Epaggelia

v1-3, It is possible that this Psalm was written during David’s old age, If David fell sick and thought he may die, then he could be very concerned about what his enemies would do to take advantage of his children’s animosity towards each other. Adonijah & Solomon were in competition for the throne. But someone was praying for David, 1st Kings 1:28-35. Please read James 5:14-15 for faith in the Lord’s ability to heal the sick. There are 3 passages in the Psalms attributed to David, stating he suffered severe sickness which brought him close to death. Psalm 30:2-3, 31:7-10, 32:3-4. But outside of the Psalms we have no specific description of this illness.

v4-5, How beautiful to know that God’s anger lasts only for a moment. God has the power and ability to forget our sins when we meet His conditions for grace in our repentance. God’s anger does not taint the way He deals with us for the rest of our lives. This is a quality that is very difficult for us to attain, but an important characteristic to work on in our lives. We have the tendency to keep our anger burning for months. Sometimes we like to be angry at others and use it as a device to sway above others, manipulating them to do what we want because of our anger or distrust of them. God does not treat us this way and we should not treat others this way, since we ourselves have been forgiven of so much! Ephesians 4:32 & 2nd Corinthians 4:17.

v6-7, The riches of King David, led him to trust in wealth, at one point in his life, it got him into trouble with the Lord. Jesus warns us of this attitude, Luke 12:19. If David fell prey to the false god of money, the Lord had warned him in The Law, of the awful consequences. “… On that day I will become angry with them and forsake them; I will hide My face from them, and they will be destroyed. Many disasters and difficulties will come upon them, and on that day they will ask, ‘Have not these disasters come upon us because our God is not with us?’ And I will certainly hide My face on that day because of all their wickedness in turning to other gods”, Duet. 31:16-18

v8-10, David’s questions show the meaningless waste of his life, if God chooses to let him die before his throne is claimed by one who will build the Temple. The apostle Paul teaches us about the futility of anxiety, encouraging us to pray with gratitude for whatever blessings we know of to date, Philippians 4:6-7. Paul also teaches Christians in Thessalonica, “We…sent Timothy…to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know” (1 Thessalonians 3:1-4).

v11, The inevitable joy which David hopes in, and indeed experiences is in this Psalm, as it is in the teachings and life of Jesus. Christ the man of sorrows, rejoiced, Luke 10:21. He taught us that God still rejoices, even if it is in only one wayward foolish child coming back to him, Lk. 15:22.

v12,  The amazing grace & mercy of God, when felt upon the human heart forgiven, evokes eternal gratitude, see Acts 4:20 & Revelation 7:12. Do you know of this experience?

v1, When the Lord is our Light, he casts out fear of Christ’s enemies from our heart, it is our responsibility to ensure our mind is focused on this heart-felt experience and condition, Jesus wants us to experience this same courage, as David did. John 1:4-5, 8:12.

v3, Being courageous in the face of death, has strengthened many Christian martyrs, which is why Paul could write 2nd Corinthians 5:6-8 for us today, making available to us a bravery that will stand against any enemy of Christ.

v4, Faith in God can give us priorities which will not waver throughout the many seasons of our life on earth. Having “one” of the goals in our heart with the Psalmist is to be “in” God’s Temple. For a Christian that is “in” Jesus Christ. See 2nd Corinthians 6:16 & Ephesians 2:21.

v5, The reason God is our salvation and soul’s security is because the ultimate height of the rock Christ is, and upon whom live & work, 1st Peter 2:6-8. He is a rock that will not sink, nor ever move! Upon Him, we have the upper advantage while engaged in any spiritual battle. See Luke 6:46-48.

v6, Joy is an innate part of making sacrifices for David, and moreso for us Christians, because our sacrifices are made holy by the perfect sanctity, purity and power of Christ, and not our own piety. Even during the memorial of communion proclaiming the death of Christ, we can be thankful, and find a sense of joy that can never be stolen from our heart. Luke 19:37 shares with us the reason many people joyously praise God in Christ, and that is his miraculous provision of grace in their own life. Have you seen God’s grace and not felt joy? Acts 11:21-23.

