A Stack of Statements

Sometimes, we have to digest some tough stuff, e.g. green vegetables—it’s good for us, nourishes us, and (for the Calvin and Hobbes fans) “builds character”

After digesting a sizable portion of that, we have to pass the plate and get a plate of more appetizing nourishment

We’ve been in the Psalms of Asaph, which can be pretty hard to digest; this morning we move to a Psalm of David—which is a bit easier, a sweeter morsel

Next week, a Psalm of the sons of Korah—a yet more victorious song—to end our series

We note this morning that this is a prayer of David—laying out his thoughts/needs/concerns, praising God for who HE IS

We’ll break this week’s lesson into three major groups of statements and do some running application as we go

David’s Statements of his Need for God

The Nerdy Stuff

In vv. 1-6, we have a series of imperative statements: incline your ear and answer, preserve my life, be gracious to me, Gladden the soul, give ear to my prayer

…though gladden is not in an imperative form, it has the same thrust behind it

Addressing God

He uses LORD, God, and Lord

Yahweh, proper name

Elohim, the plurality—either the triune God or plurality of majesty

Adoni, Lord—master

The variety of names, used so closely together, seems to show an intimacy with God—a part of that special relationship he has—the man after God’s own heart

Why He Needs God

Each as an explanation of why David is in such need—we could likely make a short sermon out of each of these verses

He is poor and needy, could also carry the sense of afflicted

Certainly evokes the thought of Matt 5 3

Matthew 5:3 ESV

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

He is godly…and trusts in God, could also carry the thought of faithful

NOTE: He is trusting in God—personally! Not an abstract faith, not an intellectual agreement…a personal, experience with the true and living God

He cries continually to God…lifting up his soul

Running Application

Are we on such intimate terms with God? How well do we know Him?

Do we admit our poverty—our neediness—for Him ?

Are we consistent in our prayers?

David’s Statements of the Realities of God

Without exhausting any of these concepts…just...

Hitting the High Points

We start to see them, in v. 2—God is David’s God!

In v. 5 He is good and forgiving—very important to David, whose sin was broadcast to the nations; also abounding in steadfast love—chessed--

In v. 7, we see that He answers prayer

Moving to vv. 8 ff. we see that God is a unique God, unlike the false deities of other nations=thinking back to previous week—false deities possibly to include demonic activity

Within this is a slight nod toward the future…all nations will come…looking forward to either the 1000-year reign of Christ or the new heaven/earth

Because of His steadfast love, He has delivered David’s soul—a critical piece of information; David recognizing the eternal nature of His life

NOTE: When his child born from his adultery died, he recognized that he would join his child in eternity

Running Commentary

Reciting the facts of God within prayer is good and proper; It acknowledges our understanding of who He is and what His attributes are

Reciting Scripture in prayer is also a good thing—unless it’s done vainly—repetitively—by rote

Do we truly understand these attributes and how/why they relate to us?

Have we experienced His steadfast love (other translations, mercy)

Has He delivered YOUR soul as he had David’s?

David’s Statements of his Desperation for God

His Situation

He has people seeking his life

David was a tough guy—had killed lions and bears bare-handed, Goliath with a sling and stone

…but recognized his inadequacies

His Response

He turns to God

Asks for strength

Asks for deliverance

Running Commentary

The toughest among us need to rely on God and His power/strength/might

Our Statements about God

How well do we know God?

How is our prayer life?

Are we on intimate terms with Him—do we...can we…pour our hearts out before Him…

...or are our prayers stiff, formal, formulaic, rote…? …done out of a sense of obligation, no real connection

Do we have an understanding of all He is—His attributes, power and might

…and what He expects from us?

Paul, writing on the power of God in Spiritual battle, wrote Eph 6 10, opens the discussion with

Ephesians 6:10 ESV

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might.

Then, Paul gives us a string of imperative phrases (DO IT! statements)

Ephesians 6:11–19 “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm.

Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances

take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one;

and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end,

keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me…”

When we examine what we need to be doing, how can we not recognize our

Desperation for God

If the unarguably most powerful, capable warrior in history—David had slain his TEN THOUSANDS—was desperate for the intervention of God in his life, should we not be also?

The key is understanding our salvation