Daily Bible Devotionals

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Psalm 41. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my steps. He has put a new song in my mouth - praise to our God; many will see it and fear and will trust in the Lord. Blessed is that man who makes the Lord his trust, and does not respect the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.” Psalm 40:1-4 (NKJV)

The Biblical image of “the pit” is literally the grave and figuratively Hell. Sometimes, a trip to the pit was a direct judgment of a person’s rebellion against God, as was the case with Korah after Israel’s exodus from Egyptian captivity.

“‘But if the Lord creates a new thing, and the earth opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into the pit, then you will understand that these men have rejected the Lord.’ Now it came to pass, as he finished speaking all these words, that the ground split apart under them, and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the men with Korah, with all their goods. So they and all those with them went down alive into the pit; the earth closed over them, and they perished from among the assembly.” Numbers 16:30-33 (NKJV)

Other times, a person was thrown into a literal pit, as unjust punishment by men. Daniel was thrown into a pit with lions. Joseph (aka the Prince of Egypt) was thrown into a pit by his brothers. And Jeremiah went to the pit to prophesy God’s Word.  

“Now Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, one of the eunuchs, who was in the king’s house, heard that they had put Jeremiah in the dungeon. When the king was sitting at the Gate of Benjamin, Ebed-Melech went out of the king’s house and spoke to the king, saying: ‘My lord the king, these men have done evil in all that they have done to Jeremiah the prophet, whom they have cast into the dungeon, and he is likely to die from hunger in the place where he is. For there is no more bread in the city.’ Then the king commanded Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian, saying, ‘Take from here thirty men with you, and lift Jeremiah the prophet out of the pit before he dies.’ So Ebed-Melech took the men with him and went into the house of the king under the treasury, and took from there old clothes and old rags, and let them down by ropes into the pit to Jeremiah. Then Ebed-Melech the Ethiopian said to Jeremiah, ‘Please put these old clothes and rags under your armpits, under the ropes.’ And Jeremiah did so. So they pulled Jeremiah up with ropes and lifted him out of the pit. And Jeremiah remained in the court of the prison.” Jeremiah 38:7-13 (NKJV)

So, how do we endure the unjust “pit”? We cling to God’s Word, as David in verse 4!

“Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night.” Psalm 1:1-2 (NKJV)

“Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear to my cry; do not be silent at my tears; for I am a stranger with You, a sojourner, as all my fathers were. Remove Your gaze from me, that I may regain strength, before I go away and am no more.”  Psalm 39:12-13 (NKJV)

We have all, no doubt, seen movies where a military leader is inspecting his troops. I picture the long military parades common in Communist countries, where miles of soldiers march and a nation’s power is on display to encourage its citizens and intimidate its enemies. There is also the more personal inspection of a drill sergeant with his boot camp recruits. Far from a display of polished medals and military hardware, the drill sergeant looks for the slightest imperfection. His goal is to teach the entire unit how the carelessness of a single soldier can affect them all. No boot camp soldier wants the drill instructor to stop abruptly, turn on a dime, and stare him down.  

That is the picture David paints of the gaze of God. David has messed up. He had promised to “guard my ways, lest I sin with my tongue.” But then, when he was unguarded and goofing off (“While I was musing, the fire burned. Then I spoke with my tongue.”), David shot his mouth off in a way that demanded the rebuke of God.

Yes, God is loving, gracious, and kind, but He is also just and demands that His followers discipline themselves. It is not just an Old Testament idea; Jesus calls us all to be “disciples.” And what is a disciple but a person who disciplines themselves to follow the Lord, saying “no” to the flesh and “yes” to God and His Word?

You may wonder what the big deal is. We live in a generation that shoots its mouth off on Twitter & Facebook, 24-7! Well, the “gaze of God” is more than just a glance. When God gazes at you, He is scanning your whole being, soul & all, as a TSA agent X-rays airplane passengers. And by no means do you want to glare back at God as if you could find fault with His judgment and call His character into account!

“And he (Moses) said, ‘Please, show me Your glory.’ Then He said, ‘I will make all My goodness pass before you, and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.’ But He said, ‘You cannot see My face; for no man shall see Me, and live.’ And the Lord said, ‘Here is a place by Me, and you shall stand on the rock. So it shall be, while My glory passes by, that I will put you in the cleft of the rock, and will cover you with My hand while I pass by. Then I will take away My hand, and you shall see My back; but My face shall not be seen.’” Exodus 33:18-23 (NKJV)

David knew he was guilty and that God had no problem identifying David’s pride, the source of his sin. But David knew as we know. While God is a righteous judge, He is also gracious and merciful. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

“O Lord do not rebuke me in Your wrath, nor chasten me in Your hot displeasure! For Your arrows pierce me deeply, and Your hand presses me down. There is no soundness in my flesh because of Your anger, nor any health in my bones because of my sin. For my iniquities have gone over my head; like a heavy burden they are too heavy for me. My wounds are foul and festering because of my foolishness.”  Psalm 38:1-5 (NKJV)

During his 2016 election campaign, President Donald Trump shocked Christians at the Family Leadership Summit when he told an interviewer that he considered himself a Christian but had never asked God for forgiveness. What appalled Christians was how a person could declare himself a believer but skip over an essential mechanic in the process of salvation: repentance! To turn to Jesus, one must admit they need salvation and be willing to turn from their sin.

