In the last few weeks, as the school year has come to an end, I have been feeling a little guilty as I don't think I have done the best for my students. It is mixed with the grief, having learnt that my 'boss' is also unhappy with my performance, and my services as `tutor' are no longer required. People have told me that my `guilt' and `grief' are unwarranted. For whether or not I am responsible for the `failures' of others - a teacher always believes they can do more!!
When David wrote this psalm, I believe he was having similar feelings of `guilt' and `grief', as he expressed to Abiathar, after the deaths of his family by the hand of Doeg.
"I am responsible for your father's family."1 Samuel 22:22
He was angry with Doeg and venting his grief, he convicted and accused him of many crimes. He then passed sentence on him, which in a way, may have been something he felt he too deserved.
But finally, David realised that he knew a merciful God, one who comforted him in his sorrow and would lift all his burdens of guilt. This would come with the assurance of praise!!
The devil wants us to wallow in guilt and grief, because then we cannot accomplish the will of the Father. But God is greater, and His grace and mercy are overwhelming. So let us, with David, SING HIS PRAISES!
"My dear children, you belong to God and have defeated them; because God's Spirit who is in you, is greater than the devil, who is in the world." 1 John 4:4 (NIV)
HISTORY - Matthew 12:3&4; 1 Samuel 21:1-9; 1 Samuel 22:9-23
Saul was trying to kill David. David and his men had run away, and they took refuge in the House of God in Nob. David asked Ahimilech, the priest, for food and he gave them the special bread that only the priests could eat. David also asked Ahimilech for Goliath's sword that was in the house of Nob.
Doeg was a man from the country of Edom. He was an important man that had worked as one of the head shepherds on Saul's farm and became very rich and powerful. But he was a very cruel man and would say things that hurt many people.
Doeg had seen what had conspired between Ahimilech and David, though we don't know how this happened. He told Saul about it, and when Saul inferred that Ahimilech was plotting with David to kill Saul - of which Doeg did not deny - he told his soldiers to kill Ahimilech. The soldiers refused, so Doeg took it upon himself to do it, killing not only Ahimilech, but all the 85 priests, their wives and their children. Abiathar, Ahimilech's son was the only one who survived and he went and joined David and his men.
Saul's fear and resentment of David caused him to stray farther from God, committing rash crimes. He totally disregarded God's plans. Sometimes our anger and fear causes us to act rashly and these acts can cause strain on our relationships, and separate us from our Father. We need to trust God with our fears, and we will respond in love and mercy rather than anger.
"Where God's love is there is no fear, because God's perfect love drives out fear." 1 John 4:18 (CEV)
THE TONGUE IS A SHARP RAZOR - Read Psalm 52:1-4
A tongue is like a `sharp razor'. There are many verses in the Bible that talk about the damage the tongue can do. Sometimes we can hurt others feelings if we are not careful with our words, but sometimes, like Doeg, words can plot evil.
Most of the arguments my husband and I have are about `words' usually said in jest - often not even realizing they are said - but the tongue can definitely cut like a `sharp razor' at times and can HURT!
Sometimes, like in the case of Doeg of Saul, sometimes words not said can lead to just as much evil. In this psalm, David was speaking against people like Doeg, who whether they spoke, or kept quiet, they might hurt people.
Lord, I pray that I will no longer be a disgrace in your sight; that my words will not be harmful, but helpful.
"Pleasant words are like honeycomb, making people happy and healthy." PROVERBS 16:24 (CEV)
TRUSTING IN WEALTH - Read Psalm 52:5-7
According to Rabbinical literature, God sent the `three angels of destruction' to Doeg. The first caused him to forget his learning, the second burned his soul and the third scattered his ashes.
Others maintain that it was Doeg who had reported to David the deaths of Saul and Jonathon (2 Samuel 1:2), and it was David who killed him. Whatever happened, we know that Doeg was a powerful man and had lots of money; but the main reason for his eternal punishment was the evil he had done.
Sometimes I wonder that we have put too much trust in wordly things and not in God, and we are only getting what we deserve.
"No one can serve two masters. The person will hate one master and love the other, or will follow one master and refuse to follow the other. You cannot serve both God and money." Matthew 6:24
TRUST IN GOD'S UNFAILING LOVE - Psalm 52:8&9
David was in a time of great distress, but he finishes with a "song of triumph". David made God his strength. He did not trust in the abundance of riches but in the mercy of God. David lived a life of thankfulness with "holy joy in god" and he lived a life of expectation - "humble dependendence on God".
"There is nothing better to calm and quiet our spirits when they are ruffled and disturbed than to hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." Matthew Henry.
"It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." Lamentations 3:26 (NIV)
"You must return to your God; love Him, do what is just, and always trust Him as your God."
