INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 109
Psalm 109 is a Psalm of David to the Chief Musician in the Temple. It is hard to imagine that this strong language of an IMPRECTORY PSALM could be sung in this Temple worship. Yet even though David was a soldier, courageous and strong in battle, he was also a musical shepherd, with a tender heart.
David had been hurt with the injustic of his enemies, particular with their lies; but he didn't take out revenge on them - instead HE TOOK THEM TO GOD IN PRAYER.
SAY MUCH TO GOD AND LITTLE TO MAN
We need to trust that God is able to take care of our situation. We think that maybe we should "revenge our wrongs" by "compromising our hearts"; but the TRUTH IS: ONLY CON CAN MAKE IT RIGHT.
SO WE NEED TO LEAVE IT ALL WITH GOD!
DAVID - A MAN OF PRAYER - Psalm 109:1-5, Psalm 31; Romans 12:9-21
"MY GOD, WHOM I PRAISE, don't stand silent and aloof; while the wicked slander me and tell lies about me. They surround me with hateful words and fight against me with no reason. I love them but they try to destroy me with accusations, even as I AM PRAYING FOR THEM! They repay evil for good and hatred for love." Psalm 109:1-5 (NLT)
In the first 5 verses of this Psalm, David, feeling hurtful, and probably a little angry and revengeful, does these 3 things:
1. HE TURNS TO GOD'S JUDGEMNENT, NOT HIS OWN
David refuses to ACT on his own feels of "revenge", for he is a loving and compassionate person. He remembers the words of the Lord: "Vengeance is Mine". David id confident that GOD IS RIGHTEOUS AND JUST, and opposed to evil. He knows that God cares for him, who has been in real trouble from his enemies in the past. He trusts in God's faithfulness and love.
"Turn your ear to listen to me; rescue me quickly. Be my rock of proctection, a fortress where I will be safe. I entrust my spirit into your hands. Rescue me, for You are a faithful God."
Psalm 31:2&5 (NLT)
"RIGHTEOUSNESS AND JUSTICE are the foundation of
your throne; love and faithfulness go before You.” Psalm 89:14 (NIV)
2. HE COMPLAINS ABOUT HIS ENEMIES
"His voice is a complaint in Heaven about the hatred and evil of his enemies." Matthe Henry
In trouble with many enemies, David doesn't keep silent. He is innocent and has extended his love to them. Still, "they fight against him without a cause." They tell deceitful lies behind his back. He has extended kindness and compassion towards them, and still, "they return evil for good", hatred for love". There is no excuse for their words or actions.
"In short, David's enemies are:
* spiteful and malicious.
* notorious liars.
* shrewd and restless.
* unjust with their accusations.
* ungrateful with "rewarding evil for good, hatred for love."
Matthew Henry
3. HE IS FAITHFUL AND GIVES HIMSELF IN PRAYER.
Verbal accusations really hurt, but David was not going to "fight back", for HE WAS A MAN OF PRAYER, something we can all learn from. He was also a man of integrity, and although it is "human nature" to have feelings of revenge when we are hurt - calling them, "justified retaliation"; it is not what God wants of us. Paul remins us in Romans:
"Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, to live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear revenge, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written, "It is mine to avenge; I will repay", says the Lord. ......Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." Romans 17-19, 21 (NIV)
"We change another person through GOD'S POWER, THROUGH PRAYER." Charles Swindoll.
David humbly prayed that he would find deliverance from his enemies, but he also prayed that they would find deliverance and salvation from the Lord. Just like Jesus taught us to love our enemies, we like David, need have a "SPIRIT OF PRAYER."
"It was God's work of judgement not David's. With a SPIRIT OF PRAYER, he laid his vengeance before the Lord, and he REFUSED TO ACT ON IT." David Guzik
"While my enemies are uttering false words about me to other people, I AM SPEAKING TO GOD. That is "I AM PRAYER". James Montgomery Boice.