“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before, whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all things, which God has spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began.” Acts 3:19-21 (NKJV)

In the days that followed Trump’s statement, efforts were made by other interviewers to have Trump clarify. Cal Thomas extracted from the candidate, “I will be asking for forgiveness, but hopefully, I won’t have to be asking for much forgiveness.” Fellow candidate Ben Carson even told reporters he had prayed with Trump, who had asked the Lord for forgiveness. But the damage was done.   The reason I mention Trump’s statement is not to denigrate President Trump. Instead, I was taken aback by the contrast of Trump’s not feeling he needed to ask forgiveness set against the backdrop of King David’s burden over his self-admitted transgressions and “foolishness.” Humility is a far more powerful quality for a leader than hubris. And we can learn from David not just how to defeat giants and elude Saul but how to return to the Lord after we have sinned. If you do not feel you need forgiveness, remember this:  there is a little “Saul” in us all.

But can David be sure God will listen to his prayers, much less respond positively to his entreats? More importantly, what happens when we repent?  

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 (NKJV)

Indeed, while David could not be certain of the degree of mercy the Lord would show him, he knew he could trust God at His Word. A small measure of God’s mercy is worth infinitely more than political correctness and human effort.

“I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” Luke 5:32 (NKJV)

“Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness. Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass. He shall bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him; do not fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who brings wicked schemes to pass. Cease from anger, and forsake wrath; do not fret—it only causes harm. For evildoers shall be cut off; but those who wait on the Lord, they shall inherit the earth. For yet a little while and the wicked shall be no more; indeed, you will look carefully for his place, but it shall be no more.” Psalm 37:3-10 (NKJV)

I love the “cause & effect” language in today’s psalm. Trusting & doing good leads to dwelling & feeding on. Delighting in the Lord leads to Being Given. Committing & trusting leads to God Bringing-to-Pass & bringing Forth. We get a strong sense that God does not just demand our obedience but that He also delights in it!

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and depart from evil.” Proverbs 3:5-7 (NKJV)

In all of this “cause & effect,” it is easy to get an opinion of God that He can be manipulated into doing whatever we want, literally, giving us the “desires of our heart.” We should be cautioned that God is not our “genie” in heaven. He is our FATHER in heaven. This being the case, we should seek Him to align ourselves with Him.  When we read His Word and apply it to our lives, we begin to trust Him, learning to love the things He loves and avoid the things He disapproves of. Such people ask of the Lord and can expect to receive because they ask according to His will as they grow closer to Him daily. He gave us His Word so we would seek it daily, meditate on it, and continually discuss it.  

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NKJV)

Also notable in today’s psalm is the idea of inheriting the earth. It reminds us of both the Ten Commandments and the Beatitudes.

“Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.” Exodus 20:12 (NKJV)

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5 (NKJV) (Eph 6:1-4)

The Hebrew word “HaEretz” means more than just “earth  .”It refers to a “Covenant Land.”

“Your mercy, O Lord, is in the heavens; Your faithfulness reaches to the clouds. our righteousness is like the great mountains; Your judgments are a great deep; O Lord, you preserve man and beast. How precious is Your lovingkindness, O God! Therefore, the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Your wings. They are abundantly satisfied with the fullness of Your house, and You give them drink from the river of Your pleasures. or with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we see light. Oh, continue Your lovingkindness to those who know You, and Your righteousness to the upright in heart." Psalm 36:5-10 (NKJV)

God’s mercy, faithfulness, righteousness, and judgment all work together to give us a glimpse of His holiness. It is not arbitrary that David combines these attributes in his worship of the Lord as he sought refuge under His “wings.”  The grace of God is shown to men, even though all men are sinful, and we can be confident that God will show us mercy whenever we turn from our sin. He literally protects the same people who, before repentance, deserve His rebuke. When we see the word “wings,” we should be reminded of the prophet Malachi as he is speaking of Messiah.

“But to you who fear My Name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves.” Malachi 4:2 (NKJV)

Jesus described His desire to show mercy, particularly concerning those who killed and stoned the prophets, as that of a mother hen extending her wing of protection to her wandering chicks.

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!” Matthew 23:37 (NKJV)

Not only do repentant sinners come under the protection of the Lord, but also His direction, His “light” (John 1:4), and provision, quite literally the “fountains of living water.”

“And the Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let him who hears say, ‘Come!’ And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17 (NKJV) (Revelation 21:6)

“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water.” Jeremiah 2:13 (NKJV)

“Jesus answered and said to her, ‘If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, “Give Me a drink,” you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water.’” John 4:10 (NKJV) (Proverbs 13:13-14; Proverbs 14:27)

“Plead my cause, O Lord, with those who strive with me; fight against those who fight against me. Take hold of shield and buckler, and stand up for my help. Also draw out the spear, and stop those who pursue me. Say to my soul, ‘I am your salvation.’” Psalm 35:1-3 (NKJV)

I have been in several troublesome situations during my lifetime. The kind of trouble that I could not fathom a way out. So, I can identify with David’s words. I know how it feels to have exhausted all imagined escape routes, knowing salvation must come from the Lord if it is to come at all. Perhaps that is why Jesus’ Name in Hebrew, “Yeshua,” literally means “Salvation.”  More precisely, “Salvation of God.”  In verses 5 and 6, David cries out to Messiah (The Angel of the Lord) to personally save him. The same Messiah to whom we cry out for salvation.  (Micah 5:2; 1 Corinthians 10:1-4)

“Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’” Matthew 1:19-21 (NKJV)

For a moment, let’s lay aside the idea of our need for eternal salvation. Instead, let’s focus on various situational needs for salvation we may encounter, such as health issues, financial crises, and relational or criminal aggression. Whenever we encounter a situation we are certain that only the Lord can rescue us from, we typically ask the Lord, “How long?” or plead, “Please do not let this situation go any further!”  

