Sermon Tone Analysis

David’s Song – An invitation to join him in praise.

(34:1–10)

We know that God is always working in every situation at every moment, and more often than not, we have no idea what is going on in God’s mind and why He chooses to do the things He does… but don’t you just love how sometimes you stumble upon something that is so obviously a “God thing” that you can’t help but marvel at His power and sovereignty over us?

First David lifted up his heart in gratitude to God, then he gathered his outlaws around him and told them on what principles henceforth he was going to govern his camp.

Part one of this psalm is a song, part two is a sermon.

The first part is devotional, the second is doctrinal.

Part one shows us the grace of God, part two the government of God.

We know that God is always working in every situation at every moment, and more often than not, we have no idea what is going on in God’s mind and why He chooses to do the things He does… but don’t you just love how sometimes you stumble upon something that is so obviously a “God thing” that you can’t help but marvel at His power and sovereignty over us?

We are going to see something like that in this psalm tonight, but also in leading up tonight’s service, God was doing some pretty cool stuff behind the scenes.

When Pastor Marc asked me a few months ago which psalm I’d like to preach from, I pretty quickly fell in love with and couldn’t get my mind off of it… it was.

I had no idea then what Pastor Marc would preach the morning of August 4th, but I believe it ties in quite well with this psalm of David – the 34th Psalm.

As you turn there, let me explain… We know from Pastor’s message in this morning that true God-given freedom is found in position as God’s child and not our ability to somehow work our way into His favor.

What a glorious truth!

I don’t know about you, but that’s still something I struggle with… And realizing God’s grace in this area is what prompted David to write this psalm… more on that in a minute.

But then, Pastor’s point that we should examine our hearts to see if the Savior is ruling our lives or we are.

Who sits on the throne?

Well, we know that David has a pretty good reputation in Scripture as being a man after God’s own heart.

A man that submitted to God’s will above his own and delighted in His law.

But we also know from Paul in the NT that this is not a one-time fix.

De-throning yourself and elevating God to His rightful place on the throne of your heart is a daily choosing that must take place.

Tonight, we are going to briefly see what happens when “you do you” – when you let self-rule overtake “Savior, rule” me type thinking…

Let’s read the 22 brief verses of together…

1. David’s Song – An invitation to join him in praise.

(34:1–10)

We are going to see something like that in this psalm tonight, but also in leading up tonight’s service, God was doing some pretty cool stuff behind the scenes.

When Pastor Marc asked me a few months ago which psalm I’d like to preach from, I pretty quickly fell in love with Psalm 34 and couldn’t get my mind off of it… Psalm 34 it was.

I had no idea then what Pastor Marc would preach the morning of August 4th, but I believe it ties in quite well with this psalm of David – the 34th Psalm.

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Have you ever made a bad decision out of fear or selfishness and found the walls of consequence begin to crush you alive?

Then, in a greater fear than you had with the first bad choice, have you tried to plot and scheme your way out of the ever-worsening situation, because – after all – you know what’s best for you.

“In a world where everyone is looking out for their best interests, if anyone is going to come my rescue, it’s gotta be me”, you’ve thought to yourself.

With every lie… with every trick… what grew?

Not peace… more fear.

Perhaps you realize how wretched you are but know that God wouldn’t answer your prayer now… “Why should he deliver me after all I’ve done to hurt Him?”

After all, don’t you deserve to lie in the bed you’ve made for yourself.

Broken.

Humbled.

That was David.

In , out of fear for his life he does something that he would have never done in a sound, peaceful mind.

He ran from one enemy (Saul) to another (the Philistines).

Although already anointed to be Israel’s next king, David doubts the Word of the Lord and flees for his life.

He’s convinced that if he doesn’t take matters into his own hands that Saul WILL kill him.

So he runs… but to where?

Gath.

Sound familiar?

Not long before this, David held the severed head of a giant from this city-state in one hand and the Gittite’s sword in the other.

Have you ever made a bad decision out of fear or selfishness and found the walls of consequence begin to crush you alive?

Then, in a greater fear than you had with the first bad choice, have you tried to plot and scheme your way out of the ever-worsening situation, because – after all – you know what’s best for you.