"You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbour and hate your enemy". But I say to you: love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you and PRAY FOR THOSE WHO SPITEFULLY USE YOU AND PERSECUTE YOU." Matthew 5:43&44 (NKJV)
A CAVE DWELLING PRAYER & PROPHECY - Read Psalm 109: 6-20, Psalm 140, 1 Samuel 21,24,26, Acts 1:16-20
WHEN AND WHERE Did David Pray
We are not certain WHEN David wrote this Psalm, though many Bible commentators believe it was probably in the time when he was running from King Saul, and hiding in a cave near Engedi.
WHO Did David Pray For?
King Saul was David's great enemy at the time, and in this part of the Psalm, David was speaking in the "singular" about a a evil and sinful leader. It is likely that this was the choice for David's "harsh language".
When David and his soldiers were in the cave, Saul came in to "relieve himself". At another time, David had gone into Saul's camp with one of his men. At both these times, David was feeling hurt and upset because his leader, whom he had loved and served, had now turned on him. It was not surprising that his heart was tempted by the words of his soldiers:
"Now's your opportunity! Today the Lord is telling you: I will certainly put your enemy into your hand to do as you wish. " 1 Samuel 24:4 (NLT)
"God has surely handed your enemy over to you this time." 1 Samuel 26:8a (NLT)'
But David also listened to his heart and conscience, and instead he let God be the judge, and this was the TONE OF THIS PRAYER. Yes, it was honest and transparent, as "David let it all hang out" and "didn't hold back".
"David was well known, even praised, for being a none vindictive, long suffering and merciful man. He could have killed his archenemy Saul on two occasions, but instead he said, "I will not lift my hand against my master. He is my Lord's anointed." James Montgoery Boice.
"Surely the Lord will strike Saul down someday, or he will die of old age or in battle. The Lord forbid that I should kill the one who is anointed." 1 Samuel 26:10&16
WHAT Does the Prayer Say?
"All the IMPRECATORY PSALMS have a flavour of Romans 12:8, "It is mine to revenge, I will repay", says the Lord. This leaves the execution of justice in God's hands."
James Montgomery Boice
David thought of the curses that would come on his enemy, but there would not be something he would do for the "he refused to take a shortcut to the throne"! No, it would be in God's time!
* A short life - orphaned children and a widowed wife.
* Guilty in a court of law.
* Cursed lives throughout his generations.
* Cutting of the family name, blotting out their memory.
* Taking away his leadership.
These verses are also filled with a PROPHETIC FAVOUR. David is quoted by Peter in Acts, when speaking about Judas.
"This was predicted long ago by the Holy Spirit, speaking through King David;....Judas had bought a field with the money he had from his treachery. Falling headfirst, his body split open, spilling out all his intestines......Peter continued: "This was written in the book of Psalms, where it says, "Let his home become desolate with no one living in it". It also says, "Let someone else take his position."
Acts 1:16-18, 20 (NLT)
WHY Did David Pray this Prayer?
David's prayer was rooted in SIMPLE JUSTICE. He wanted God to give to his enemy, what he had given to others, which was definitely not kindness and blessings. He didn't show mercy or compassion when he persecuted the poor, needy and brokenhearted; whether this was to David himself or other people. He was truly a cruel man and "delighted in cursing others". In fact, as David's harsh words put it, "clothed in curses", with "no delight in blessings". David was expressing his vengeance and believed his words and thoughts were justified.
In this time in David's life he was angry, depressed and hurt; but he was still able to reflect on the Lord's love, goodness and faithfulness, and he was hoping to calm his spirits. What he wanted most was to LEAVE THE JUSTICE IN GOD'S HANDS, NOT HIS OWN.
"May the curses become the LORD'S PUNISHMENT, for my accusers who speak evil of me."
Psalm 109:29 (NLT)
"Retaliation, not for private revenge but as a measure of public justice; is here demanded by the Psalmist. He feels it is deserved for the crime. Surely this malicious man cannot complain if he is judged by his own rule; and his "corn measured with his own bushel'. Charles Spurgeon
We too may be living in a cave that is "dark, dismal and damp". Maybe the hardest part is to be honest with God, To admit that we have needs, cares and feelings. If we admit these, like David did, and release even our hardest thoughts into God's hands. HE WILL CALM OUR SPIRITS!
"Therefore, humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, CASTING ALL YOUR CARES UPON HIM, FOR HE CARES FOR YOU." 1 Peter 5:6&7 (NKJV)
DAVID'S PRAYER FOR HEALING AND RELIEF - Read Psalm 109:21-29, Psalm 31, Psalm 140.
