PSALM 19 “The World Book and the Word Book”

 

The superscript: To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David

Spurgeon writes: “In his earliest days the Psalmist (David), while keeping his father’s flock, had devoted himself to  the study of  God’s two great books –nature and Scripture… he is wisest who reads both the world book and the Word book as two volumes of the same work and feels concerning them – My Father  wrote them both.”[1]

OUTLINE

1.     19: 1-6  General Revelation  – God’s World Book

2.    19:7-11 Special Revelation  –  God’s Word Book

3.    19:12-14 Application  - Revelation brings about conviction  and prayer

 

1.   19: 1-6  General Revelation  – God’s World Book

“The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork…”

About three years before I became a Christian at the age of 19, my father and I camped in the desert. As we lay in ours sleeping bags under a stunning Namibian night sky, I was suddenly overcome by the vastness and the grandeur of the Namibian  night sky, and especially and the Milky way which is 100,000 light years in diameter and which consists of more than 100 billion stars. 

Just for context: A light-year is the distance light travels in one Earth year. One light-year is about 9 trillion km. That is a 9 with 12 zeros behind it! Light travels at a speed of 300,000 km per second.  Our Sun is  our  closest star. It is about  150 million miles away. So, the Sun's light takes about 8.3 minutes to reach us. This means that we always see the Sun as it was about 8.3 minutes ago. Being overcome by our night sky, I asked my father, “Is there a God”? His creation was  speaking to me, but I only discovered the  answer  three years  later, when the Word of  God  became clear to me on a Thursday evening on the 22^nd June 1978,  when I met  the Creator of the Universe in a University dining room hall.

David as  a shepherd  spent many  nights  under a  clear sky – and what he saw   is what we see  at night and  in the day, from a northern hemisphere perspective. What  he saw is described in the first  six verses  of this  Psalm.

19: 2-3a “Day to day pours out speech, and night to night reveals knowledge….”   Note - 'pours out speech'!  Not mere subtle hints or suggestions. It's a noisy silence! Ironically, this deafening silence above pours out speech like a bubbling spring -  day after day, night after night, and in never-ending succession.

These all proclaim  the revelation of the glory of God. During the day God is proclaimed in the sun, sky, clouds, rain and rainbows, in the majesty of the mountains, the barrenness of  the southern Namibian  desert, the stunning dunes,  the vastness of the southern Atlantic ocean, the beauty of our savannahs, the rich array of  so many animal species. When the day is done, the night takes over with a display of  moon, planets, stars and galaxies. Day and night they consistently proclaim, God is glorious ! Note where the emphasis lies! This is important, because, according to our fallen human nature we easily shift the emphasis from the Creator to the created. Namibians are tempted to worship creation. They say that they feel closest to God when they  are in the bush or in a desert. They are close, yes, for this is our Creator’s  world. But they are not close enough to God. This is the great sin that the apostle Paul addresses in Romans 1.  Nature is not God.  Nature is God's handiwork. Creation doesn't sing its own praise. It proclaims its Creator’s praise. So, when I am overcome by the grandeur of a Namibian night sky, and the knowledge that the Milky Way I see up there  is so massive, and I a tiny creature on a tiny planet  in a tiny solar system – because there are so many, many more solar systems  each with trillions of stars-then  my heart is not drawn  in adoration to that of which I see a little part. My heart is drawn to the God who made  this universe. 

David was surrounded by nations that actually worshipped the sun, moon and stars. The Christian also looks at creation - the sun, moon and stars, but he does not worship them. The Christian does not believe that the universe evolved by pure chance. The Christian does not get guidance from the stars. The Christian worships the  Creator of the  heavens and the earth -  that same God who was David’s God.

