Year 1, Week 31, Day 5 Bible Reading Observations

Year 1, Week 31, Day 5

I have a brief observation for today’s reading of Psalm 27; 31; 34; 52, 56.

Today’s reading provides us with insights to the realities of David’s heart while he was on the run from Saul. While we are reading through the Book of Samuel, we fold in some of the Psalms for they correlate with the life of David as narrated in Samuel. Each of the Psalms in today’s reading are attributed to David. Psalms 34, 52, and 57 each come with an ascription or title at their beginning that historically sets them in the timeline of 1 Samuel, while Psalms 27, 31 does not have a specific historical ascription or title but the themes expressed in them are themes that are complementary to the issues found in the current sections of 1 Samuel. While the primary focus of 1 Samuel is on the outward actions and reactions of David as Saul is seeking to kill him, Psalms, like the ones in today’s reading give insight to David’s thoughts and feelings as he grapples with and responds to the LORD.

One of the things that struck me in today’s reading is how the LORD helps us to better understand what can occur in our hearts as we live our lives in His presence: “My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast! I will sing and make melody!” (Psalm 57:7). Steadfastness of heart is an inner quality that we can experience even amid great external trouble: “My soul is in the midst of lions; I lie down amid fiery beasts—the children of man, whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords” (Psalm 57:4). The Psalms provide us the language as well as the insights of what our relationship with the LORD can be like even in the middle of terrible circumstances and dangerous situations.

David is running for his life. Literally! Saul wanted David dead, and as king he is leveraging his clout to see to it that David is dealt with. Coupling the Psalms from today’s reading alongside the corresponding historical narratives in 1 Samuel we can link together the troubles in David’s life with how he turns to the LORD. David is afraid: “The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” (Psalm 27:1). Who wouldn’t be afraid if it was known that someone was seeking our lives? But we are to turn to the LORD when we are afraid: “I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4). Turning to the LORD amid our troubles and fears is stabilizing: “But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever” (Psalm 52:8).

The imagery of a green olive tree suggests the inner supply of strength and peace that the LORD provides to His people: “Blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose trust is the LORD. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit” (Jeremiah 17:7-8). Essentially, the difficulties of life do not determine our responses to those difficulties (of those difficult people). Whether it is being tracked down by someone who wants to kill us or any host of lesser troubles, what determines our response to our circumstance and situations is the way that we interpret our troubles and difficulties. In other words, our responses are shaped not so much by what happens to us and/or what someone does toward us; but the interpretation we put on what happens. And the chief influence of how we interpret our difficult circumstances and troubling situations is our view of and our reliance upon the LORD. How do we see God in the context of our troubles?

David is fearful of those who want to kill him. Who wouldn’t! But David is also fully mindful of the LORD and in fact fears the LORD amid his fears: “The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and delivers them” (Psalm 34:7). While it is the same word, fear stemming from our dangers and fear of the LORD even amid our troubles are different experiences. We can be paralyzed by our fear of dangers, but fear of the LORD, as it is used here is a earnest respect for the LORD that prompts us to trust Him “Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind!” (Psalm 31:19). David’s rightful fear of the LORD is not terrorizing but a comfort: “I will rejoice and be glad in your steadfast love, because you have seen my affliction; you have known the distress of my soul, and you have not delivered me into the hand of the enemy; you have set my feet in a broad place” (Psalm 31:7-8). And out of his own assurance of the LORD’s steadfast love, David declares it before others: “Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” (Psalm 27:14).

What struck you in today’s reading? What questions were prompted from today’s reading?

Pastor Joe