, 60). The Miktams have similarities amongst them, but what stands out to me is that they address fear, and also address trusting God as a solution.
Psalm 60 the people are saying that they feel rejected by God.They were defeated in battle, to the point where the nation was discouraged. In Psalm 60:4 David calls to reference that God has plans to protect. “You have set up a banner for those who fear you, that they may flee to it from the bow. That your beloved ones may be delivered, give salvation by your right hand, and answer us!”
I can imagine the seriousness, intensity, and urgency of this portion of the Psalm. The request for military salvation was made. The people were worried about their enemies. Then, they asked that according to the Lord’s promises they be saved. Not saved for themselves, but because Israel exists to bring blessing to the Gentiles. By the Hand of the Lord delivering them, others may see and be saved. The same is true of us, today. We can call on the Lord, according to His promises, and petition the Lord according to what He has said. When the Lord delivers us he does so, because He wants to demonstrate his faithfulness. He also does this because his purposes for you and his Kingdom involve your relationship with Him to be tight.
Psalm 61
The Psalm has directions for the choirmaster, which leads me to believe this can be community worship song, as well as an individual petition.
This Psalm continues the theme of asking God for help in times of trouble, and also offering praise. David continues to ask the Lord to lead him, and to hear him.
Psalm 61:3 David acknowledges that God has been his refuge, and a “strong tower” against his enemy.
“David goes on to say that he wants to dwell in the Lord’s tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings!”
I don’t think I noticed the exclamation points, before I started writing this... But David was really expressive. David was serious about wanting to be in God’s protection for therest of his life. David had witnessed many different types of danger. He has accomplished killing Goliath with the sling shot, wars, etc.( and was still going through wars).
However, David understood that all of his victory belonged to the Lord. All of his favor in war, would have to always come from the Lord. Therefore, he longed to be close to the Lord because God faithfully brought David through everything. David had a very real relationship with God where he was able to express fear, trust, excitement, and so much more. David continues to praise the Lord, and he planned on praising the Lord to the point that he vowed to praise the Lord.
Psalm 62
Psalm 62 is another Psalm with instructions to the choirmaster.
It begins “For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation. He alone is my rock and my salvation, my fortress, I shall not be greatly shaken.” Read that twice, and by the end it’ll be thrice.
If this is what the church was singing, then wow! The proclamation that He alone is all we need is amazingly true. It gives a real revelation, that there is nothing inside of creation that does not come from God.
Psalm 62:3-4 discusses that people keep attacking through their words and injustice. Something we see has clearly been going on since very early on. Lies and dissension are not new to our time period.
Psalm 62:5-7 Bring us to thrice, where we see David again proclaiming that his soul waits in silence for the Lord. Waiting in silence, meaning there is nothing to say or do except wait for the Holy Spirit to come when and how it desires to. It’s being a blank file, and allowing the Lord to download what he wants into your soul.
Psalm 62:8 We are again reminded to trust in the Lord at all times. We are instructed to trust to the degree that we are pouring out our hearts to him, giving him every concern, fear, thought, etc.
Psalm 62:9 says not to trust in extortion or the schemes of man. There is nothing to trust outside of God. Even well-meaning humans cannot save you. Only the Lord. The Psalm explains that power belongs to the Lord, and because of his Love, David again proclaims that, “my lips will praise you.”
We see that David knows the goodness of God, and because of this David continues to plan different ways that he will give glory to the Lord.
Psalm 63
This Psalm is from David when he was in the wilderness (likely fleeing from Saul).
Psalm 63:1-3 is about David missing God. He talks about his soul longing for the Lord; this does not seem like a small emotion. To write this leads me to believe, David’s soul was missing God the way you miss someone and your heart aches. God was always with David, but David was not able to go to the sanctuary at this time. David described his thirst for the Lord as “a dry and weary land where there is no water.” At this time, David was not able to fellowship with others and had to seek the Lord independently. As someone who loved to worship, and played an instrument, I imagine this was another hardship for David.
In Psalm 63:4, David continues to bless the Lord and to plan ways of worship.
In Psalm 63:5-7, David acknowledges that the Lord has been his help. David again talks about the security he knows only from the Lord. David knows that the Lord’s hand is on him, and he can be confident in this fact.
In Psalm 63 8-11, David remarks that those who persecute him will be dealt with by the Lord. This is a fact, because David’s heart is to live for the Lord. David is aware that anyone coming against the Living God will not be successful. This is not a spiteful taunt, but the truth. Those who are aligned with the righteous king will also reap the benefits of their obedience to the Lord, individually and as a nation. David is confident that the mouths of liars will be stopped.
Psalm 64
In Psalm 64:1-6, David makes specific requests to the Lord. David asks to be heard, his life to be preserved, and to be hidden. David had real concerns and petitioned the Lord directly on these matters.
Then the verses discuss how the words of others have caused damage to innocent people. This was not a bad joke that offended someone, but intentional hearts being driven by bitterness and evil. To use your words to cause harm to others, whether through lying, manipulating, unkindness, etc., will not go unseen by the Lord.
In Psalm 64:7-10, David knows that the Lord will also deal with the enemies who use words as their weapons. They will become entrapped by their own words, as they intended for others. David is confident that the Lord will deal with each evildoer accordingly. David ends the psalm encouraging righteous people to rejoice in the Lord and to take refuge in Him.
We again see that yes: Although there are different persecutions you may experience, you can and should rejoice because of who your God is.