19: 4b- 6  Special mention is made of the sun. "He has  set a tent for the sun"  refers  to the sky - the heavens - probably where the sun goes during the night and then appears  resplendent like a bridegroom  leaving  his chamber… running its course with joy…  bursting with energy - and "like a  strong man” the sun runs its course from one end of the  heavens to the other end. The point is that the sun ( which is set there by God) is not a god. It is God's creation and perhaps  the closest supreme illustration of the glory of God,  whose glory we cannot hope to behold and live. (Paul experienced that in Acts 9!). The glory of God infinitely outshines the sun! As nothing escapes the heat of the sun, so the presence of its Creator is felt by all (19:6).

Now, as stunning and  profound as the night  heavens and the days  may be, the revelation of God in Scripture is much  better. We now see  a transition  from the  beholding  God's WORLD and  WORKS to the witness of His WORD. Both spring from the same source; both declare the same truth—God's Glory. But bothare not equal in their power to bring us to God. GENERAL Revelation is not  sufficient  to save us. We need SPECIAL Revelation.

Now before we move on we must note this: When David described Creation in 19:1-6, he used the name that is commonly used of God  as Creator – Elohim (cf. Genesis1). But now  in  19:7-14, when he introduces God’s Word, he uses the covenant name YAHWEH (capitalised in the ESV) seven times.  When God revealed himself  personally to Moses  in the burning bush (Ex. 3:13,14) he says,  my Name is ”I AM THAT I AM” – the self existent  One – YAHWEH. This is the God of the TORAH to which we are  introduced now.

2.  19:7-11 Special Revelation  –  God’s Word Book

And in 19:7-9   we find  this special revelation - God’s Word – amplified in terms of  six nouns, six adjectives, six verbs. The focus is on the identity (the nouns), the quality (the adjectives), and the function (the verbs) of Scripture.

1.   19:7a  "the law (noun-identity) of the Lord is perfect (adjective- quality), reviving (verb- function)  the soul" (v. 7a). The law is the Torah is the most general term for the law. As a law, it points us in the perfect direction of what is right and away from what is wrong. Its function is to revive/refresh/renew our souls. God’s Word revives us!

2.  19:7b  "the testimony (N)of the Lord is sure (A), making wise (V) the simple" . The written Word is the record of God's testimony to who He is and what He will provide for us in His Messiah-Jesus. This testimony is sure/ dependable/ trustworthy. The Bible gives true wisdom to simple, naïve, gullible people like us. 

3.  19:8a "the precepts (N) of the Lord are right (A), rejoicing (V) the heart" . God's precepts are never wrong. They are true truth and accurate.  God's precepts make us happy and joyful, for they liberate us. God’s  precepts are  God's remedy for a sad, depressed, broken heart. If you are there, then do yourself a favour and read, memorize and meditate over God's precepts. Perspective will return.

4.    19:8b  "the commandment (N) of the Lord is pure,(A) enlightening (V)  the eyes" . That word "pure" may also be rendered "radiant" (NIV). God's commandments are radiant. They bring  light into the darkness of our  human ignorance.  And all of a sudden our eyes see as they have never seen before.  This is specifically the work of the Holy Spirit according to John 14/16. He is given  to illuminate the truth as it is in Jesus.

5.    19:9a  "the fear (N) of the Lord is clean (N), enduring forever (V) " . David has in mind that fear of God that the Bible produces in us. It is clean both in terms of its essence and its impact on our hearts. It endures forever – even into eternity. God's Word does not change with the seasons or with fashions; it  endures forever.

6.    19:9b  "the rules (N) of the Lord are true (A), and righteous (V) altogether" . What God says in his word is never false. It always produces what is right.  The certainty of God's Word is our foundation.

Now if you have all that contained in God’s special revelation, what more do you need? No wonder that  David  writes in  19:10-11  “…more to be desired "than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward".

While  the general revelation of 19:1-6  cause us  to  be in awe of what we see, we are helped  in 19:7-9   to see the Creator. It is like seeing an exquisite artwork, but then meeting the Artist.  There is a satisfaction and joy in knowing that this world and all that we see has an original source – a personal Creator.   