“This You have seen, O Lord; do not keep silence. O Lord, do not be far from me. Stir up Yourself, and awake to my vindication, to my cause, my God and my Lord. Vindicate me, O Lord my God, according to Your righteousness; and let them not rejoice over me. Let them not say in their hearts, ‘Ah, so we would have it!’ Let them not say, ‘We have swallowed him up.’ Let them be ashamed and brought to mutual confusion who rejoice at my hurt; let them be clothed with shame and dishonor who exalt themselves against me.” Psalm 35:22-26 (NKJV)

Remember, the Lord allowed Pharaoh to pursue Israel so closely that Egypt literally overtook the Israelites at the Red Sea. He allowed this so the Egyptians would know the Lord is God, and the faith of the Israelites would be strengthened.

“And the Lord hardened the heart of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and he pursued the children of Israel; and the children of Israel went out with boldness. So the Egyptians pursued them, all the horses and chariots of Pharaoh, his horsemen and his army, and overtook them camping by the sea beside Pi Hahiroth, before Baal Zephon.” Exodus 14:8-9 (NKJV)

Regardless of how close the enemy gets, remember that God can save you at any distance!

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Psalm 34. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous!  For praise from the upright is beautiful.  Praise the Lord with the harp; make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings.  Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully with a shout of joy.”  Psalm 33:1-2 (NKJV)

While this psalm begins with a praise band and songwriting, it is primarily a tribute to the Word of the Lord.  And that really is the major role that music plays within a church service: to serve & support the preaching of God’s Word.  In the words of Martin Luther, “Music is the handmaiden of theology.”

Being a songwriter myself, I pay particular attention to the term “Sing to Him a new song.” Whenever I teach a songwriting course at a university or a conference, I almost always get this question: "Which comes first, the melody or the lyrics?”  Concerning Psalm 33, David would say his new song sprang forth from seeing God’s Word fulfilled.  And doesn’t that happen to us whenever we read the Bible and God reveals something to us that constitutes a paradigm shift, a significant change in how we now view the world through the lens of Scripture?  You may not play an instrument, but doesn’t your heart burst forth in song as you ponder what He has revealed to you, how, as you committed to studying His Word, He responded by meeting you and revealing His truth?  If you have had that experience, surely you can resonate with David’s words!  If not, keep reading the Bible because God delights to reveal His Word to those who diligently seek Him in Bible study!

So, what else can we learn today from Psalm 33?  Have you noticed how David goes on and on about the Word of the Lord and how everything was made by God’s word?

“For the word of the Lord is right, and all His work is done in truth.  He loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.  By the word of the Lord the heavens were made, and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.  He gathers the waters of the sea together as a heap; He lays up the deep in storehouses.” Psalm 33:4-7 (NKJV)

Now consider Psalm 33 in light of John, chapter 1, where we learn that the “Word of the Lord” is Messiah, Jesus.  That’s right before He was born as a baby and before we knew Him as “Jesus.”  He is “The Word” existing before creation, from eternity past.  (Micah 5:3)

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men - And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” John 1:1-4; 14 (NKJV)

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me the One to be Ruler in Israel, whose goings forth are from of old, from everlasting.”  Micah 5:2 (NKJV)

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was turned into the drought of summer. - Selah -  I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’ and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. -  Selah” Psalm 32:1-5 (NKJV)

There is a false idea circulating the Church-at-large that salvation in Old Testament times was obtained by doing the works of the Torah (Law/Teaching). This wrong idea is not a modern church invention. The Apostle Paul had to set the record straight in his letter to the young church in Rome. As his evidence that salvation had never been obtained through the works of the Law but had always been by God’s grace when men faithfully believed in Him, the apostle Paul quoted Genesis 15:6 along with today’s psalm.

“For what does the Scripture say? ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ Now to him who works, the wages are not counted as grace but as debt. But to him who does not work but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness, just as David also describes the blessedness of the man to whom God imputes righteousness apart from works: ‘Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven, and whose sins are covered; blessed is the man to whom the Lord shall not impute sin.” Romans 4:4-8 (NKJV)

Not only was God’s forgiveness available to David, but he describes how, in his pride, he resisted confession, which staved off God’s restoration. Before we hiss at David, we can all remember times when we refused to confess sin. Biblical confession leading to restoration is more than simply admitting we have sinned. True confession includes the desire and serious intent not to sin again. David details how his refusal to confess his sin prolonged God’s “heavy hand” upon him and made his bones ache and groan. The moment that David acknowledged his sin, God forgave him. What a great God we serve! Still, His offer of forgiveness is not extended forever.   Eventually, His grace & mercy must be eclipsed by judgment. Hence, there is URGENCY in the gospel. Seek Him while He may still be found!

