When we are studying the life of David, our main source are the two books which in our Bibles are labelled First and Second Samuel. We are provided with the narrative of the events following Saul's jealous rage against David which are recorded from 1 Samuel 18 onwards. David was the anointed king but he was on the run from a madman intent on his assassination. He was forced to seek refuge in a forest, a cave or a craggy rock. Saul was becoming more desperate to rid himself of his rival to the throne of Israel. However, some of the psalms provide some insight into David's spiritual life at this time. For today's Day Share we are going to go back to the book of Psalms to find a Psalm written by David at this desperate time in his life. At the beginning of Psalm 34, there is an inscription which gives us some idea of when this psalm was written.
Written by David, when he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, causing the king to send him away. [This is how the inscription is translated in the New English Translation]
In 1 Samuel the king of the city of Gath is called Achish and he may also have another name which is used in the Psalms. Here he is called Abimelech. However, the inscription clearly identifies this psalm with the incident which we studied in the Day Share called, "David seems to have lost his faith, Monday 3rd February 2025." What is clear that this psalm is written by a man who is in a better spiritual condition than David was when this incident occurred. There has been a time of repentance - David has acknowledged his fears and anxieties before God and he has been restored to fellowship with God. He describes this experience in verse 4 of Psalm 34.
I sought the Lord ’s help and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. [Psalm 34:4 NET]
I want to point out that the NET Bible has added the word 'help' to make it easier to understand the verse but the word help is not in the original Hebrew text. David sought the Lord. You might think that I am splitting hairs - and they are in short supply in my case! I want to suggest that this is more than just a cry from someone in distress - though he was obviously crying for help. This is the prayer of a man who has realised that he needs to get back to fellowship with God. He has been out of touch with God and he repents of his sin and he now knows the blessing of communion with God - God answers his prayer. He acknowledges that the problem is his fears - but when he turned to the Lord he experienced deliverance from his fears.
He gives us a bit more detail of this experience in other verses
This oppressed man cried out and the Lord heard; he saved him from all his troubles. The Lord ’s angel camps around the Lord ’s loyal followers and delivers them. [Psalm 34: 6-7]
David was an oppressed man or a poor man. He was in a helpless state - he had no food when he was at Nob and he was desperate for food. He had no weapons and he took the sword which he had previously used to behead the giant and which was stored in the house of the Lord. He had nowhere to go in safety and he had no one to help him - at least that is how David had viewed the situation. So he turned to the Lord for help and acknowledging his sinful state. David then experienced the blessing of divine deliverance and protection. He sees that those who are loyal to God are in a bubble - they are protected by the Lord's angel. By the time David has written Psalm 34, he has realised that prayer is essential but it is also effective.
The godly cry out and the Lord hears; he saves them from all their troubles. The Lord is near the broken-hearted; he delivers those who are discouraged.
Psalms 34:17-18 NET
There is an interesting reference to lying and deception in this Psalm. Remember David's behaviour at Gath when he had been forced to pretend he is insane in order to save his life. Remember that he had previously lied to Ahimelech the priest in God's house at Nob. He had pretended he was on a secret mission with Saul's approval. I also suggest that he lied about having companions with him. David has now realised that the man or woman who is trusting in God does not need to lie.
Come children! Listen to me! I will teach you what it means to fear the Lord . Do you want to really live? Would you love to live a long, happy life? Then make sure you don’t speak evil words or use deceptive speech! [Psalms 34:11-13 NET]
He has also grasped that there is no need to lie or scheme in order to get essential foodstuffs. God's supermarket has shelves which are well stocked. One divine title is El Jireh which means 'the Lord will provide. '
Even young lions sometimes lack food and are hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
[Psalms 34:10 NET]
I have deliberately rearranged the order of this amazing Psalm. It begins in a note of praise which distinguishes it from many other psalms which begin in a mood of lament or even despair. Here are the opening words of Psalm 34.
I will praise the Lord at all times; my mouth will continually praise him. I will boast in the Lord ; let the oppressed hear and rejoice! Magnify the Lord with me! Let’s praise his name together! I sought the Lord ’s help and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. [Psalms 34:1-4 NET]
We are not told exactly when David experienced this change of heart. It may have been a gradual process or it may have happened suddenly. My suggestion is that, in God's providence, David found himself in a good place to reflect, not only on his situation, but more importantly on the Lord whom he had trusted since his boyhood experiences on the hillside guarding his sheep against predators. In the next Day Share we will visit David in the God-given shelter he had provided for him - not a palace or a hotel - but a cave. The important thing was that he had time to meditate and reflect.
While I was working, it was very challenging for me to find time alone with God to pray and study His Word. Retirement has its benefits. It is vital for our spiritual wellbeing that we maintain good habits of prayer, Bible study and reflecting on God's word.
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