In 19:11  we are reminded... 

(i)   by way of a warning – to ignore the  Word is  at our peril 

(ii) by way of an encouragement  - to heed the Word   revives the soul, provides wisdom for our walk in this world, joy for  the  heart, enlightenment for the eyes, enduring truth you can count on, and the provision of righteousness.

3.  19:12-14 Application  - Revelation brings about conviction  and prayer

19:12-14 Here we see that  David  was overcome  by  God’s truth in its totality, and when that happens there is always  conviction of sin,  leading to prayer. David prays as he becomes aware  of the fact he sinned both consciously and unconsciously. He prayed that God would protect him from both.  He prayed that he might be possessed of a blameless heart.

So this Psalm ends with these words, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer” (19:14). A heart filled to the brim with the  revelation of  God’s work,  both in general and in special revelation is  a precious, mind stretching, sin revealing and soul cleansing exercise. 

 

 

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[1] Spurgeon : The Treasury of David (Vol 1), p. 269

Ephesians 6:1-4 PARENTS AND CHILDREN

 

This section on parents and children in 6:1-4  builds  upon  the  doctrine of marriage  in 5:22-33. Children are, after all, the product of   a man and a woman – a marriage. So, children  need a good  understanding  of  the biblical  roles of men and women in marriage, so that  they in turn become healthy individuals  by  seeing the truth in action.  If  dad truly loves  mum in the way God  says he ought to , and if mom  relates to dad  in the way in which God   says she ought to,  then children  will grow up with a healthy perspective  and framework on marriage  and relationships.  They will have been coached well for life through a mentoring process without equal.

 OUTLINE

1.      6:1-3 A child’s  God-given  duty  to  their  parents

2.      6:4  A parent’s  God –given duty to their children  

 1.      Eph. 6:1 – 3  A child’s  God-given duties  to their parents

Children, do you recognize that you have God-given duties to your parents?  This text teaches you that children are held accountable by God. The Bible says, “Children obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right."  A child that grows up with a pattern of obedience, discipline, and a sense of respect for their parents will become good marriage partners and respectful persons that can make any other human relationship work.  The word translated as obey[1]  literally translates, “be under the authority (of your parents) and listen". The Bible says furthermore that children must obey their parents in the Lord. Children should obey their parents out of reverence for Christ (referring back to  5: 21) …  “for this is right “. Col. 3:20 (a parallel passage) adds, “for this pleases the Lord“.

How do children truly show their reverence and respect for God? By obeying their parents! In fact, this is the greatest duty of a child. What reasons does Paul give that children are to obey their parents?

(i)                 6:1 "…for this is right!"  Because God says so in His Word. Paul takes us back to the foundational principles of God’s law - the 10 commandments (Exodus 20). Why are the commandments important?  The Bible recognizes the fact of   original sin!  Children do not come into the world ready to obey. They are born with an inclination towards sin. Disobedience comes naturally. Obedience, by contrast does not come naturally. One has to learn obedience.  Our model for parental love is God our Father Himself. Hebrews 12:6 teaches, "For the Lord disciplines the one he loves ...". Life in a fallen world requires parental discipline. Both, father and mother are involved in that process (Prov.1:8). Discipline, shunning evil, and right relationships are learned in childhood.   Many warnings relate to children’s interactions with bad company  (e.g.  Prov. 1:10-19).  The child  in Proverbs 2  is s encouraged to replace ungodly habits with wise  ways of living,  a pattern which we have already observed in Eph. 4:22,23.