“For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You in a time when You may be found; surely in a flood of great waters they shall not come near him. You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance. – Selah” Psalm 32:6-7 (NKJV)

“Seek the Lord while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the Lord, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:6-7 (NKJV)

“In You, O Lord, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Your righteousness. Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily; be my rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me. For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me. Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, for You are my strength. Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.” Psalm 31:1-5 (NKJV)

While suffering on the cross, the Bible records that Jesus made seven statements. They were, in order, loosely phrased as such:

1) To His accusers, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do,”

2) To one thief next to Him on the cross, “Today, you will be with Me in paradise,”

3) To His mother (referring to John the disciple’s new responsibility of taking care of Jesus’ mother): “Woman, here is your son,”

4) To the Father, “Why have You forsaken Me” (quoting Psalm 22),  

5) “I am thirsty” (also quoting Psalm 22),

6) “It is finished” (The sin debt of the world had been fully paid for, God’s requirement had been satisfied),

And finally, today’s psalm is quoted 7): “Into Your hand, I commit My Spirit.”

“Now it was about the sixth hour, and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. Then the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was torn in two. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, ‘Father, ‘into Your hands I commit My spirit.’ Having said this, He breathed His last.” Luke 23:44-46 (NKJV)

For those who truly study the Bible, it is apparent that Jesus was not making random, mindless, or arbitrary statements from the cross. He was prophesying, mostly quoting Scripture. He presumed that we should know the deeper meaning of His statements because we should all be studying and meditating on His Word every day.  

“And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up.” Deuteronomy 6:6-7 (NKJV)

When we read Jesus’ statement, “Into Your hands I commit my Spirit…” in the gospel, we should be mentally filling in the beginning and end of that statement from Psalm 31: “For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me. Pull me out of the net, which they have secretly laid for me, for You are my strength - You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.”  That is what He intends for us to do. We are to know the passage He is quoting and automatically fill in the blanks. That way, we understand that Jesus’ 7th statement from the cross was not communicating resolute defeat. He gave a final statement of faith that He believed God would deliver Him from the grave so that we would remember, as the chapter title of Psalm 31 states, “The Lord is a Fortress in Adversity,” even the adversity of the cross and tomb!

“I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up, and have not let my foes rejoice over me. O Lord my God, I cried out to You, and You healed me. O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit. Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His, and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name. For His anger is but for a moment, His favor is for life; weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Psalm 30:1-5 (NKJV)

While I was living in Chicago back in the early 2000s, there was a Romanian bass player named Dan on my worship team. One day, I asked Dan how he came to live in the United States. He told me that he, along with his father and uncle, fled the Communists by floating on an inner tube across the Danube River. He also described how hard it was to worship in a Communist state, where the police would often burst into a home Bible study, physically beat the leader, and drag him to jail. Dan said they prayed for years that the Lord would let them escape Romania, and he added that he would never forget God’s graciousness to his family, where they had a home in Chicago in which they could study the Bible without fear.

King David was a fugitive most of his early adult life. The song he wrote upon completing the construction of his house meant more to David than a simple tribute to architecture and property value. It was the fulfillment of all he had prayed for during those run-for-your-life years, sleeping in caves and on the desert ground. David even compared his house in Jerusalem with having been resurrected from the grave, “You brought my soul up from the grave; You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.”  

We, too, can often feel there is no end to our personal suffering. In desperation, we offer prayers, pleading for deliverance. We hope the Lord hears, cares about our plight, and has the power and character to deliver His children today.  David’s song of praise should encourage us to see how the Lord can deliver us from the greatest depths imaginable and that He still turns mourning into dancing!

“You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, to the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever.” Psalm 30:11-12 (NKJV)

But what of those who do not hope in the Lord?  What of those who choose to rebel and refuse to trust Him?  Where is their comfort when the dance party ends?

“The joy of our heart has ceased; our dance has turned into mourning.” Lamentations 5:15 (NKJV)

The good news is that there is nobody beyond rescue who is so bad that they cannot have the grace of Messiah Jesus if they will simply turn from their sin and commit to following Him.  (Ezekiel 18:23; John 6:36-37; Matthew 11:28-30, John 3:16)

“The Lord sat enthroned at the Flood, and the Lord sits as King forever. The Lord will give strength to His people; the Lord will bless His people with peace.” Psalm 29:10-11 (NKJV)

As a child, I recall people singing the hymn “Have Faith in God.”  The chorus was simple, “Have faith in God, He’s on His throne. Have faith in God, He watches o’er His own; He cannot fail, He must prevail. Have faith in God, Have faith in God.” That is David’s message to us in Psalm 29: God is in control, even in the midst of the greatest calamity. It is also a reminder to all the “mighty” men (kings & business tycoons) that they are NOT in control. God is the King of kings and Lord of lords. Hence, He is worthy of all honor & glory, for all power is His.

