Untitled Sermon (4)
Background
THE COUNSEL OF DESPAIR (VV. 1–3)
The psalm begins with a note of surprise. David was trusting in the Lord in the midst of his trial (v. 1). Although his faith was well known to his friends, this did not keep them from grimly advising him to ‘Flee as a bird’ (v. 2).
To them it was all very clear. The wicked were ready to shoot ‘secretly’ (v. 2)—from the cover of darkness—at the godly.
David’s friends evidently considered his adversaries to be so numerous, so strong and so crafty that there was little hope of success against them. It appeared as if these enemies would cause the very foundations of society to be destroyed.
We often hear the same gloomy assessment that was given to David. Wickedness is so strong and flourishing! The foundations are crumbling! All is hopeless! The righteous can do nothing to stem the tide!
THE COUNSEL OF DESPAIR (VV. 1–3)
The psalm begins with a note of surprise. David was trusting in the Lord in the midst of his trial (v. 1). Although his faith was well known to his friends, this did not keep them from grimly advising him to ‘Flee as a bird’ (v. 2).
To them it was all very clear. The wicked were ready to shoot ‘secretly’ (v. 2)—from the cover of darkness—at the godly.
David’s friends evidently considered his adversaries to be so numerous, so strong and so crafty that there was little hope of success against them. It appeared as if these enemies would cause the very foundations of society to be destroyed.
We often hear the same gloomy assessment that was given to David. Wickedness is so strong and flourishing! The foundations are crumbling! All is hopeless! The righteous can do nothing to stem the tide!