Psalm 59

Psalm 59 is likely the first psalm that David wrote as a fugitive, after he fled from Saul’s spear and Saul sent messengers to David’s house to watch him and to kill him in the morning (1 Samuel 19:10-11).

Imagine ourselves in David’s shoes. Under such circumstances, if we have the chance to blog, tweet, or update our facebook status, what would we have written?

Of course, David began his psalm with a plea to God to deliver him from his enemies. He urged God to punish them and not be merciful to those wicked men. He described them as dogs, wandering up and down for food, and howl if they are not satisfied.

When we are faced with persecution or certain tribulation, and there are seemingly many “enemies” around us, do we immediately drop on our knees asking God to punish them? Didn’t David do just that - complaining about his enemies and asking God to consume them?

However, there are a few things to note:

1. Not for my transgression nor for my sin, O Lord.
They run and prepare themselves through no fault of mine. (v3-4)

We need to first reflect if we have ourselves done any wrong. Have we in any way contributed to the current situation? If we have had also done wrong in some ways, then how can we demand for God’s deliverance? In this case, we ought to first repent and then humbly seek God’s mercy.

However, if we have assessed the situation and know for sure that we have done no wrong, then we can be sure that God will definitely deliver us from the hands of our enemies, just as David was absolutely sure.

2. Consume them in wrath, consume them,
That they may not be;
And let them know that God rules in Jacob
To the ends of the earth. (v13)

For what purpose are we seeking for God’s help? Is it for our own selfish reasons? We want our enemies to be destroyed so that we can laugh at them?

David sought for God’s deliverance to destroy his enemies to “let them know that God rules in Jacob to the ends of the earth”. When we ask God to deliver us from our enemies, is it also to magnify the name of Jesus and to glorify Him or is it only for selfish gains?

David had not done any wrong and he was seeking God’s deliverance for the name of God. If we have also rightly done so, we can be assured of God’s help.

Indeed, we can be like David - his soul quieten like a weaned child. In contrast to his enemies who would go all around the city, wandering up and down, we read how David would sing of God’s power and His mercy “in the morning”. He fully trusted in God’s deliverance that He would be his defense and that when morning comes, he would still be safe.

Such peace that comes from a deep faith in God! When we are faced with a sudden crisis or calamity or a difficult situation in our life, are we able to still enjoy this peace and sing praises to God’s mercy, trusting in His deliverance?

God is a faithful God and would definitely keep His promise towards us; however, are we like David, fully trusting in His deliverance and mercy?