“Give unto the Lord, O you mighty ones, give unto the Lord glory and strength. Give unto the Lord the glory due to His name; worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness.” Psalm 29:1-2 (NKJV)

“The voice of the Lord is over the waters; the God of glory thunders; the Lord is over many waters. The voice of the Lord is powerful; the voice of the Lord is full of majesty. The voice of the Lord breaks the cedars, yes, the Lord splinters the cedars of Lebanon. He makes them also skip like a calf, Lebanon, and Sirion like a young wild ox. The voice of the Lord divides the flames of fire. The voice of the Lord shakes the wilderness; the Lord shakes the Wilderness of Kadesh. The voice of the Lord makes the deer give birth, and strips the forests bare; and in His temple everyone says, ‘Glory!’” Psalm 29:3-9 (NKJV)

Note how David mentions natural signs accompanying the presence and work of the “voice” of the Lord. They are the same signs Elijah experienced at Mount Horeb.

“Then He said, ‘Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.’ And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, ‘What are you doing here, Elijah?’” 1 Kings 19:11-13 (NKJV)

So, what is the Voice of the Lord declaring? The powerful Word of the Lord!

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. …  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:1-3; 14 (NKJV)

“Do not take me away with the wicked and with the workers of iniquity, who speak peace to their neighbors, but evil is in their hearts. Give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavors; give them according to the work of their hands; render to them what they deserve. Because they do not regard the works of the Lord, nor the operation of His hands, He shall destroy them and not build them up.” Psalm 28:3-5 (NKJV)

Grace is a gift. It’s getting something we do not deserve. Mercy is more closely attached to punishment. Mercy means we do not get what we deserve, at least to the extent that the law says we should have gotten it. Mercy is always at the discretion of the judge or the person offended. Often, after having arrested a perpetrator in a domestic dispute, the police will ask the person offended if they want to press charges. Whenever the person offended says “no,” the perpetrator has received mercy. Whenever a jury recommends a life sentence for a convicted felon, and the judge reduces that sentence, the felon has received mercy. Neither the judge nor the person offended is under any compulsion to extend mercy, and neither would be at fault for demanding the full extent of the law to fall upon an offender. Still, the law allows for mercy. When our eternities are on the line, with God’s standard being perfection and us falling short, I am certainly glad God is willing to extend His mercy toward us through Messiah Jesus!

David’s psalm combines both his personal plea for mercy, “...Do not take me away with the wicked and with the workers of iniquity...”, and his demand for his enemies’ justice, “...give them according to their deeds, and according to the wickedness of their endeavors...”. That’s pretty much where we live: in need of mercy yet demanding justice. What separated David as a human from his enemies, i.e., what separates sinners like us from sinners like them? David faithfully believed the Lord’s Word and received salvation by grace, in addition to God’s mercy. David acknowledged that it was the Lord who had established him and glorified Him.  David’s enemies refused to “acknowledge the works of the Lord, nor the operation of His hands.”  We are reminded of Peter’s response to Jesus’ provision of the “great haul of fish,” even though Peter cast the net. The difference between believers & unbelievers is how believers know Who deserves the credit for their salvation.

“Then He got into one of the boats, which was Simon’s, and asked him to put out a little from the land. And He sat down and taught the multitudes from the boat. When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, ‘Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.’ But Simon answered and said to Him, ‘Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your Word I will let down the net.’ And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink. When Simon Peter saw it, he fell down at Jesus’ knees, saying, “Depart from me, for I am a sinful man, O Lord!” Luke 5:3-8 (NKJV)

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Psalm 27. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

“Vindicate me, Lord, because I have lived with integrity and have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Test me, Lord, and try me; examine my heart and mind. For Your lovingkindness is before my eyes, and I live by Your truth. I do not sit with the worthless or associate with hypocrites. I hate a crowd of evildoers, and I do not sit with the wicked. I wash my hands in innocence and go around Your altar, Lord, raising my voice in thanksgiving and telling about Your wonderful works. Lord, I love the house where You dwell, the place where Your glory resides. Do not destroy me along with sinners, or my life along with men of bloodshed in whose hands are evil schemes and whose right hands are filled with bribes. But I live with integrity; redeem me and be gracious to me. My foot stands on level ground; I will praise the Lord in the assemblies.” Psalm 26:1-12 (HCSB)

Vindication is needed whenever a person has been unjustly accused of a crime. We do not know the crime of which David was accused, but we know there was a time when he was unjustly pursued by Saul’s army. Saul had to convince his army that David deserved to be punished, so we can be certain the basis for that pursuit was a lie. However, vindication works both ways. Vindication not only clears the innocent; it also makes accusations certain. For instance, if you unjustly accused your neighbor of stealing your lawnmower, your neighbor would be vindicated if the police found your lawnmower in your own garage. Likewise, if your neighbor accused you of stealing his lawnmower, although you are typically an upstanding citizen and your neighbors did not believe the accusation, your neighbor would be vindicated if the police found his lawnmower in your garage.

So, what kind of retribution is David pleading? In some ways, BOTH. David wants vindication because he is innocent, but his accusations about his enemies’ guilt are also proven right. As with many psalms, David’s words also remind us of Jesus, the “Son of David,” who was unjustly accused.

The word “lovingkindness” in verse 3 (translated as “faithful love” in other Bible versions) is more akin to “mercy.” That is, David is a man, hence, not perfect. His plea for vindication is based more on God’s mercy than his own righteousness. For instance, he also pleads in verse 9, “Do not destroy me along with sinners….” David knows he deserves judgment, so he seeks retribution from God. (Ephesians 2:8-9) David has placed his faith in God and His Word. David’s works are merely evidence of his faith, but His vindication must come from God alone.