(ii)               6:2  Here Paul appeals to the moral law of God: “Honour your father and your mother..." (Ex. 20:12). The OT remains the foundation of our Bible. We are to honour our parents – literally “to hold them in reverence or awe”.  In Matt.  15:1-6  Jesus applied this command  also as  supporting them when they are old and in need of care.  There He was dealing with the scribes and Pharisees who abused  their parents  in this regard  and  withheld  promised support for their parents. The same  idea  is found in  1 Tim 5:4, where  it speaks of  putting one’s religion into  practice, particularly where one has needy parents  or grandparents. We are to honour our parents throughout their lifetime (cf. 1 Tim 5:4;8). Let’s face it. Good parents live sacrificially and give everything they have to supply their children’s needs. The other side of the coin is that parents should be taken care of, when they can no longer meet their own needs.  This is surely God’s way of producing families that stick together, teaching each generation the important principle of unselfish love. In the OT (Exodus 21:15,17) a rebellious  child   was put to death.  The OT recognized that such a child was a rebel against God and ultimately a destructive and subversive influence upon society.

How does this apply to N.T. parents who live under grace and not under law?  They are not excused from ignoring their children’s rebellion. Grace teaches us  that  we must  pray  for our children, and  to discipline them  with great wisdom – and sometimes  with tears  and  great firmness. Grace also teaches us that we must leave the ultimate judgement of a rebellious child to the Lord. Remember that God’s ultimate judgements are far more terrible than ours!  Many Christian parents think that grace   means to  overlook  a child’s rebellion.  Did God’s grace to you mean that He overlooked your transgression? Certainly not!  In order to forgive you God substituted the  punishment  due to you on the cross, where Jesus bore our sins.  Grace is based on costly love.   Parental discipline may be costly.  So, children  it is  not  right to  disobey your parents – unless it is very clear that your parents are  commanding  you to do things that are contrary to the will of God.  We are going to deal with that in our next section.  

(iii)    6:3 Commandment and promise :     “this is the first commandment with a promise that it may go well with you and that you may live long in the land...".  The promise extends to the quality  (that it may go well with you) and  quantity (living out of the full time God has allotted to us – not only here on earth, but also in heaven.

SUMMARY: This commandment needs to be taken seriously by children. Keeping of this commandment has positive rewards. Failure to do so incurs God’s wrath. The discipline that our parents administer to us is mild in comparison to a disobedient child who will not inherit the kingdom of heaven. They will suffer eternal punishment. In 2 Tim 3:2 the godlessness of the last days is associated with disobedience to parents. Children must learn to flee to Christ for salvation, since they are under  the same judgement as  their parents .

2.         6:4  A Parent’s  God – given duty to their children  

“Fathers, do not provoke (exasperate) your children to anger; but   bring them up in the discipline   and instruction of the Lord“

The education of the child essentially starts with how a husband relates to his wife. The best way to be a good father to your children is to be a good husband to their mother. How can the children learn to be obedient, if the parents aren't obedient? Apply this to the spiritual realm: How will children learn to be obedient to God, if their parents are disobedient to God? God has ordained that God-fearing parents should be the mentors of their children. God entrusts children to parents and not to nannies and grannies!

The question that comes immediately to mind is this.  Why does Paul address the fathers? The answer is simple. The father is the representative head of the home. In addressing the fathers the Bible addresses the one who is ultimately responsible in the home. When Eve sinned in the garden, God called Adam to account! This is also entirely consistent with the rest of Scripture. In 1 Tim  3:4-5   the Bible says  that an elder -  the husband must ‘manage his own household well, and  see to it that his children obey him with proper respect … “. In Deuteronomy 6 the same  duty is  enjoined upon fathers  as  the leaders of their household. This does not mean that mothers have nothing to do with discipline in the home.  In Proverbs 1 we see that mom and dad are responsible for the teaching and discipline of their children. But the buck stops with dad.

Parents  (fathers in particular)  are called not to provoke their  children to anger[2]. In the parallel passage in Col. 3:21 we read, “Fathers do not provoke your children lest they become discouraged”. Fathers must take the lead in seeing that this does not happen. This is easier said than done. Show me a parent who says that they are free of this temptation, and I'll show you a parent in deep denial. Parenting is an extremely humbling experience.  Having said that there are ways of exasperating children : i.e. through inconsistent discipline, under-discipline and over discipline. 

