It is essentially a song of praise, similar to the worship music we sing today.
“Keep me safe, my God, for in you I take refuge. I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.’ Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure. I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.”
(v1,2,5,7-9a,11)
This Psalm speaks about some of the roles God is playing in David’s life:
– Refuge: David is safe in God’s presence
– Moral Guide: apart from God David has no good within, and he keeps his gaze on God
– Provider: God is David’s sole source of provision (portion and cup)
– Security: God keeps David’s lands and possessions secure
– Counselor/Instructor: even when David sleeps
– Strength: David gets strength and courage from God (will not be shaken)
– Love: if David is filled with joy and peace in God’s presence, this can only be experienced through God’s overwhelming love, grace and mercy
– Infinite Unmatched One: David acknowledges God’s infinite nature (eternity) and says he will not make offerings no anyone else (v4 omitted from above)
Seeing all of these roles and characteristics of God reminds me that we are designed by God to be in relationship with Him. This culture teaches us that these needs we have (provision, love, security, etc) can be met in a variety of ways, and we can be self-sufficient. When we try to meet these needs through the ways of this world we will most likely find incomplete, dissatisfying solutions (in the long run, though they may work short-term). God on the other hand, longs to give us all of these things, free of charge, and only asks for our love in return. That sounds like a good deal to me.
My prayer for today is that I continue to fully rely on God for everything. Since I’m designed to be dependent on Him (not on this world), in His presence is the only place I will find complete satisfaction, joy and peace that last (eternally).
~ Conqueror in Training