PSALM TWENTY EIGHT

HEARTFELT STRENGTH. 
 
   Reading through this psalm, one gets the impression that David was
always in trouble. Yet upon reflection one realises that, "That's
Life!"  But the song is not just, "Trouble - trouble - trouble."  There
is a lift in the cadence in verse seven. "My heart trusted in Him,
therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth." 
   The singer begins with the heart and trouble. He opens the psalm
with, "Unto Thee I am used to crying - My Rock."  As one reads the
psalm the idea which comes to prominence is that of utter helplessness
and ruin, unless prompt and effective aid comes from God. The sense of
helplessness should always be a help, not a hindrance, to prayer. It
gives our praying a sense of urgency. The proof that prayer is
effective lies in the fact that it is used by successive generations.
But the cry must be from the heart. 
   The heart that truly trusts the Lord will surely cry to Him. The
voice of supplication is the earnest plea from the heart. The
psalmist's cry is, "Don't snatch my soul away with the sinners."  The
Syriac translation of this is, "Number me not with the transgressors." 
This immediately takes our minds to Isaiah 53.9-12. "He made his grave
with the wicked...because he hath poured out his soul unto death; and
he was numbered with the transgressors."  Jesus took our place, and the
heart's cry for deliverance is answered. 
   Whatever God is to one saint - that He is to all saints. David
sings, "God is my strength." So God is the strength of all who believe
Him. Four things God seeks for His people:- 
THEIR DELIVERANCE (Safety). Not just one deliverance, but constant
deliverance. 
THEIR BENEDICTION. Our God blesses us continually. 
THEIR GOVERNMENT & THEIR NOURISHMENT. As a shepherd cares for his
sheep, so the Lord cares for His people. He controls and provides for
us. 
THEIR UPLIFT. He seeks to LIFT us above all foes, fears and perils. The
heart of the believer is brought into an excellent inheritance in the
strength of God. 
   Luther said, "We must always use this psalm against tyrants and
fanatical spirits."  It is true that this psalm ends with a strength
and confidence which comes from a trusting heart. Every believer has
cause to bless and praise God. Not only do we give heartfelt thanks, we
have heartfelt strength. 



Copyright (c) 1995, Hedley Palmer. All rights reserved.



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