(i)                 Inconsistent discipline:  Rules that are announced only after a child has broken them; by threatening that does not get applied; by applying rules that are constantly changed;  through rules that are only enforced under a parent’s anger.

(ii)               Under-discipline: Children need boundaries and parents must give them clear boundaries. When there are no boundaries and the discipline is not consistently applied, the children will eventually just give up.  

(iii)             Over-discipline:  The problem of being too severe. The punishment must fit the crime; Our homes are not a boot-camp where a rigid regimen is kept; where shouting is the order of the day; where parents constantly say “no!” to everything ; who never encourage the children   or to show appreciation for what they do;  who appear to be faultless, who never  say sorry. In this regard children need to   sometimes see how mom and dad settle differences among themselves. 

How  are parents to  bring up their children?   

“… bring them up in  the discipline/ training and instruction  of the Lord“.  Our real authority for their training is of the Lord. The word used here for ‘discipline’  (Gk. paideia)  means  training with structure. It envisages patient, persistent training until a right way of life is produced in the child. The second word, translated as  instruction (Gk nouthesia)  means counselling with a view to correction.  The first word has to do  with external discipline (i.e. structures), the second word deals with  inward disciplines – the heart, issues  such as growth in personal convictions.

The goal of parental discipline and nurture 

The goal  of   disciplining and nurturing and  instructing our children is ultimately for the glory of God.  Parents must not use their children to make them feel good. Parents must not live out their unfulfilled dreams  through their children. That would be idolatry. Parents must teach their children to love God and to worship Him alone.

Here are some ways in which you can nurture, instruct and discipline your children  

• Show your children something great to live for–things that really matter (sport is a poor substitute). Make God relevant in all aspects of their lives. Make the Bible the most important book in their lives. Teach them to remember the words of John Bunyan:  “This book will keep you from sin, or sin will keep you from this book“.
• Show them the disciplines of balanced living: physical, emotional, spiritual. 
• Teach them how to be wise in their use of material   things.   
• Show them the importance of church life, and  the importance of  keeping the Lord's day holy- it’s written in the same list as  “honour your father and your mother”.    
• Pray for your children and teach them to pray.  Many have testified to the power of their fathers and their mother's prayers. 

Parents that   train and discipline their children with godly love will reap a harvest in due time, if they do not give up   (Gal. 6:9). A child whose parents truly  love  God, will be  loved. Their parent’s discipline will not be  stern and vindictive, but seasoned with grace and  always redemptive, and always  with this one purpose in mind: that the hearts of their children would be taken captive for the glory of God alone!

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[1] Gr.  hupakouo  - lit. 'under' and ' to hear'

[2] parorgizete

PSALM 17 “Hide Me In the Shadow of Your Wings”

 

The superscript reads, “A Prayer of David”. This Psalm comes right out of the heart of David, and it is addressed straight to God. God is always the subject of true prayer. The eye of faith looks always looks to God. It presents the soul’s trouble directly to Him. It waits for Him (Psalm 130:5) and it knows that it will ultimately receive perspective from Him. Please note that the prayer starts with a cry …. “Hear a just cause, O LORD…”, but it ends with a shout of victory “… I shall behold your face in righteousness…!”  This is a very typical pattern found in the Psalms. The Psalmist comes perplexed and disturbed to God. He presents his trouble to God. He ends with new perspective, even though the initial problem may not have gone away. The distinct feature is this: God has moved into the picture! When Jesus appears in the storms of our life, and when He appears to be asleep,  and when we say, “Teacher do you not care that we are perishing?”, He says, “Peace! Be still!” (Mk. 4:39). And we are OK. So what is happening here in Psalm 17?

OUTLINE

1.     17:1-5 David is seeking vindication from God against His enemies.

2.    17:6-14 David describes the nature of his enemies.

