Today's Reading:

Psalm 26
Psalm 40
Psalm 41
Psalm 58
Psalm 61
Psalm 62
Psalm 64

In Psalm 40, David rejoiced that God lifted him from the pit and put a new song in his mouth. This points to the Messiah. “Behold, I have come; in the scroll of the book it is written of me: I delight to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart” (Psalm 40:6-8). Jesus was the perfect lamb, not as an animal sacrifice, but as His own body, fully obedient to the Father’s will.

In Psalm 41, there was obedience and the deep pain of betrayal. “Even my close friend in whom I trusted, who ate my bread, has lifted his heel against me” (Psalm 41:9). Jesus quoted this at the Last Supper (John 13:18). There is such grace in the fact that Jesus knew He would be betrayed by one of His own close friends, like David was betrayed by Ahithophel. Yet Jesus still washed Judas’s feet, gave him bread, and went willingly to the cross. This is the perfect obedience Psalm 40 described.

We have failed, and will continue to fail, but Jesus took the pit of death for us, gave us a new song, and the presence of God forever. Have you ever been betrayed by a close friend? What did you do with the pain? Are you more like David, Jesus or Judas?

 

Psalm 26
David asked the Lord to judge in his favor because he had lived with integrity. His life and trust in the Lord could be tested. He compared his life of living in reliance on God’s faithfulness to the wicked. He did not even associate with the evildoers. David said he came to God with clean hands and a pure heart. He prayed for God’s mercy and redemption so he could continue to praise the Lord and tell of His good deeds.

Psalm 40
David was patiently waiting for the Lord and was rescued. David led others to trust in God because of what they had seen through David. Blessed are those who trust in God alone. There is an inner delight in doing God’s will (which points to Christ). King David wrote his own copy of the laws as was commanded (Deuteronomy 17:18). He was not shy about sharing God’s goodness. David continued to plead for mercy and his overwhelming troubles and sin. He prayed that God would shame his enemies and those who mocked him. David had humble dependence on God.

Psalm 41
David blessed those who show mercy to the weak and those in trouble. He promised that God would protect, honor, and care for them when they were sick. David confessed and plead for mercy from his own sin and pleaded for mercy because his enemies wished for his death. His close friends secretly plotted against him and spread slander (this is reminiscent of Absalom’s rebellion). David prayed for restoration and justice, confident that God would show him mercy.

Psalm 58
David condemns the corrupt rulers who plan evil. They are wicked from birth, dangerous and stubborn like snakes. He called on God to judge them and disable their powers, so their plans would fail. The righteous would rejoice when they were avenged. There would be public recognition of God judging the earth fairly.

Psalm 61
This was a cry out for God for His refuge and security. David was overwhelmed and wanted God to get him to higher ground. He needed permanent security to “dwell in Your tent forever!” David was thankful for the past answered prayers and wanted a long reign with God’s protection over the throne. He vowed to give a lifelong commitment of praise to the Lord.

Psalm 62
David’s soul rests in God, He alone is his rock. This was quiet, exclusive trust. David was frustrated with his enemy’s attacks. He repeated verses one and two with his wait on God. People are unreliable; you cannot trust them for security, wealth, or power. All power belongs to God, so we must trust in Him alone.

Psalm 64
This was a cry from David to God for protection and to hide him from the enemies who slandered him. They are full of surprise attacks and think that no one sees them. David knows that God would shoot them with His arrows and defend His people against the hidden attacks, gossip, and conspiracies. Their evil plans would backfire, God’s justice would be seen, and the righteous would take refuge in Him.

Today's Discussion question: 

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