Hosea 12:6(CEV)
David wrote this psalm because he wanted everyone to know that he was and always would be a follower of God. It is in God's mercy and unfailing love he trusted. This has and always will be true for me!
"But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I will always trust in God's unfailing love." Psalm 52:8 (NLT)
Holy Bible: New International Version (2011), Biblica, Inc.
New Living Translation (2007) Tyndale House
Devotional Bible: New Century Version (2003) Max Lucado, Thomas Nelson.
www.easyenglish.info (2001), "Cruel Words", Gordon Churchyard
Blue Letter Bible - Matthew Henry: Commentary on Psalms 52
Jewish Encyclopedia (1901-1906) "Doeg", Morris Jastrow Jnr, Charles A Mendelssohn, Louis Ginsberg, George A Barton, Funk & Wagnall Co.
Doeg had seen what had conspired between Ahimilech and David, though we don't know how this happened. He told Saul about it, and when Saul inferred that Ahimilech was plotting with David to kill Saul - of which Doeg did not deny - he told his soldiers to kill Ahimilech. The soldiers refused, so Doeg took it upon himself to do it, killing not only Ahimilech, but all the 85 priests, their wives and their children. Abiathar, Ahimilech's son was the only one who survived and he went and joined David and his men.
Saul's fear and resentment of David caused him to stray farther from God, committing rash crimes. He totally disregarded God's plans. Sometimes our anger and fear causes us to act rashly and these acts can cause strain on our relationships, and separate us from our Father. We need to trust God with our fears, and we will respond in love and mercy rather than anger.
"Where God's love is there is no fear, because God's perfect love drives out fear." 1 John 4:18 (CEV)
THE TONGUE IS A SHARP RAZOR - Read Psalm 52:1-4
A tongue is like a `sharp razor'. There are many verses in the Bible that talk about the damage the tongue can do. Sometimes we can hurt others feelings if we are not careful with our words, but sometimes, like Doeg, words can plot evil.
Most of the arguments my husband and I have are about `words' usually said in jest - often not even realizing they are said - but the tongue can definitely cut like a `sharp razor' at times and can HURT!
Sometimes, like in the case of Doeg of Saul, sometimes words not said can lead to just as much evil. In this psalm, David was speaking against people like Doeg, who whether they spoke, or kept quiet, they might hurt people.
Lord, I pray that I will no longer be a disgrace in your sight; that my words will not be harmful, but helpful.
"Pleasant words are like honeycomb, making people happy and healthy." PROVERBS 16:24 (CEV)
TRUSTING IN WEALTH - Read Psalm 52:5-7
According to Rabbinical literature, God sent the `three angels of destruction' to Doeg. The first caused him to forget his learning, the second burned his soul and the third scattered his ashes.
Others maintain that it was Doeg who had reported to David the deaths of Saul and Jonathon (2 Samuel 1:2), and it was David who killed him. Whatever happened, we know that Doeg was a powerful man and had lots of money; but the main reason for his eternal punishment was the evil he had done.
Sometimes I wonder that we have put too much trust in wordly things and not in God, and we are only getting what we deserve.
"No one can serve two masters. The person will hate one master and love the other, or will follow one master and refuse to follow the other. You cannot serve both God and money." Matthew 6:24
TRUST IN GOD'S UNFAILING LOVE - Psalm 52:8&9
David was in a time of great distress, but he finishes with a "song of triumph". David made God his strength. He did not trust in the abundance of riches but in the mercy of God. David lived a life of thankfulness with "holy joy in god" and he lived a life of expectation - "humble dependendence on God".
"There is nothing better to calm and quiet our spirits when they are ruffled and disturbed than to hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." Matthew Henry.
"It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." Lamentations 3:26 (NIV)
"You must return to your God; love Him, do what is just, and always trust Him as your God."
Hosea 12:6(CEV)
David wrote this psalm because he wanted everyone to know that he was and always would be a follower of God. It is in God's mercy and unfailing love he trusted. This has and always will be true for me!
"But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I will always trust in God's unfailing love." Psalm 52:8 (NLT)
Holy Bible: New International Version (2011), Biblica, Inc.
New Living Translation (2007) Tyndale House
Devotional Bible: New Century Version (2003) Max Lucado, Thomas Nelson.
www.easyenglish.info (2001), "Cruel Words", Gordon Churchyard
Blue Letter Bible - Matthew Henry: Commentary on Psalms 52
Jewish Encyclopedia (1901-1906) "Doeg", Morris Jastrow Jnr, Charles A Mendelssohn, Louis Ginsberg, George A Barton, Funk & Wagnall Co.
No comments:
Post a Comment