A Psalm in Exile

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This is the first psalm with a title and description in it. The description was not added later, it’s actually found with the text.

David’s circumstances (vss 1-2)

• David faces mounting opposition.
  • Absalom put together a strong conspiracy against his father, David. Even adding Ahithophel, Bathsheba’s grandfather, who was David’s high-ranking counselor. David fled the capital with all of his supporters and their families. All of his servants and their little ones hastily grabbed what they could and took off towards the wilderness. David followed them, weeping, and walking barefoot with his head covered in shame.
  • People are the trouble and the numbers against David are increasing. These people are convinced that David is the enemy. Their disgust and cynicism for David are growing.
  • This young man who stood up for the LORD against a giant and became a hero to the Jewish people. This man after God’s heart was the LORD’s second choice for king in his generation. (God’s first choice is Jesus Christ) But now, David’s star has fallen. The dogs are gathering to eat him up like a wounded animal.
  • The words increased and many feel like the walls are closing in.
• David faces many over-confident accusers
  • They see David on the run and say among themselves that this is God’s judgment on David. But this is not God’s judgment on David.
  • When the righteous appear to stumble, the wicked take courage. But appearances are not what they seem.
  • When Jesus Christ was crucified, the religious leaders shot out their lips like poochy faces toward Jesus Christ and wagged their heads because they took his death to mean judgment of God on his wicked life.

David’s confession (vss 3-4)

• But David’s focus is not on his enemies, it’s on the Lord. While a godless soul will turn to alcohol, relationships, drugs, or some physical means of forgetting trouble, David looks to the LORD.
• The LORD is my shield
  • The shield is personal. God is not a shield for everyone, but He is for David. God will not be a shield for David’s enemies, but David says the LORD is a shield for him.
  • Second, David isn’t asking the LORD to be a shield; David declares that the LORD is his shield. He recognizes the battle is ultimately spiritual. The battle takes place in a physical world, but its nature is spiritual. We wrestle not against flesh and blood. The steel is not my shield, the LORD is my shield.
• The LORD is my glory
  • I am not my own glory. My abilities aren’t my glory. My looks aren’t my glory. David says the LORD is my glory.
  • This is David’s heart. He wants the LORD to be honored. His true desire is for the God of Israel to get the respect and worship deserved by Him.
• The LORD is the lifter of my head
  • David’s source of support is the God of Israel.
  • The LORD restores David.
• The LORD is the answer to David’s prayer
• ..and he heard me…
  • David knew he had an answer to prayer in Hushai who was taken into Absalom’s inner circle. And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he heareth us:
  • The LORD moves on the prayers of his people. And His people know they receive answers from Him.
  • God is David’s shield, glory, the lifter of his head. This is David’s faith and it leads to David’s confidence.

David’s confidence (vss 5-6)

• Prayer is not a lucky charm. You know; let me rub my rabbit’s foot, let me check my horoscope, let me send up a prayer to the man upstairs. Whatever the superstitions are, these are not faithful prayers to an Almighty Creator. David trusts therefore David prays.
• It results in his rest because God sustained him.
  • No tossing and turning. No fretting.
  • No anxiety that keeps him up at night; just rest.
• It results in David’s boldness.
  • David is being hunted. He is outnumbered, but faith replaces fear.
  • Once again, this battle is spiritual and it is the spiritual things that matter. It’s not the size or speed of the enemy, it’s the power of my God that wins battles.
  • Have you got an enemy too big for you? How about death? You can’t beat that enemy? How about personal guilt before a holy God? You can’t beat that one. But there is a God that can and He offers His help to whosoever will call on Him.

David’s cry (vss 7-8)

• Save me!
• Salvation belongs to God in Jesus Christ.