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” Romans 5:1-5 (NKJV) (see also: Romans 5:6-11)

“Show me Your ways, O Lord; teach me Your paths. Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; On You I wait all the day. Remember, O Lord, Your tender mercies and Your loving kindnesses, for they are from of old. Do not remember the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions; according to Your mercy remember me, for Your goodness’ sake, O Lord. Good and upright is the Lord; therefore He teaches sinners in the way. The humble He guides in justice, and the humble He teaches His way. All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth, to such as keep His covenant and His testimonies. For Your name’s sake, O Lord, pardon my iniquity, for it is great.” Psalm 25:4-11 (NKJV)

Today’s psalm, a psalm of David, is titled “A Plea for Deliverance And Forgiveness.”  There is something both comforting and irritating about God’s mercy. It is comforting because we all need it. Apparently, we need it often because the Bible says God’s mercies are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22-23).  While each of us receives God’s mercy, delivered daily to our doorsteps, we typically are slow to dispense mercy to others. We tend to want to see people “learn their lessons” rather than give them a fresh start. In today’s psalm, David is not simply looking for forgiveness; he wants to learn from his circumstances so that he will not sin again. David shows himself to be a man after God’s own heart because his plea to learn God’s Word, His “paths,” echoes the heart of God, speaking through Jeremiah.

“Thus says the Lord: Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls. But they said, ‘We will not walk in it.’”  Jeremiah 6:16 (NKJV)

The process of adopting a value system that aligns with God’s Word is not merely the byproduct of listening to sermons or taking notes during classroom lectures. We learn to value God’s Word when we obey it. We also learn when we don’t obey it, we suffer the consequences. God’s mercy is so wonderful in that it allows us to experience the pain of the consequences of disobedience, but not to the extent as to destroy any chances of our full restoration and Kingdom usefulness.

“Who is the man that fears the Lord? Him shall He teach in the way He chooses. He himself shall dwell in prosperity, and his descendants shall inherit the earth.” Psalm 25:12-13 (NKJV)

David’s declaration reminds us of the “Son of David,” Messiah Jesus, and lends understanding to Jesus’s beatitude message.

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5 (NKJV)

Meekness means “power under submission.” David’s psalm gives us the source of that “earth inheriting” meekness: Obedience to God’s Word, the ancient path that leads to life. Not just life for the individual but for the entire nation. (Psalm 25:22)

“The earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness, the world and those who dwell therein. For He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters. Who may ascend into the hill of the Lord? Or who may stand in His holy place? He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who has not lifted up his soul to an idol, nor sworn deceitfully. He shall receive blessing from the Lord, and righteousness from the God of his salvation. This is Jacob, the generation of those who seek Him, who seek Your face.  Selah” Psalm 24:1-6 (NKJV)

Today’s psalm begins with a very obvious, yet often overlooked, fact when people consider the various world religions and how the adherents of those religions coexist in society: There is only ONE TRUE GOD…and He is the God of all men, everywhere. There is only one true God, and He has articulated through the Bible how mankind must worship Him and that all other religion, regardless of how ancient they may be (or how sincere their followers are), is false. The apostle Paul addressed this very issue.

(Paul speaking) “‘God, who made the world and everything in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands. Nor is He worshiped with men’s hands, as though He needed anything, since He gives to all life, breath, and all things. And He has made from one blood every nation of men to dwell on all the face of the earth, and has determined their pre-appointed times and the boundaries of their dwellings, so that they should seek the Lord, in the hope that they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us; for in Him we live and move and have our being, as also some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are also His offspring.’ Therefore, since we are the offspring of God, we ought not to think that the Divine Nature is like gold or silver or stone, something shaped by art and man’s devising. Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.’ And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked, while others said, ‘We will hear you again on this matter.’ So Paul departed from among them. However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.” Acts 17:24-34 (NKJV)

God is exclusive in His divinity, yet he liberally desires for all men to be saved.

“Also the sons of the foreigner who join themselves to the Lord, to serve Him, and to love the name of the Lord, to be His servants - everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and holds fast My covenant - even them I will bring to My holy mountain, And make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” The Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says, “Yet I will gather to him others besides those who are gathered to him.” Isaiah 56:6-8 (NKJV)

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake.” Psalm 23:1-3 (NKJV)

As perhaps the best-known psalm in the world (definitely one of the most familiar passages in the Bible for believers and non-believers alike), Psalm 23 covers both fear of the present and hope for the future in their greatest extremes. So, how do we unpack the gravity of this passage in a few short paragraphs? Frankly, it cannot be done, but let’s try to anyway!  

Everyone, everywhere, regardless of their station of life or ethnicity, resonates with the idea that they are sheep in need of a shepherd. After all, “We all, like sheep, have gone astray.” (Isaiah 53:6). Sadly, most of the people who apply for the job of shepherd (religious and political leaders) fall short of God’s standard. At best, they are flawed shepherds. We can all agree the world is weary of self-serving “bad shepherds”; those whose care for the flock only extends to their provision of mutton and wool! That is why Jesus introduced Himself as the Good Shepherd, the long-awaited Messiah. (John 10:11-18). His feeding of the 5000 (Mark 6:30-44) is a direct parallel with Psalm 23, right down to making His followers lie down in the green grass. It is easy to accept a shepherd who feeds, cares for, and guides us, but where is a good shepherd during hard times? Does He abandon his flock? Absolutely not! Even in the midst of life’s greatest hardships, His is right here with us.

