The early verses of this psalm are a cry to the Lord from David for support as he’s expressing his helpless condition, the bitterness of his heart, and the pain that he is feeling in his soul. He needs deliverance from his enemies and is entreating the Lord to hear his prayer. We see his distress so intense that he fears that he will “become like those who go down to the pit” (Psalm 28:1). As characteristic with David, he is calling out to God for relief.
We don’t see David taken in by smooth-talking neighbors who speak of peace, while their hearts plot evil. This Psalm is interesting as part-way through this serious lamenting, we see David’s attitude switch from pleadings of deliverance; justice; and vengeance to words of rejoicing, worship, and song.
You see, something incredible is happening here. In the midst of his deep distress, David stopped and remembered who God truly is:
“The LORD is my strength and my shield…” This is jubilant praise!
As we talked about yesterday and the day before regarding Psalm 118:8 and 2 Corinthians 12:9, we’re not promised health, wealth, or prosperity by simply being Christians. In fact, we’re promised the opposite and should expect hard times. This is how be can avoid discouragement in our faith, and in this verse we see a prime example of David doing just that. When faced with tremendous difficulties, David knows that God has promised to be with us in every situation of life as he says, “in him my heart trusts, and I am helped…”
As you go about your day, you should keep this truth in your mind: due to our sin and rebellion against God, we have the sentence of death if we only trust in ourselves. Don’t trust in yourself or man, but in Christ, as it is He who provides to us sufficient grace, and in Whom we have been made new.
“…my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.” This phrase is edifying and encouraging in glorifying God and singing our praises to Him. In good times and bad, we should worship Him, for it not only lifts our heart but in our helplessness we know we can trust in Him as we give glory to our Father in heaven.
My prayer for each of us is that our heart may truly rejoice in the God of our salvation and that our hearts will exult in thankfulness and eternal praise to God.
