In the first five verses of this Psalm, David gives us a beautiful example of why
and how we should praise the LORD for all that He has done for us. The LORD
lifts us up out of the horrible pit and miry clay and sets our feet on the
Solid Rock of Jesus Christ! When this happens, we have a new song to sing in
praise and worship of our wonderful Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Now in verses 6-10, David moves from the rock, and he goes to the sanctuary of God.
After all God had done for David, how could the king express to the Lord his
appreciation for His mercies? He knows that he could bring sacrifices to the
altar, as was required under Old Testament Law. But David knew that wasn't God's first desire. This doesn't mean that
such sacrifices were wrong, or that God didn't want His people to offer them,
but that God wanted their hearts first of all.
Throughout the Old Testament, the Lord made it clear that He could not accept sacrifices
unless the worshiper showed sincere devotion, dedication, and obedience. No
doubt David heard how Saul learned that important lesson after a victory over
the Amalekites. Saul made excuses for his disobedience by saying he kept the
animals for sacrifices. But remember Samuel told Saul, "Has the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and
sacrifices, As in obeying the voice of the LORD? Behold, to obey is better than
sacrifice, And to heed than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22).
The Old Testament is full of verses that repeat this important truth (See Psalm 50:8-15;
51:16-17; Prov. 21:3; Isa. 1:11-17; Jer. 7:22-23; Hos. 6:6; Mic. 6:6-8). In the
Gospel of Mark in the New Testament we are taught this same lesson. “So the
scribe said to Him, "Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for
there is one God, and there is no other but He. And to love Him with all the
heart, with all the understanding, with all the soul, and with all the
strength, and to love one's neighbor as oneself, is more than all the whole
burnt offerings and sacrifices." (Mark 12:32-33).
In verse 6, sacrifice means any animal whose blood was offered at the altar,
followed by a communal meal. Offering refers to the meal offering that could
accompany the sacrifices, and the burnt offering symbolized total dedication to
the Lord. The sin offering was given to cover specific offenses and bring
reconciliation between the offender and God. All of these were fulfilled in
Jesus Christ whose sacrifice on the cross satisfied the justice of God once and
for all, for time and eternity (Lev. 1-7; Heb. 10:1-17).
“My ears You have opened", refer to David’s readiness to hear and obey God's will (1 Sam. 9:15; 20:2; Isa.
48:8; 50:4-5; Matt. 13:9, 43; Acts 7:51, 57). The passage is paraphrased in
Hebrews 10:5-10 as "a body you have prepared for me,". This is the body in which Messiah served the
Father here on earth. An open ear means a yielded will and a surrendered body.
When the heart delights in God's law, the will has no problem obeying (119:11;
Deut. 6:6; 11:18; Prov. 3:3, 7:3; Jer. 31:33). "Behold, I come",
means "Here I am, ready to obey" (see 1 Sam. 3:4, 6,8; Isa. 6:8). This
of course is a prophecy of Jesus the Messiah coming to earth to be the
sacrifice for our sins in a human body (Hebrews 2:14-15; Philippians 2:5-11)
David was enthusiastic about telling others what the Lord had done for him, and he is
a good example for us to follow (22:25; 26:12; 35:18; 111:1; 149:1). Among the
worshipers at the sanctuary, “the great assembly,” the king gave glory
to the Lord. This also reminds us of our Lord's resurrection praises (Psalm 22:31;
Heb. 2:12).
Today, we should also “delight to do His will” and go to the “assembly” of believers to declare “the
good news of His Righteousness, His faithfulness, His salvation, His
lovingkindness and His truth”, so that others may come to know and love the
LORD too!
God bless!