v8, Desiring to see the face of God is real, and should be understood by Christians. It certainly was a reality God had for faithful Jews to hope in, read Hosea 5:15 & Jeremiah 29:12-13. Christ wanted his personal disciples to believe that if they had seen him, they had seen the Father, John 14:9-11 & 20:29. The only disciples that saw the physical manifestation of the Father in Jesus, was Peter, James & John during Christ’s transfiguration. So why might any of us feel cheated or betrayed if we doubt the Father is in Christ, or that Christ’s Spirit in us is God’s Spirit? Romans 8:9. Perhaps because we have not seen a miracle? Shouldn’t our eye-witness of salvation and maturity through conversion and victory over temptation, be enough?

V9-12. Do we pray for the Lord to keep us safe from spiritual enemies? Do we believe we are involved in a spiritual battle? See Ephesians 6:11-12. If not, perhaps this is why you’ve been left feeling no courage for Christ? If we don’t have strength to overcome temptation, maybe it is because we don’t think we are in a spiritual battle to begin with? If true, there would be no sense in asking for strength to fight a battle you didn’t believe you were in.

v13-14, Have you seen the goodness of God here and now in the land of the living, or do you think that is only reserved for the future of eternity? Do you document his goodness? Do you share His goodness that you have seen with other people? This engenders the strength of the Lord. If courage is faltering in your life as a Christian, take faith in this promise, 1st Thes. 3:12-13. This strength grows, see 2nd Corinthians 4:8-16.

David the King, in his maturity, could look back on being a shepherd boy, and call His God, “My Shepherd” This is amazing, because in their culture, a shepherd was one of the lowest positions a person could employ! Yet, Jesus the miracle-working prophet, teacher and savior, who proved to us He is the LORD would call Himself our “good shepherd” (John 10). If a family needed a shepherd, it was always the youngest son, like David, who got this lowly assignment….Jehovah God has chosen to be our shepherd, David says. The great God of the universe has stooped to take just such care of you and me, and he proved he could stoop, and yet be exalted to glory by becoming the Lamb of God on a cross, only to be resurrected! Remember, there are no menial tasks as a Christian, only menial attitudes.

Many shepherds in 1st century Israel actually live with their flock and is everything to it: guide, physician and protector. A leading Guide for providing the best food, Jesus is the bread of life. A great Physician for treating wounds that heal from the inside out. The spiritual healer that Christ is, renews the inner person as our outer person grows older. He is also the Protector of our very life, saving our soul, sanctifying our spirit and promising a resurrected body to each and every Christian, 1st Corinthians 15:42-44.

However, sheep are by nature, wanderers, and although they are born into a flock, they are apt to leave it, being exposed to danger. If a person doesn’t recognize our innate faulty character leaving us open to the consequences of our own sin, then we will never be able to say “the Lord is MY shepherd”, on the contrary, it will always be, “the Lord is the good shepherd”. While being true, it lacks the personal conviction that can save the sheep.

Being a lamb under the care of the “Good Shepherd” means two things, A Decision and A Desire. “I shall not want” means, we believe that “All my needs are supplied by the LORD, my shepherd.” AND “I shall not want” means, “I decide to not desire more than what the LORD, my shepherd gives. Lambs are trusting and not greedy, but goats are. Philip Keller in his book, “A Shepherd Looks at Psalm 23” writes that sheep do not lie down easily, unless four conditions are met. Because they are timid they will not lie down if they are afraid. Because they are social animals they will not lie down if there is friction among the sheep. If flies or parasites trouble them they will not lie down. Finally, if sheep are anxious about food or hungry they will not lie down. Rest comes only after the shepherd has dealt with fear, friction, flies, and famine. “He makes me lie down in green pastures”!

