When yet very young, David suffered tremendous persecutions from King Saul, who wanted to destroy him out of jealousy for his successes in battle and for fear of him. Unsettled and fearful, so David lived his life until King Saul was killed in battle. He wrote several psalms when yet fleeing from King Saul, one of them is Psalm 59: 1-3: Deliver me from my enemies, O my God; defend and protect me from those who rise up against me; deliver me from and lift me above those who work evil and save me from bloodthirsty men, for behold, they lie in wait for my life, fierce and mighty men are banding together against me, not for my transgression nor any sin of mine, O Lord…Unto You, O my Strength, I will sing praises; for God is my Defense, my Fortress, and High Tower, the God Who shows me mercy and steadfast love (Ps. 59:1-3, 17). At the end of his ordeal, he wrote Psalm thirty. This Psalm expresses in its entirety, God’s blessings over David when He gave him victory over King Saul and those with him. He concluded by saying, You have turned my mourning into dancing for me; You have put off my sackcloth and girded me with gladness; to the end that my tongue and my heart and everything glorious within me may sing praise to You and not be silent, O Lord God. I will give thanks to You forever (Ps. 30:11-12).
King David also suffered persecution from his own. His son Absalom, rebelling against him for matters he disagreed with him, stirred up the nation and tried to dethrone him. David fled from his son across Jordan with his household and his servants to escape Absalom’s siege (II Sam. 15:1-15). He wrote Psalms three and seven at the time of facing his son’s and those with him betrayal and persecution. King David wrote Psalm eighteenth at the end of his wars. It is a beautiful Psalm expressing victories and his love for God. He says, He reached from on high, He took me; He drew me out of many waters; He delivered me from my strong enemy and from those who hated and abhorred me, for they were too strong for me; You caused my lamp to be lighted and to shine, the Lord my God illumines my darkness… He makes my feet like hind’s feet; He sets me securely upon my high places; He teaches my hands to war, so that my arms can bend a ow of bronze; You have given me the shield of Your salvation; and Your right hand has held me up; Your gentleness and condescension have made me great…You have delivered me from the strivings of the people; You made me the head of the nations; a people I had not known served me… The Lord lives! Blessed be my Rock; and let God of my salvation be exalted (Psalm 18). Psalm 145 is his life in review as he magnifies the Lord in an attitude of gratefulness. He starts by saying, I will extol You, my God, O King; and I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day will I bless You; yes, I will praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord and highly to be praised; and His greatness is unsearchable. One generation shall laud Your works to another and shall declare Your works to another and shall declare Your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of Your majesty and on Your wondrous works I will meditate…Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures throughout all generations, the Lord is near to all who call upon Him, to all who call upon Him sincerely and in truth, my mouth shall speak the praise of the Lord; and let all flesh bless His holy name forever and ever (Psalm 145: 1-5,13,18,21). David’s Psalms are prayers expressing humility in his needs; they are songs of victory sung to God; they are songs of praises acknowledging the greatness of the Lord and what He means to David. A heart filled with love and gratitude is a heart that is close to the heart of God. No wonder, David was a man after God’s heart. This is beautifully expressed, for we see in all his writings his tender heart toward God. These are just a few of many psalms David wrote in celebration and acknowledgements of his victories, praising God for them all.
A life that reflects God’s goodness through words and actions, even in times of troubles, is a life that shows contentment in every circumstance. We Christians go through trials for the purpose of sanctification and correction. Victory however, is for those who acknowledge with understanding, God’s purpose in their lives and at the end of their trial, praise God, as David did, although anointed, suffered beyond one’s understanding. What’s in your plate today you may not receive and rebel against it? Looking at YAHSHUA for victory, pursue with faith the course that is appointed for you. At the end, you may shout victory with a song or a psalm that will bring God the glory, the praise and the honor that is due Him.
THINK ABOUT IT!
Light from the Word 