"Having declared God's wrath on his enemies, David now prays for COMFORT FOR HIMSELF. He prays for MERCY AND LOVE, but he does not give orders to God. He returns to gave "communion with Him", submitting to His will." Matthew Henry.
David needed help and deliverance from His Father God. In the cave near Engedi, he turned to God for refuge. He trusted in God's goodness and love; but he didn't want deliverance for his own sake, but so that he could GLORIFY GOD.
We too, when overcome with despair and anxiety may experience these same symptoms as David felt, in both his physical and mental state. Like David, "anger and vengeance can take a tole on our body and soul."
1. David was POOR AND NEEDY, wounded in heart and mind. He felt BROKEN HEARTED, with a sense of guilt and grief.
"For I am poor and needy and my heart is wounded within me." Psalm 109:22
"I know that the Lord secures justice for the poor and upholds the cause of the needy."
Psalm 140:12
"The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart and saves such that has a broken heart."
Psalm 34:18
2. David was feeling "weak in the flesh". His misery was also physical. It felt like "his body was wasting away". This could have been due to his fasting.
"My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction and by bones grow weak." Psalm 31:10
3. David was very unsettled, tossing, shaken and "brushed off like a locust".
4. David was being ridiculed and scorned for his integrity and faith in God. He was laughed at and pitied because "he was falling apart". He didn't need anymore criticism, for "his hurt was deep enough".
"I am scorned by all my enemies, despised by my neighbours - even my friends are afraid to come near me. When they see me on the street, they are afraid to come near me, they run the other way. I am ignored as if I am dead, as if I were a broken pot." Psalm 31:11 & 12 (NLT)
We, like David, can know that we have a "faithful. caring Father God". David understood that the curses of his enemies could "never triumph over the BLESSINGS OF GOD."
"Since You are my Rock and my Fortress, for the sake of Your Name, lead and guide me."
Psalm 31:3 (NLT)
"He was able to find REST and REPAIR, as He valued the BLESSINGS OF GOD; praying for the deliverance of his enemies. He pleaded for GOD'S GLORY AND THE HONOUR OF HIS NAME."
Matthew Henry
CONCLUSION - JOYFUL PRAISE - Read Psalm 109: 30&31, Psalm 140, Acts 16:16-34
David wanted to see God honoured in his deliverance. HE WOULD PRAISE GOD VOCALLY AND PUBLICALLY.
"With my mouth I WILL GREATLY EXTOL THE LORD. In the great throng of worshippers I WILL PRAISE HIM." Psalm 109:30 (NIV)
David is now at a "higher place", and God is to be praised for all He has done:
* For the poor and needy.
* For the oppressed.
* For the enemies who were condemned.
"For He stands at the right hand of the needy, to save their lives from those who would condemn them." Psalm 109:31 (NIV)
"I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted and justice for the poor. Surely the righteous will give thanks to Your Name. The upright shall dwell in Your Presence."
Psalm 140:12-13 (NKJV)
Circumstances may be bleak, but "the Lord stands at our right hand", if we fill our minds with with the thoughts of HIS PRESENCE, POWER AND PRAISE. Paul and Silas knew this truth well:
"But when her masters saw that their hope of profit was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the marketplace to the authorities......And when thety laid many stripes on them, they threw them in prison, commanding the jailer to keep them securely. Having received such a charge, he put them in the inner prison and fastened their feet in the stocks. But at midnight, PAUL AND SILAS WERE PRAYING AND SINGING HYMNS TO GOD and the prisoners were listening to them." Acts 16:19, 23-25
David concludes this Psalm with JOY and assurance of VICTORY. We too must confront ourselves with this CONFIDENT TRUST and fill our hearts with PRAISE.
"Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as if some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings, that WHEN HIS GLORY IS REVEALED, YOU MAY ALSO BE GLAD WITH EXCEEDING JOY. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the spirit of glory and of God rests on upon you..... Yet if anyone suffers as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, BUT LET HIM GLORIFY GOD IN THIS MATTER." 1 Peter 4:12 - 14&16 (NKJV)
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