“He restores my soul” meaning, the rescue of a lost one. Picture the straying sheep brought back, as in Isaiah 49:5 or Psalm 60:1 & Hebrews 6:3. Repentance is something the Shepherd helps us with in granting or permitting us to change, see Romans 2:4 and 2nd Timothy 2:25. We can not repent all by our self.
“To Dwell in The House of the Lord forever”, is to be a child at home with our God; the whole world can be his house to a Christian; and when we ascend into the heavens we will not change our company, we will only go to dwell in the upper storey of the house of the Lord for ever. Because in a sense we are already in His House, that is, Christ, 1st Timothy 3:15.

Jesus chose words from this Psalm deliberately to describe His agony on the cross, Matthew 27:46. It is certain that Jesus was meditating on the Scriptures during the hours of his suffering and that he saw his crucifixion as a fulfillment of Psalm 22. As Jesus approached death while on a cross, it was then, that he felt the horror of God’s abhorrence of sin, he was bearing the brunt of our sins.

“Why have You forsaken Me?” There is a note of surprise in this cry from the Forsaken One, he seems bewildered; “We might easily imagine a situation in the life of King David where he experienced neglect. There were times when he found himself in impossible circumstances and wondered why God did not rescue him immediately. But for Jesus, this suffering was completely for one reason only; God made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him, 2nd Corinthians 5:21. Jesus not only endured the withdrawal of the Father’s fellowship, but also the actual outpouring of the Father’s wrath upon Him as a substitute for sinful humanity. This was the darkness of his horror; when he penetrated the depths of the gorge of suffering. At the same time, we cannot say that the separation between the Father and the Son at the cross was complete. Paul made this clear in 2nd Corinthians 5:19, “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself at the cross”. Our Father must have felt horrific pain too, letting this happen to His Son. If you look closely, you can see two sacrifices at once at the cross.

His enemies identified as the scornful enemies of God and His Anointed in their mockery of Jesus on the cross (Matthew 27:43: He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now…). That is exactly what God was planning through it all. In a truly grace-filled man, his trust in God is known. This trust by believing men is not understood by the world. This true faith will almost certainly be mocked at some time or another. The time will come when the man of faith who has trusted in God will be abundantly and obviously justified, but that justification never comes when WE want it.

There is also some reason to believe (based mainly on John 19:34) that on the cross Jesus suffered from a ruptured heart, making the words “My heart is like wax; it has melted within Me” also amazingly specific. My tongue clings to My jaws: As was normal for anyone under the agony of crucifixion, Jesus suffered great thirst on the cross (John 19:28).

You have brought me to the dust of death: David used this moving poetic phrase to describe the extent of his misery. He probably had in mind the curse God pronounced upon Adam after his sin: For dust you are, and to dust you shall return (Genesis 3:19) Jesus bore the sting of Adam’s curse for us, Galatians 3:3, so that we would not have to bear it ourselves.

“I can count all My bones”: These words can only have their origin from the Spirit of Christ through the hands of the Psalmist David, so that The Son of David, despite his great suffering on the cross, suffered no broken bones. A prophecy that John carefully noted, Jn. 19:31-37. It fulfilled this prophecy, as well as Psalm 34:20 and the pattern of the Passover lamb as described in Exodus 12:46 & Numbers 9:12. This entire Psalm evokes an emotion to cry for mercy, from anyone that reads it with faith. Can you imagine what it would feel like to sing it?

