Enter another one of David's angry psalms. This time, it's over a shepherd named Doeg who sold out his position to King Saul. Thus, he is an evildoer who loves evil and hates all things good. Indeed, Doeg made some bad choices in life, culminating after this betrayal in the execution of several priests (1 Samuel 22). What we don't get in this psalm, however, is David's remorse (found at the end of 1 Samuel 22). He regrets that he put all those priests in danger by hiding with them from the king. Indeed, this psalm only relates his anger at Doeg.
What a human tale! How often does our self-anger turn outward? It is a very human reaction to pain to deny our own responsibility and to place the blame solely on another. As the blame takes root in our hearts, it leaves our hearts unable to see our own part in our life situations. David's only recourse is to turn back to God. First, he rests on his own actions "I am like..." or "I trust..." but these self-descriptions will not suffice. Truly, the only way to acknowledge God is to acknowledge God's actions- "I will praise you for what you have done." It is my hope that we turn to God and root ourselves in God's faithfulness.
Good morning!!!! Listened to the passage 3 times this morning thru BibleGateway.com and without the historical background, came away with an entirely different impression:
ReplyDeleteWe or anyone, when focused on riches and/or our own evil desires, will be uprooted from the land of the living forever, BUT... if "I trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever. I will give Thee thanks forever, because Thou hast done it, and I will wait on Thy name, for it is good, in the presence of Thy godly ones." Sounds like a pretty good forever deal, instead of being uprooted from the land of the living. In awe of His lovingkindness both now and hopefully forever!!!