Psalm 61 Long distance prayers

Psalm 61

This is another of David's Psalms for accompaniment on stringed instruments.

Hear my cry, O God; listen to my prayer.

From the ends of the earth I call to you, I call as my heart grows faint.
I'm not sure how widely travelled king David was - these days with air travel it is possible to be on the other side of the world in as little as a day. 
It is good to know that God can still hear prayers when I am the other side of the world.

David continues with what to me seems an odd request - Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.

David wishes he could dwell in God's house forever and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.

David asks and the Psalm finishes - 
Increase the days of the kings life, his years for many generations.

May he be enthroned in God's presence forever; appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.

Then I will ever sing in praise of your name and fulfil my vows day after day.

Is it me here or did king David die? Admittedly he was quite old when he did die.
Perhaps this is another looking forward to Jesus - the descendent of David who Christians believe is enthroned in the presence of God forever.

Psalm 60 Moab is my washpot

Psalm 60

Yes, yes I know that I nicked the title from this post from a book by Stephen Fry - however fair is fair, he nicked it from this Psalm, verse 8 in fact.

According to the introduction to this Psalm it was written as a lesson for teaching - though I am not sure what is being taught!

It seems that the damn of God's anger against his people has finally burst, and the land is fractured and torn open. The people have been fed the wine of God's wrath until they stagger.
However those who fear and respect God have a banner to rally around.

Next comes the phrase that inspired Stephen Fry - God has spoken from his santuary

Judah, Israel and the surrounding nations belong to God who uses them as he chooses

The Psalm ends with Give us aid against the enemy for human help is worthless.
With God we will gain the victory, and he will trample down our enemies.

Perhaps the lesson being taught here is to fear and respect God? 

I guess with all we have read so far, God would prefer us to live according to the rules and guidelines that he set, though we seldom do this.

Psalm 59 Fortress God

Psalm 59

This is another of David's Psalms written at the time when Saul the king had people staking out David's house. His wife, Saul's daughter helped him escape.

The Psalm starts with a prayer that God would deliver David from his enemies, defend him from attackers and evildoers.

David, in verse 6 describes his attackers returning in the evening snarling like dogs, spewing violence and lies from their mouths thinking "Who can hear us?"

God laughs at these people, the God who David trusts and watches for.

I don't much like verse 10 - God will go before me and will let me gloat over those who slander me. I would rather we all found common cause and we would not be enemies in the first place!

Verse 14 echoes verse 6 - they return at evening snarling like dogs, but now their teeth have been pulled and they can only howl for food.

David's worldview is changed by God's strength and constant protection.

Psalm 58 The role of a leader

Psalm 58

There is a general election coming up in this country (yes, I have not been living in a cave or under a rock) - I'm pretty disillusioned about the whole show if I'm honest. 

"Do you rulers indeed speak justly, do you judge people with equity?" Asks verse 1
No, in your heart you devise injustice and your hands mete out violence on the earth

Even from birth the wicked go astray.

David asks God to break their teeth and pull their poison, may the be like a slug that melts as is moves.

I'm not sure I like the tone of this Psalm particularly - it talks about the righteous being glad when they are avenged and dipping their feet in the blood of the wicked - YUCK and eugh.

Surely there is a God who judges the earth.
Something the powerful would do well to remember - even they have to answer to a higher authority.

Psalm 57 Trusting on the mercy of God

Psalm 57

This Psalm, another of king David, was written when he was hiding from Saul in a cave. 
If my memory serves, Saul chose the same cave to use as a latrine at which David refused to kill him and not the the opportunity to seize the throne.

Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me, for in you I take refuge.
I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.

David cries out to God most high who has vindicated David time and again, sending forth his love and faithfulness. from the midst of lions and among ravenous bests David is forced to live 

God is exalted over all the earth and above the heavens, and in the face of the those who seek harm David's faith in God in unshaken 

Verse 7 "My heart, Oh God is steadfast, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.
Awake my soul, Awake harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn"

This Psalm that starts off in despair finishes on a note of praise setting God above the heavens and his glory covering the earth (wicked people, wild lions and ravenous beasts and all!) 

Psalm 56 What threat are mere mortals?

Psalm 56

According to the introduction to this Psalm, it was written by David when the Philistines had seized him in Gath.

The Psalm starts with a request for God's mercy - note David does not expect mercy from the Philistines (who were Israel's continual enemy) who are in hot pursuit and press their attack all day long.

Having read through the history of David, I don't think that anybody could call him a coward, yet David admits to being afraid and when he is frightened he makes a concious effort to put his trust in God - this allows David to overcome his fear.

In God I trust and am not afraid, what can mere mortals do to me?

David's enemies twist his words, plan for his ruin. They conspire, they lurk, they watch David's steps hoping he will drop his guard and allow them to take his life.

David asks God to record his misery, list my tears on your scroll.
David is confident that God has noticed and recorded his suffering at the hands of the unjust.
I'm sure God still does this.
Because of this record the enemies will turn back when we call for help and we know that God is for us.

Verse 10-11 probably has some special resonance if you read the original Hebrew (which I cannot - if you are an expert in Hebrew studies perhaps you can explain!) In God whose word I praise, In the LORD who word I praise - In God I trust and am not afraid. What can man do to me?

Jesus told his believers "Do not fear those who can only kill the body", rather that we should fear and respect "the one who can condemn body and soul in hades"
Today is Easter Saturday, tomorrow Christians will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus suffered the absolute worst at the hand of those who can only kill the body, and it did not affect his soul.
In fact he could almost have quoted Obi-Wan from Star Wars "You cannot win, if you strike me down I shall become more powerful than you could possibly imagine"

The Psalm ends with David saying I am under vows to you, my God; I will present my thank offerings to you.

For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.

If I may digress slightly I'd like to share briefly a blog post from a namesake of mine.

Mark and his wife Sarah and thier children live in Uganda where Mark is an engineer looking after the aircraft for Mission Aviation Fellowship. Today In their latest post they mention that the UK Foreign office have given advice for UK citizens to consider their actions carefully due to high risk of terrorism and attack by Al Shabab (A Somali militant group)

I pray for Mark, Sarah and their family and the many other believers in this and similar situations, firstly for their safety but also that the threat of this group who can destroy the body will not adversely affect their work and witness.

I hope you have a very happy Easter and since it is Already Sunday as near as Turkey I leave you with an Easter traditional greeting -

Hallelujah, Christ is risen!