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May 14th
Our reading today is a spiritual progression in the heart and life of King David. From successful highs to sinful lows. And then from remorse over spiritual failures to mountain slopes of forgiveness and renewed joy. In view of beautiful and refreshing running waters flowing in the valleys of contentment below. And in view of the mountain of God above where His peace rains down upon the humble, glad children come to worship together in love.
Psalms 32,51,86,122.
These Psalms by David are songs of instruction and contemplation. That’s what Maskil means in the title of song 32.
When we read through the 51st psalm, we hear David make a promise to God from the restored heart that the Spirit had given him after a season away from the Lord.
“I will teach transgressors Your ways.” Perhaps these songs, these Maskils, were the fulfillment of David’s promise.
G. Campbell Morgan said about these verses, “...songs of penitence...as well as rejoicing in the wonders of the grace of God. Sin is dealt with...sorrow is comforted...and ignorance is instructed.”
And by the way, Psalm 32 was Saint Augustine’s favorite psalm. He had it inscribed on the wall next to his bed before he died. In order to meditate on it in his last days on earth.
David wrote much about the “blessednesses” (plural) of being “forgiven” by God.
“My transgressions are forgiven...My sin is no longer exposed...my sin is covered. David knew what it was to be a sinner. Caught in the act by God and others. He knew the seriousness of sin and how good it was to be truly forgiven.
Spurgeon said...”Oh, the double joys, the bundles of happiness, and the mountains of delight that fill my “forgiven soul.”
David wrote, “When I kept silent my bones grew old...and Your hand was heavy upon me day and night...David said that the consequences of his unconfessed sin were terrible, physically and spiritually.
David knew and thus instructs, that God’s hand is very helpful when He is lifting us up. But it is awful when He is pressing us down. David had come to understand that God loved him enough to press down hard enough to break his stubborn will and then lift his contrite spirit up to new fellowship with Him.
And that brings us to Psalm 122...from self-deceit and the fatigue that comes from running away from God to the summit of God...the House of God on Mt Zion...in Jerusalem, the City of David...the city of Peace...the Prince of Peace.
I was glad when they said unto me, “Let us go into the House of the Lord...” David was remembering what it was like as a child when his parents would bring he and his brothers to the “City on a hill” for the several festivals a year that the priests would assemble the Israelites to. Groups of people journeyed together to Jerusalem to worship individually, but most importantly together.
David wrote about how glad he was to participate in those worshipful days inside the gates of peace. Signifying the “peace of God” for troubled souls, and peace with friends and neighbors in the covenant family of Jacob.
But David was also glad to be invited to go with his community. Spurgeon said,”...good children are pleased to go home and glad to hear their brothers and sisters there...”
David, just forgiven....just lifted up out of the mire of his sin...no more deceit necessary...no more running and hiding from God and others...he takes a deep breath of relief...and then he hears...”Let us go”...yes...you David...come to the mountain of peace with us...remember it’s where God comes to meet us at the Mercy Seat...
Thank You, Jesus...Holy Spirit...Father...the picture is not lost on us...You, not Jerusalem, are our forgiveness, our peace and our love and our joy...
Praise Your Name!
Have a Great day