The physical universe itself is a message from our Creator, He shouts “glory”.  He is glorious in His size, having created the entire cosmos so big. He is glorious in His engineering, having created something that works together so well, having all parts so interwoven & interactive. He is glorious in His artistry, having created something so beautiful. He is glorious in His goodness and kindness, having created such beauty for all humanity to see, no matter how ugly we are. He is glorious in his power, having laid within his creation such vast resources of energy. Glory should motivate a Christian to be thankful, not wasteful, gratitude that works to take care of such glory. Gratitude that praises our Creator, not ignores Him. This Psalm 19 was a favorite of C.S. Lewis because of how beautiful it’s Hebrew lyrics were, reflecting how beautiful the glory of God was in creation. The apostle Paul saw this lyrical beauty and applied the power of creation’s message to the gospel message in Romans 10:18. The nature of our universe is directly referred to in Romans 2:14-15, showing our conscience being shaped by a glorious creation all around us. This glorious creation has both a positive and negative effect on our conscience, which we can see in Romans 1:19-20. Therefore to overcome a negative effect on our conscience, we need Christ in our life, because he is the “Yes” that shapes our conscience for true goodness, 2nd Corinthians 1:19-20.

In verses 7-9, we have five different words to describe God’s Word, so that His message is known to us as more than what His creation can tell us about Him.

1. law (refreshes souls)
2. testimony (wiser minds)
3. statutes or precepts (gladens hearts)
4. commandment (enlightens eyes)
5. judgments or rules (truly right)

Messages reflect the nature of the authors, no matter who the author is. God is showing us that His nature is refreshing, wise, joyful, enlightening and always right! Indeed God is love, 1st John 4:8. Therefore God is justified in demanding our respect, not because of just who he is, but also because of how He has proved his virtuous nature in Jesus Christ. We just need to ask God for enough courage to submit to him, and show him due respect/awe/fear!

Ephesians 3:20 says “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us”. When we pray, do we ask him to strengthen us according to his power, or do we expect to do what is right on our own strength by our own wit? How do you pray?
The perfection of the law of the Lord is in His ability to convert or change us from the inside out, 2nd Peter 1:3 says He gives us everything that pertains to life & godliness. God’s word does not give us all knowledge, but all the knowledge it does give us is true and perfect. God’s word is never wrong in science or history or the understanding of either divine or human nature. The Bible says very little about science & history, but what it does say is true. Therefore for real life and real godliness, His word is perfectly able to change us into His perfection! Jesus is our righteousness and we become his righteousness, 2nd Corinthians 5:21.

“To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David the servant of the LORD, who spoke to the LORD the words of this song on the day that the Lord delivered him from the hand of all of his enemies and from the hand of Saul.”

In the title David tells us whom the Psalm was written for: God Himself, who is the LORD and he is just a servant. He tells us the occasion for the writing of the Psalm; possibly not only the immediate aftermath of Saul’s death (described in 1 Samuel 31; 2 Samuel 1), but also of the period leading to David’s enthronement (2 Samuel 2-5) He tells us also something about Saul, who out of great, undeserved kindness is not explicitly counted among the enemies of David (from the hand of all of his enemies and from the hand of Saul). This Psalm is virtually the same as the Psalm sung by David at the very end of his life, as recorded in 2 Samuel 22. It is likely that David composed this song as a younger man; yet in his old age David could look back with great gratitude and sing this song again, looking at his whole life. It is one long, loving accumulation of dear names.” This means that David both knew God, and that he had experienced God.

v1-3, David praises the God of his deliverance as his strength, his rock and fortress in whom he trusts, He is his strength, shield, stronghold and horn of his salvation….

I will love You, O LORD: This was a triumphant declaration made in a season of victory both personally & publicly. David simply felt compelled to love the LORD who delivered him so wonderfully. Since he was taken from the sheepfold and anointed the future king of Israel, David had lived some 20 or so years as a fugitive, and as a man who had lost everything. He lost his safety, he lost his youth, he lost his family, he lost his career, he lost his rights, he lost his comforts. Despite great loss, he remained steadfast to the Lord his God – in His timing – God delivered David and fulfilled the long-ago promise of his anointing, giving him the throne.