3.    17:15 David finds comfort in  the knowledge of God’s keeping power

1.      17:1-5 David is seeking vindication from God against His  enemies

“Hear… attend… give ear… “ (see also 17:6).  David  is clearly under pressure.  It seems as if he is being accused of being deceitful (17:1).  He believes he is innocent, blameless of the charges that are laid against him. He believes that he has lived a righteous life- at least righteous with regard to the charges  brought  before him, for in truth no one is righteous before God – no not even one (Rom.3:10-11 cf. Ps. 53:1-3). David pleaded his innocence of this sin to God. He says, “my  lips are free  from deceit” (17:1b). And therefore he pleads in 17:2  “O God …YOU …vindicate me!” 

We are not told  what the exact context is, but if we may assume for a moment that king Saul is his accuser (as Psalm 18 indicates), there might be people speaking up for David, saying, “O king,your servant David is a good man. He is not your enemy. He wishes you no harm. Please, end your strife with him.” But David did not want to be vindicated by others.  He appeals to God Himself: “From your presence let my vindication come”. It was one thing if men believed him to be innocent. But David wanted God to  vindicate him.

The Lord Jesus was accused may times.  His work was attributed to Beelzebub (Matt. 12:24). He was accused of being a drunkard and a glutton, mixing with tax collectors and  sinners (Matt.11:19). He was accused at various time of breaking the Sabbath (e.g. Mk. 1:29-31; 3:1-6). He was even accused of undermining the rule of the Roman Caesar, and for disturbing the peace in Israel. This is how they eventually charged him and crucified him. Let it be said categorically that at that time no person vindicated Jesus. God ALONE vindicated Him, and especially on the third day when He rose again from the dead. And still people mock our Lord Jesus today. The Day of Judgment will be a great day of vindication.

David wants the assurance that God is hearing him and vindicating him…. “Let your eyes behold the right” (17:2b). God sees everything clearly. He sees the right. This is my comfort in my pastoral work. He sees the right, and at the end of the day he is the one that vindicates me (Psalm 26:1-3; 35:24). The apostle Paul was frequently accused of many things.  To the Corinthians he says in this regard, “It is the Lord who judges (vindicates) me”.  In pastoral work we often struggle to understand the nature of a situation, which is obscured by the deceitful heart of men and women. Who is right and who is wrong? Only God ultimately knows, and that is why prayer -  that is, crying out to God is ultimately our only resource! This I know. In time God reveals everything.

In 17:3-5 David continues with his plea as he bares his heart before God. He says next, “You have tried my heart, you have visited me by night (see also 16:7); you have tested me, and you will find nothing” (17:3). Now let us be quick to assert that David is not sinless. We know that he was not without sin. He saw, coveted and took another man’s wife, and from this perspective that is still in the future. David is talking here about the accusation that he was being deceitful. And now he is saying to God, “O God you know the truth about me. I am not guilty with respect to THOSE charges!“.  And if these were the charges laid against him by king Saul, then he maintains his innocence. He asserts his integrity.  Despite the hatred of Saul for David, he  never cursed his king: “I have purposed that my mouth will not transgress.”(17:3)

17:4,5 And still David is not finished  with his plea for vindication. He compares himself to his accuser(s): “With regard to the works of man, by the words of your lips I have avoided the ways of the violent. My steps have held fast to your paths; my feet have not slipped”. David is saying to God, “I could have been just like them! I could  have been a violent man.  But I am not. I have  held fast to your paths… your precepts”.   

So here is David. He is accused of being a deceiver and whatever else. It strikes him in the inmost part of his soul, and He is saying to God, “Lord you have examined me. You know this is not true!”

The second part of his prayer follows  now in  17:6-14

2. DAVID PLEADS FOR GOD TO PROTECT HIM. (7:6-14).

“I call upon you, for you will answer me O God” (17:6a).  This is the spirit of the importunate widow in Luke 18:1 and the friend at midnight in Luke 11. David is pressing God for a fair hearing. This is holy boldness.  This is the spirit of wrestling Jacob… “I will not let you go unless you bless me” (Gen. 32:26).   He  takes it for granted that God will answer him.

