MEDIATIONS IN THE PSALMS (8-18-24) [An outline of the Psalm A good devotional study when using the scriptures indicated] Psalm 35:1-10, Prayer for Divine Protection There are differences as to when David penned this Psalm; whether as he fled as an innocent fugitive from Saul or in his old age when rebelled against by his son Absalom. I’m inclined toward the former and see the Psalm directed toward David in I Sam. 22:7-10; 23:16: Jonathon, strengthened David’s hand (encouraged him) in the Lord Sam.23:16), informing him of those speaking lies against him. The Psalm is an appeal to heaven of a bold heart and a clear conscience, irritated beyond measure by oppression and malice. Our Lord is to be seen here through the spiritual eyes. Matthew Henry subdivides the Psalm under the first ten verses, ‘Prayer for Divine Protection’. In these verses David brings his case to God, he sets forth the restless rage and malice of his persecutors. “David was God’s servant, expressly appointed by Him to be what he was, followed His guidance, and aimed at His glory, in the way of duty had lived (as Paul speaks) ‘in all good conscience before God unto this day’; and yet there were those that strove with him, that did their utmost to oppose his advancement, and made all the interest they could against him; they fought against him, not only undermined him closely and secretly, but openly avowed their opposition to him and set themselves to do all the mischief they could.” (Matthew Henry) How blessed the legal status of the believer. We may enter into the court room with our adversaries, with full assurance that our Advocate has won the case. Our court cost has been paid, our Advocate stands at the bar of divine justice having perfectly secured the Judge’s ear, “Plead my cause, O LORD.” The righteous have been made righteous by the blood of Christ and as the redeemed of the LORD; they have a righteous cause before the Righteous Judge, their champion. A man of war, He fights all our battles, and none can resist Him. He will not be bribed. Be sure dear saint of God when men and devils rise up against you without cause, know that you shall be vindicated (Rom.8:31-39). He prays to God that He make known Himself both for him and to him in this trial. For him, he prays that God would fight against his enemy’s vs.1-3. To him, “Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation,” blessed assurance. Let me have inward comfort under all these outward troubles, to support my soul which they strike at. “Be my salvation, not only my Savior out of my present troubles, but my everlasting bliss.” Not only my salvation in the beginning of my way, but everyday and in everyway until the end of my way. He prays for the utter destruction of his enemies vs. 4-10. These predictions look further, and read the doom of the enemies of Christ and His Kingdom; the final defeat and overthrow of the wicked will be inconceivably dreadful. Another way of their defeat is to pray for their conversion, remember how Christ prayed for His enemies? What better way to confound the sinner when he is opposing himself and Christ than for the Holy Spirit to strike deep conviction in his soul. ~TW
Older
Top
