After the demise of Saul, David inherited a kingdom that was suffering from strife within and invasions from without (read 1 Samuel 31 to 2 Samuel 8 for background). However, It does not seem to take too long before David is successful in restoring unity within the kingdom, and defeat of all his enemies.
This particular Psalm was written at a time of great victory and conquest in David’s life (the long introduction helps us to establish the time of its writing). Unfortunately, upon first reading the Psalm, It sounds far more like something written in a time of trouble and strife, where the people need deliverance. It does not sound like it’s from someone who has just conquered all his surrounding enemies and is now reigning over all Israel.
You’ll notice this Psalm is called a Miktam: its purpose is to teach. Within it are secrets or treasures that are designed to be passed on to subsequent generations. David was honoring God by teaching the children of Israel about the Lord.
What do you think this Psalm teaches?
What questions does it raise for you?
If you overlaid this Psalm over the recent history of Israel from Saul’s reign up to the defeat of the Syrians (2 Sam 10:15-19), you would see the span of time that is being reflected. It shows the displeasure God suffers as a nation is turned away from the Lord by their leader; it recalls the word of the Lord and various promises He has made; it gives recognition to the fact that salvation belongs to the Lord and Him alone; it shows the cry of a humble heart that seeks the favour of God which they know is received though a contrite heart and obedient life.
A little bit of background study can go a long way to gaining insight and understanding to the things of God. This Psalm is a great one to exercise that ‘mental muscle’ and get a foundation from which you can seek understanding from the Lord about how it speaks to us today.
What does it teach us about God?
What does it teach us about our enemies?
What does it have to say about our desired disposition before the Lord?
What do we have as a result of the New Covenant through the Blood of Jesus that David would not have had?
Would this change how this prayer was spoken/song was sung?
Could you write a similar Psalm reflecting your own history?
– Douglas Smythe