Daily Devotions in the Psalms Psalm 55-59 Monday 15th June - Psalm 55 For the director of music. With stringed instruments. 14 with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship A maskil of David. at the house of God, as we walked about Listen to my prayer, O God, among the worshipers. do not ignore my plea; 15 Let death take my enemies by surprise; 2 hear me and answer me. let them go down alive to the realm of the dead, My thoughts trouble me and I am distraught for evil finds lodging among them. 3 because of what my enemy is saying, 16 As for me, I call to God, because of the threats of the wicked; and the Lord saves me. for they bring down suffering on me 17 Evening, morning and noon and assail me in their anger. I cry out in distress, 4 My heart is in anguish within me; and he hears my voice. the terrors of death have fallen on me. 18 He rescues me unharmed 5 Fear and trembling have beset me; from the battle waged against me, horror has overwhelmed me. even though many oppose me. 6 I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! 19 God, who is enthroned from of old, I would fly away and be at rest. who does not change— 7 I would flee far away he will hear them and humble them, and stay in the desert; because they have no fear of God. 8 I would hurry to my place of shelter, 20 My companion attacks his friends; far from the tempest and storm.” he violates his covenant. 9 Lord, confuse the wicked, confound their words, 21 His talk is smooth as butter, for I see violence and strife in the city. yet war is in his heart; 10 Day and night they prowl about on its walls; his words are more soothing than oil, malice and abuse are within it. yet they are drawn swords. 11 Destructive forces are at work in the city; 22 Cast your cares on the Lord threats and lies never leave its streets. and he will sustain you; 12 If an enemy were insulting me, he will never let I could endure it; the righteous be shaken. if a foe were rising against me, 23 But you, God, will bring down the wicked I could hide. into the pit of decay; 13 But it is you, a man like myself, the bloodthirsty and deceitful my companion, my close friend, will not live out half their days. But as for me, I trust in you. I wonder what your first response is when others wrong you deeply? Do you respond with: “how dare they!”? Do you meditate on every aspect of their person that is somehow wrong? Do you talk with many people about how hurt you are and seek validation and support for your cause? Perhaps you ask for others to pray but what you’re really doing is slander. I wonder how fast (or slow…) you are to pray? In this Psalm we find David grieving a great betrayal. The Psalm begins with a plea to God to hear his prayer. David is experience deep distress (v. 2) and deep anguish (v. 4) because of his enemies. He’s fearful and overwhelmed by horror (v. 5). He wants to run away and forget his troubles (v. 6). He prays that God would bring justice, but as the Psalm progresses, we discover that his enemy was once his companion (v. 13). They worshipped together (v. 14). I think relational pain is one of the deepest pains we humans can experience. And when it’s not just betrayal, but where one who you love does all they can to destroy you (which is the case here), that pain can unbearable. Let this Psalm remind you to first and foremost, pray to the Lord when you feel like David. Don’t repay the evil of others with evil. “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you”. So often we are quick to complain and meditate on the evil of others instead of praying and trusting the king. We too can say the right words but harbour war in our hearts (v. 21). A greater king than David knew a greater betrayal. Which means He understands your sorrows. And His death enables His people to persevere in deep anguish, for he is not just sympathetic, but empathetic. Let his grace and his forgiveness help you to respond with righteousness when you are wronged. James Tuesday 16th June - Psalm 56 For the director of music. To the tune of “A 7 Because of their wickedness do not[c] let them Dove on Distant Oaks.” Of David. A miktam. escape; When the Philistines had seized him in Gath. in your anger, God, bring the nations down. 8 Record my misery; Be merciful to me, my God, list my tears on your scroll— for my enemies are in hot pursuit; are they not in your record? all day long they press their attack. 9 Then my enemies will turn back 2 My adversaries pursue me all day long; when I call for help. in their pride many are attacking me. By this I will know that God is for me. 3 When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. 10 In God, whose word I praise, 4 In God, whose word I praise— in the Lord, whose word I praise— in God I trust and am not afraid. 11 in God I trust and am not afraid. What can mere mortals do to me? What can man do to me? 5 All day long they twist my words; 12 I am under vows to you, my God; all their schemes are for my ruin. I will present my thank offerings to you. 6 They conspire, they lurk, 13 For you have delivered me from death they watch my steps, and my feet from stumbling, hoping to take my life. that I may walk before God in the light of life. David wrote Psalm 56 while fearing for his life, pouring his heart out under adversity “all day long” (v. 2). King David experienced his fair share of anxiety, sorrow, and pain. In exile, virtually all your supports are taken away and all the things you depend on get threatened. This is much more than a geographical displacement and more like a loss of home and the world as you knew it. At some level, we are all in denial that this could happen to us, but like David, we are sometimes seized by our troubles. Psalm 56:3 says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.” Notice: it does not say, “I never struggle with fear.” Fear strikes, and the battle begins. The Bible does not assume that true believers will have no anxieties. Instead, the Bible tells us how to fight when they strike. We see David praising God three times (v. 4,10) in this short Psalm, not just when his problems are over but all through his suffering. David’s lament and tears are known to the Lord (v. 8) and he rests his case with the assurance that God will hear and respond with justice. It’s amazing that God is close enough to record every one of David’s tears and not just his deeds. In Christ God came even closer as Jesus wept over our world as the man of sorrows who came to pay the penalty for our sin and reconcile us to God and bring us out of exile forever. Father God help me to calm my fearful heart with what the Scriptures tell me about who you are. Thank you that nothing about our lives goes unnoticed by you. Help us put our hope and confidence in you today. Amen. Martin Wednesday 17th June - Psalm 57 For the director of music. To the tune of “Do 5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; Not Destroy.” Of David. A miktam. When he let your glory be over all the earth. had fled from Saul into the cave. 6 They spread a net for my feet— I was bowed down in distress. Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, They dug a pit in my path— for in you I take refuge. but they have fallen into it themselves. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings 7 My heart, O God, is steadfast, until the disaster has passed. my heart is steadfast; 2 I cry out to God Most High, I will sing and make music. to God, who vindicates me. 8 Awake, my soul! 3 He sends from heaven and saves me, Awake, harp and lyre! rebuking those who hotly pursue me— I will awaken the dawn. God sends forth his love and his faithfulness. 9 I will praise you, Lord, among the nations; 4 I am in the midst of lions; I will sing of you among the peoples. I am forced to dwell among ravenous beasts— 10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; men whose teeth are spears and arrows, your faithfulness reaches to the skies. whose tongues are sharp swords. 11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth. There is one rule that every dysfunctional family has: whenever something goes wrong, blame someone or something else for the problem. It is never your fault. But see how David responds to his situation (v.