“In a world where everyone is looking out for their best interests, if anyone is going to come my rescue, it’s gotta be me”, you’ve thought to yourself.

With every lie… with every trick… what grew?

Not peace… more fear.

As you turn there, let me explain… We know from Pastor’s message in John 8 this morning that true God-given freedom is found in position as God’s child and not our ability to somehow work our way into His favor.

What a glorious truth!

I don’t know about you, but that’s still something I struggle with… And realizing God’s grace in this area is what prompted David to write this psalm… more on that in a minute.

1. Let's resolve together to praise God no matter what.

(34:1–3)

The people began to sing that Saul slew his thousands but David his tens of thousands.

God’s decree was that David WOULD be the next king of Israel – no one, no lion, no bear, no giant, and no jealous and vengeful king – could thwart the promise of a holy God.

We too, like David, have been called out of darkness by the loving, strong voice of an Almighty God unto victory over sin, death, hell, and the grave… we too, like David, have been seen by the Lord in a lonely wilderness, and yes while we have many moments of sweet communion with God, we often face lions and bears… such is life for an already and not-yet heir.

But Christ has made us heirs together with Him… we won’t face Satan’s barrage of attacks forever.

No, someday soon we will rule with Him.

We will judge angels and rule in peace with the Prince of Peace.

Such is the Word of the Lord.

Do you believe it?

Of course, it’s true.

But in this sense, we’re like David aren’t we?

David had all the hope of God’s true Word and yet, he runs…straight to the loving, warm embrace of… the enemy?

Not only that, but when David waltzes into town (holding Goliath’s sword, by the way), the people notice David… they notice the sword in his hand… they tell King Achish.

And this is where you notice the title of :

But then, Pastor’s point that we should examine our hearts to see if the Savior is ruling our lives or we are.

Who sits on the throne?

Well, we know that David has a pretty good reputation in Scripture as being a man after God’s own heart.

A man that submitted to God’s will above his own and delighted in His law.

But we also know from Paul in the NT that this is not a one-time fix.

De-throning yourself and elevating God to His rightful place on the throne of your heart is a daily choosing that must take place.

Tonight, we are going to briefly see what happens when “you do you” – when you let self-rule overtake “Savior, rule” me type thinking…

2. Let's remember what God did for us and share it with others.

(34:4–6)

Have you ever made a bad decision out of fear or selfishness and found the walls of consequence begin to crush you alive?

Then, in a greater fear than you had with the first bad choice, have you tried to plot and scheme your way out of the ever-worsening situation, because – after all – you know what’s best for you.

“In a world where everyone is looking out for their best interests, if anyone is going to come my rescue, it’s gotta be me”, you’ve thought to yourself.

With every lie… with every trick… what grew?

Not peace… more fear.

A Psalm of David, when he changed his behaviour before Abimelech; who drove him away, and he departed.

David became more afraid, began feigning insanity, and was eventually sent out from Achish’s presence.

Saved.

Rescued.

So let me just ask you… yes or no: Was David right with God at this point?

NO.

Not one of his finer moments.

In his fear, he sinned.

He doubted God and acted on that doubt, ultimately resigning to deception because he felt it better to take matters into his own hands.

But look at what David says in verse 6 – This poor man cried and the Lord heard him, and saved him...

Let’s read the 22 brief verses of Psalm 34 together…

1.

I was in danger.

(34:4)

Perhaps you realize how wretched you are but know that God wouldn’t answer your prayer now… “Why should he deliver me after all I’ve done to hurt Him?”

After all, don’t you deserve to lie in the bed you’ve made for yourself.

Broken.

Humbled.

This psalm is David looking back at this moment and praising God for His goodness and His grace.

So escapes, runs to the Cave of Adullam to meet back up with his brothers and all his father’s house, his mighty men, and anyone else who was struggling under Saul’s kingdom.

Altogether there’s about 400 men here in this cave, and he recounts what has happened, vows to live a life of praise toward God and invites everyone one in that cave to do the same.

Gathering his outlaws around him, David told them on what principles henceforth he was going to govern his camp.

The invitations David gave that day in the cave are extended to you and me both tonight…