Again he says, “Incline your ear to me; hear my words“ (17:6b). “Your verdict, O Lord is important to me! And do you know what  else I  want -  more than anything else, Lord? It is this -‘wondrously show your steadfast love (Hebr. hesed- covenantal) (17:7a).Covenantal love! There can be no greater experience of love than this love. In our NT context it is the love that God shows us in reconciling us as sinners to Himself  -  at great cost – the cost of the sacrifice of  His  eternally begotten Son! He  who knew no sin – Him He made sin for us ! In this moment of  need David cries, “Show  this  steadfast covenantal love  to me – O Saviour of those who seek refuge  from their adversaries at your right hand (17:7b)!”  

When the soul is assailed, it needs  assurance. There is no greater assurance  of the love of God  than  that which God gives by His Holy Spirit  to His children (Rom. 8:15,16). David needed to know that. Oh the experience of the love of God in the soul! It drives away  all fear!

And  David  presses  God in this  regard when he says to the LORD, “Keep me as the apple of your eye; hide me in the shadow of your wings from the wicked who  do me violence, my deadly enemies  who surround me” (17:8&9).  The term  ‘the apple of your eye’ in the English language is a translation of the Hebrew which literally reads,  “a pupil of the daughter of eye”. The pupil is surrounded and protected by the daughter – the eyeball. That is a wonderful expression of the love of God, which surrounds us as the pupil is surrounded by the eyeball. And then David uses another metaphor to describe the protecting love of God, when he describes the surrounding  protection that a mother bird would offer to her chicks as she spreads her wings over her chicks -  hidden away safely  from predators. That is where David wants to be – like the pupil surrounded by the eyeball; like  the chick under the wings of  a mother bird – surrounded  by the love of God – “under the shadow of  His wings” [1].

17:10-12  Here  David  exposes the nature of his enemies: (i) they close their eyes to pity - they know no mercy  (ii)with their mouths they  speak arrogantly  (iii)they  are surrounding our steps- they set their eyes to cast us to the ground. (iv)like  a lion eager to tear- to ambush  his enemies.

In  17:13-14  he calls upon God,  “Arise O LORD (covenantal Name YAHWEH).Confront  him! Subdue him! Deliver my soul from the wicked by your sword. From men by your hand  O LORD, from men  of the world whose portion is in this life”. David is saying, “Do you see what is happening Lord? I am lost without you.”  

But He appeals to the LORD – YAHWEH – the God  who has made the heavens and the earth. This LORD is his Shepherd. Every true sheep of God is safe.  And Jesus has not lost one of them.  It is this LORD  on who David leans  and whom He calls upon. If God is for us who can be against us? (Rom. 8:31). Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? (Rom. 8:35) 

David’s God  is our God! He delivers  us from  the boastful  and intimidating “men of the world  whose portion is in this life” – men who have everything that their hearts desire, boastful men, men seemingly at peace in this world – but in truth at war with God

3.  DAVID FINDS COMFORT IN THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOD’S KEEPING POWER  (17:15).

This 15^th verse is the great turning point in David’s soul battle. “As for me, I shall behold your face in righteousness; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with your likeness”.

See David’s  confidence as he anticipates the seeing of God’s face.  “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. (Matt. 5:8). This is, of course  true  when  following our death we  shall  wake up  in the presence of Jesus. We will see His  face. We will see Him face to face whom  we have now only  known heart to heart. And we shall be changed to be like Him (1 Cor. 15) 

And in heaven  we will be perfect, and our souls  will  be so full of God and His love. And we shall be eternally beyond the  reach of  the enemies that assail our soul now. We shall be forever out of Satan’s reach  and nothing  there will disturb our  peace and joy ever again!

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[1] (Psa 17:8; 36:7; 57:1; 63:7; 91:4; cf. Isa 49:2; 51:16).