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4 (NKJV)

Where else do we find this “shadow of death” concept in the Bible?

“Give glory to the Lord your God before He causes darkness, and before your feet stumble on the dark mountains, and while you are looking for light, He turns it into the shadow of death and makes it dense darkness. But if you will not hear it, my soul will weep in secret for your pride; my eyes will weep bitterly and run down with tears, because the Lord’s flock has been taken captive.” Jeremiah 13:16-17 (NKJV)

The “shadow of death” is a condition we bring about ourselves. It does not refer to a sickness or disease, per se. The “shadow of death” is the result of our idolatry. The fact that Psalm 23 informs us that the Good Shepherd is with us in the “valley of the shadow” is a sign of His mercy and willingness to forgive us from our lowest places. Lastly, once we are restored, we dwell in His presence by His grace!

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord, forever.”  Psalm 23:5-6 (see also: Jeremiah 52:31-34; Revelation 21:3-4; John 14:2-3) (NKJV)

“My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me? Why are You so far from helping Me, and from the words of My groaning? O My God, I cry in the daytime, but You do not hear; and in the night season, and am not silent. But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in You; they trusted, and You delivered them. They cried to You, and were delivered; they trusted in You, and were not ashamed. But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised by the people. All those who see Me ridicule Me; they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying, ‘He trusted in the Lord, let Him rescue Him; let Him deliver Him, since He delights in Him!’ But You are He who took Me out of the womb; You made Me trust while on My mother’s breasts. I was cast upon You from birth. From My mother’s womb, You have been My God.” Psalm 22:1-10 (NKJV)

It is a fairly common occurrence that whenever I discuss the idea of Messiah with Jewish non-believers, in order to get the conversation started, I propose some ground rules. They will not speak from the Talmud (a collection of extra-Biblical rabbinic opinions), and I will not speak from the New Testament. After all, if Jesus is the Messiah, then He should be clearly seen in the TANAKH (Hebrew Old Testament). “Fair enough,” they say, and off we go. But it never fails that whenever I read Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22, the Jewish non-believer says, “STOP! You said you would not speak from the New Testament, and you are obviously talking about Jesus!”  I simply turn the Bible around and show them that King David could describe Messiah Jesus more clearly hundreds of years before His crucifixion than their rabbi can see Him today, 2000 years after the fact.

One of the most misunderstood statements that Jesus made from the cross was, “My God, My God, why have You forsaken Me?”  Often, so-called “experts” put forth that in the midst of the trauma of crucifixion, Jesus stammered in His faith and lost sight of the goal. I overheard (and quickly corrected) one Israeli non-believing tour guide who taught his tour group, “Every prayer Jesus prayed, God answered, except for His selfish prayer that the “cup would be removed” from Him in the garden. Then Jesus caught Himself and said, ‘Nevertheless…’ Even on the cross, He was unsure of God’s deliverance and asked, ‘Why have You forsaken Me…?’”  Let me say, that guide was not at all happy when I stepped in to give the proper Biblical understanding of the passage.

So, what did Jesus mean when He asked, “Why…?” Well, what is the subject matter of the psalm? It is the prophetic confession of Messiah, Who would bear the sin of both Israel and the world. Jesus was not confused, and His faith had not faltered. He was quoting a psalm about Himself - not only His unjust punishment but also the hope of His resurrection! Anyone who knew the first part of the psalm knew the rest.  

“You have answered Me. I will declare Your name to My brethren; in the midst of the assembly I will praise You. You who fear the Lord, praise Him! All you descendants of Jacob, glorify Him, and fear Him, all you offspring of Israel! Psalm 22:21b-24

“For the king trusts in the Lord, and through the mercy of the Most High he shall not be moved.” Psalm 21:7 (NKJV)

Psalm 21 has thirteen verses. The first six verses deal with God’s salvation of David, with strong Messianic overtones. For instance, David speaks of the recipient of God’s salvation as having his days extended “forever and ever” and that he is “blessed forever  .”Also to consider is that Jesus’ Name in Hebrew is Yeshua, which means “God saves.”  

“He asked life from You, and You gave it to him - length of days forever and ever. His glory is great in Your salvation; honor and majesty You have placed upon him. For You have made him most blessed forever; You have made him exceedingly glad with Your presence.” Psalm 21:4-6 (NKJV)

For a moment, let’s consider that David was not speaking about Messiah. David’s words, then, indicate he believed in the resurrection and anticipated to spend eternity in God’s presence, that his earthly deliverances were only foreshadowing of a permanent heavenly one.

The last six verses of Psalm 21 focus on the judgment of God’s enemies. Fire and arrows are His tools of wrath. Arrows are silent, swift, and come from afar. God says that His enemies are hit when they least expect it, and His judgment comes quickly. Of course, we see fire as a means of judgment throughout Scripture. Shadrach, Meshach & Abed-Nego were saved through the furnace (without even smelling of smoke), while the men who threw them into the fire were burned alive. (Daniel 3) Most notably, the “Lake of Fire” (alongside the Word of God/the sword from Jesus’ mouth) is the final instrument of judgment in the Revelation.

