Wednesday, May 17, 2017
Daily reading assignment: Psalms 57-59
Authored by David, the psalms (songs) in today’s Bible reading were songs of worship and praise.
The occasion of Psalm 57 is while David was a fugitive from King Saul who had twice sought to kill him out of jealousy, finally issuing orders to his soldiers to pursue him into the wilderness. Exchanging life in the palace for shelter in a cave, David cried out to the LORD, “Be merciful unto me, O God, be merciful unto me: for my soul trusteth in thee…” (Psalm 57:1). Moving from a prayer for protection to a psalm of praise, David worships the LORD in the latter verses of the psalm (57:7-11).
Psalm 58 reads like a brief exposition on the character of the wicked (58:1-5). David observes the ways of the wicked spring forth from their hearts (58:2) and their nature is wicked from their mother’s womb (58:3). While liberals, humanists, and the naive claim the heart of man is good, God observes the heart of man is “evil continually” (Genesis 6:5) and “deviseth mischief continually” (Proverbs 6:14). Lest the righteous be discouraged, David reminds the saints of God the wicked will not escape punishment and God will vindicate the righteous! (58:6-11)
The occasion of Psalm 59 is when David’s wife, the daughter of King Saul, assisted him to flee for his life from his home in Jerusalem. Not content with two earlier attempts to kill David, Saul sought to entrap and murder his son-in-law while he slept (1 Samuel 19:1-18). Psalm 59 is David’s acknowledgement that the LORD is His Protector and Deliverer (59:1-9). While the enemy plots against his soul, David places his trust in the LORD. Knowing God is Just, David waits on the LORD to judge his enemies (59:10-15), promising to praise God for His strength and mercy (59:16-17).
Friend, none of us know what this day will bring; however, be confident, the LORD is with us! Have a blessed day as you rest in His faithfulness!
Copyright 2017 – Travis D. Smith