Read Psalm 59:1-9

According to the ancient note at the head of this psalm, David wrote it when King Saul sent men to watch David’s house, waiting for an opportunity to kill him (1 Sam. 19:11-17).

David’s wife was Michal, King Saul’s daughter. Michal warned David to flee from her father, helping him escape by letting him down from a window of their house. David made good his escape, running to the great prophet Samuel to whom he told all his troubles (1 Sam. 19:18).

From such distress came this piece of David’s poetry, asking God to deliver him from his enemies (vv. 1, 2). He calls God’s attention to the way “fierce men” conspire against him even though he has done no wrong (vv. 3, 4). Describing his enemies as “snarling dogs” who “spew swords from their lips” (vv. 6, 7), he describes God’s reaction to the evil persons who seem so strong. David observes that they are no problem for the Lord. He laughs at them (v. 8).

Then comes David’s high moment. “My Strength,” he calls God. “My fortress, my loving God” (v. 9). Author Leslie Weatherhead translates the first part of v. 9, “God will meet me at every turn.”

We may have actual enemies, people who wish us harm. More likely our enemies are creatures like doubt, depression, uncertainty, exhaustion. Your strong defender can meet you at every turn in these battles, lovingly going before you.

Read Psalm 23:1-6

God’s sufficiency. It cries to us from every part of the Bible.

The Psalms have more different authors than any other book of the Bible. All are unanimous in declaring that God is able to meet our needs. From David’s Psalm 23 with its timeless picture of God as our shepherd to the unknown author of Psalm 116 who humbly testifies, “The Lord protects the simplehearted” (Psalm 116:6), we read that God can and will help us. The Sons of Korah—those important musicians—write in Psalm 42, “By day the Lord directs his love, at night his song is with me…” (Psalm 42:8).

Who has not echoed Moses’ prayer, “Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations” (Psalm 90:1)? “I will go with you,” God said to Moses, both when he went to Egypt and when he returned with all of Israel following him (Ex. 3:11-12; 33:14). Ezra found God’s security amid the ruins of Jerusalem after the Babylonian captivity (Ezra 8:22; 9:9).

The story of God’s faithfulness continues in the New Testament. Jesus meets real physical need in feeding the 5,000 (Mark 6:35-44). We hear Paul’s timeless cry, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Phil. 4:13KJV). And finally, His promise to the redeemed, “God will wipe away every tear from their eyes” (Rev. 7:17).

We can trust God “all the days of my life” (Psalm 23:6).

Read Psalm 23:1-6

Is Psalm 23 the best-known passage in the Bible? Even those who make no pretence of serving our God may recognize David’s durable words, “The Lord is my shepherd.”

David was Israel’s greatest king, an able administrator, military leader, musician and poet. But with all his power, a world leader of his day, something never quite hardened at the core of David’s soul. The boy-shepherd who defeated Goliath in God’s strength was still there underneath the sovereign’s robes. He never forgot that it was the Lord who chose him, taking him from the sheep pens to the palace (Psalm 78:70-71).

David outlines in the deceptively simple words of the psalm the bedrock every serious follower of Jesus Christ experiences. In the stress and turmoil of our lives, God gives an inner, holy quietness (v. 2). God gives direction. The Christian life is guided living. In answer to our prayers, the follower of God can have divine help with decisions (v. 3). As another of Israel’s great poets put it, we can hear “a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it’” (Isaiah 30:21). God relieves our fears, because we know our Shepherd is right there (v.4). He meets our needs (v. 5). God satisfies the Christian’s ultimate longings, to be with Him in safety forever (v. 6).

Is there anything new to say about Psalm 23? Just that it’s all still true.

Read Psalm 1:1-6

When I was growing up, a funny old Tudor-style armchair stood in the entry hall of my parents’ home. It was so severe and uncompromising we children called it “the seat of the scornful.”

Psalm 1:1 makes clear the route to the seat of the scornful. First we associate with bad company (“walk in the counsel of the wicked”). We go along just to be agreeable. If we are not careful, we begin to identify with evil (“stand in the way of sinners”). Finally, bad company and evil deeds don’t shock us. We pull up a chair, sit down and get comfortable with wrong doers (“sit in the seat of the scornful”).

Psalm 1 describes the righteous person. He delights in God’s law, he is like a well-watered, fruitful tree, blessing those around him (vv. 2, 3). The lifestyle of the wicked stands in bleak contrast. He dries up, blows away, and cannot make it when called upon to stand before God’s judgment (vv. 4, 5).

In a few words, the author explains what life is about: serve God and succeed, or serve sin and ultimately fail. It makes clear one great theme of the entire book of Psalms. Though we are far below God, yet it is possible for human beings to have communion with God. He loves us. If we love and serve him, God will stay with us through the varying circumstances of our lives.