“They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.” Revelation 20:9-10 (NKJV)

If we are not cautious, we can scan today’s psalm and see it in two parts: God saves the righteous and punishes the unrighteous. But is anyone righteous before God on their own merit? (Romans 3:10) Don’t we all deserve punishment for sinning and falling short of God’s glory? (Romans 3:32) So, how can anyone be considered righteous? Smack in the middle of Psalm 21 is verse 7. David trusted in the Lord, and in His MERCY, God delivered him. David was not righteous, but his applied faith in God’s Word was counted as righteousness. Therefore, God chose to bestow MERCY (not getting what he deserved). And that is how we are saved today. God’s Grace (gift) is that we receive MERCY when we place our faith in the Living Word (John 1:1-14), Jesus, turning from our sin and committing to follow Him. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Grab your Bible & experience the Groundworks Ministries Podcast as Steve Wiggins leads us through the full chapter of Psalm 20. Click the links below to watch or listen now!

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“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork. Day unto day utters speech, and night unto night reveals knowledge. There is no speech nor language where their voice is not heard. Their line has gone out through all the earth, and their words to the end of the world. In them He has set a tabernacle for the sun, which is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber, and rejoices like a strong man to run its race. Its rising is from one end of heaven, and its circuit to the other end; and there is nothing hidden from its heat.” Psalm 19:1-6 (NKJV)

I can understand how Christians have different religious views and even that other people would follow after false religion. What is completely baffling to me is how a person could claim to be an atheist to deny that God exists at all. All people, everywhere, receive nature’s testimony (also see Romans 1:20)! Therefore, the atheist is a “fool.”

“The fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’” Psalm 14:1a (NKJV)

Today’s psalm tells us that God’s glory is declared by nature itself! No honest, open-minded person could deny the existence of a creator because creation shouts, “Believe!”  So, does that mean a person is saved, apart from trusting in Jesus, by simply by taking a trip to Yosemite? Absolutely not! (Acts 4:12)  Creation prompts people to search for a Creator, but that search always leads them first to His perfect Law. When we get closer to God, we must face the fact that He is holy and has articulated a standard through which communion (fellowship) with Him is possible. That is why Psalm 19 moves from nature’s revelation to Scriptural revelation.

“The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple; the statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb. Moreover by them Your servant is warned, and in keeping them there is great reward.” Psalm 19:7-11 (NKJV) (see also: 1 Corinthians 14:1)

Once nature says there is a God, and Scripture tells us how Holy He is, we face a dilemma: We are not holy at all! Therefore, something (or Someone) must cleanse us from our iniquity! (1 John 1:9) Enter Jesus. In Him, alone, are we saved.

“Who can understand his errors? Cleanse me from secret faults. Keep back Your servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and I shall be innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:12-14 (NKJV)

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Messiah died for us.” Romans 5:8 (NKJV)

“They cried out, but there was none to save; even to the Lord, but He did not answer them. Then I beat them as fine as the dust before the wind; I cast them out like dirt in the streets. You have delivered me from the strivings of the people; you have made me the head of the nations; a people I have not known shall serve me. As soon as they hear of me they obey me; the foreigners submit to me. The foreigners fade away, and come frightened from their hideouts. The Lord lives!  Blessed be my Rock!Let the God of my salvation be exalted. It is God who avenges me, and subdues the peoples under me; He delivers me from my enemies. You also lift me up above those who rise against me; You have delivered me from the violent man. Therefore I will give thanks to You, O Lord, among the Gentiles, and sing praises to Your name. Great deliverance He gives to His king, and shows mercy to His anointed, to David and his descendants forevermore.  Psalm 18:41-50 (NKJV)

The title & direction ascribed to Psalm 18 is “God the Sovereign Savior (To the chief musician. A Psalm of David the servant of the Lord, who spoke to the Lord the words of this song on the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and the from the hand of Saul…)”. If we are paying attention, we should focus on the phrase “…delivered him from all his enemies and from the hand of Saul”, because David quickly moves beyond his immediate deliverance and transcends to Messiah and His deliverance.  (Luke 20:43; Acts 2:35; Matthew 22:44; Psalm 110:1) We must remember that one of the titles of Messiah (Jesus) is “Son of David.”

“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham….” Matthew 1:1 (NKJV)

Another item to note is how David distinguishes between “Enemies” and “Foreigners.”  There is a false idea that God (in the Old Testament) hates foreigners.  That is not so.  God hates foreign gods.  Whenever a foreigner (in the Old Testament or New) renounces their foreign gods and embraces both the God and people of “Israel,” they are no longer considered “foreign,” even though they are not descended from a Hebrew family.

“Also the sons of the foreigner who join themselves to the Lord, to serve Him, and to love the Name of the Lord, to be His servants - everyone who keeps from defiling the Sabbath, and holds fast My covenant - even them I will bring to My holy mountain, and make them joyful in My house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and their sacrifices will be accepted on My altar; for My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations.” The Lord God, who gathers the outcasts of Israel, says, “Yet I will gather to Him others besides those who are gathered to Him.”  Isaiah 56:6-8 (NKJV)

Why would the Gentiles praise the God of Israel?  Because He has defeated the enemies of Messiah. And HOW? By the grace and mercy of God.  When a Gentile converts to the Lord, he not only ceases to be an enemy of Israel, but he becomes gathered (along with the outcasts of Israel) to God’s flock! (John 10:14-16)