In saying, “I will love You,” David used a somewhat unusual word. “This word for love is an uncommon one, impulsive and emotional. Found elsewhere only in its intensive forms, it usually expresses the compassionate love of the stronger for the weaker. It has special depth and tenderness.” David said, “I will love You” to the God who delivered him; not only for rescuing him from his trial, but for all God did in and through the trials to make him what he was. David wasn’t bitter against God, as if he said, “Well, it’s about time You delivered me.” Instead he was grateful that the years of trouble had been necessary in his life to provide wisdom & a great example of God’s provision for his children.

The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer: A rock was of help to the ancient Judean in several ways. It could provide essential shade, always needed in the merciless sun and heat of the desert (as in Isaiah 32:2). It could provide shelter and protection in its cracks and crevasses (as in Exodus 33:22 and Proverbs 30:26). It could provide a firm place to stand and fight, as opposed to sinking sand (as in Psalm 40:2). David saw his God as his strength reminding us of the promise later expressed through Paul: Be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might (Ephesians 6:10).  For all these facts, we should put our trust in Him, Hebrews 2:11-13, but also because we have his holiness given to us by Christ.

Notes for Bible Discussion, Gold Canyon Church of Christ, 23 Dec. 2018

v1, “A prayer of David. Protect me, O God, for I have taken shelter in you…”

David wants divine protection because he has remained loyal to God. He praises God for his rich blessings, and is confident God will vindicate him and deliver him from death. None of us takes shelter in something we don’t trust. When it comes to death, who can we trust? Romans 8:37-39. He experienced many hardships because he remained faithful to God. Nevertheless, he also knew that life lived after another god was even more difficult. This is the same attitude of Peter in John 6:66-69, when he said “Lord, to whom shall we go?”

v4, “their troubles multiply; they desire other gods. I will not pour out drink offerings of blood to their gods, nor will I make vows in the name of their gods…”

Offering your own blood is a senseless sacrifice of self, which must be appalling to Christ whose blood was offered for us in the first place! Even today some Roman Catholics whip themselves to blood, offering their blood to their twisted conception of God. This should move us to rejoice for the blessing of redemption we sing about. There is no need for a self-inflicted martyrdom spirit in the church, but if we were called upon by a hateful world to sacrifice our self, we should have an open prayerful heart on the prospect, considering Christ’s love for sinful persecutors.

v7, “I will praise the Lord who guides me; yes, during the night I reflect and learn…”

Our heart should always be open for instruction, Romans 12:2, as Paul encouraged Christians to “renew the mind”.

v9-10, “Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption.”

David described another benefit of his life decision to set the LORD as his goal. It was the confidence of God’s care and blessing in the life beyond this one. David had the settled hope (a confidence, not a simple wish), that God would not leave his soul in the grave (Sheol), but that his life would continue on in the presence of God. This statement is a wonderful declaration of trust in a resurrection and afterlife. In the New Testament, we know that Jesus Christ brought life and immortality to light (2 Timothy 1:10). Wonderfully (and perhaps unknowingly), David spoke beyond himself. In one sense David was indeed the Holy One of God, whose soul would not be left in the grave. Yet in a greater and more literal sense, only Jesus Christ fulfills this in His resurrection. This was perceived by Peter on the Day of Pentecost, who said that these words went beyond David who was obviously dead, buried in a grave, and whose body had long ago decayed into dust (Acts 2:25-31). In quoting and applying this passage from Psalm 16 to the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, Peter showed a remarkably sophisticated understanding of the work of Jesus on the cross. He understood that because Jesus bore our sin without becoming a sinner, He remained the Holy One, even in His death. Since it is incomprehensible that God’s Holy One should be bound by death, the resurrection was absolutely inevitable. As Peter said: It was not possible that He should be held by death (Acts 2:24).

v11, “You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” The apostle Paul was good at keeping himself reminded and refreshed with the presence of Christ in his daily life, so he could tell Christians to “rejoice in the Lord always” (Php. 4:4) John declares from his vision in Revelation 22:5, that our reign in Christ is eternal, it is better than having more good days than bad, because it is one eternal perfect day. That is real joy!