As a teen, I had a teacher who loved to put the words of
scripture to a tune that we sang frequently.
The text of Psalm 25 was one of the favorites, as it was written in an
echo style of song. “Unto thee O Lord,
do I lift up my soul, O my God, I trust in thee! Let me not be afraid, let not
mine enemies triumph over me.” To this
day, every time I read this passage that tune floods back to me and I find
myself humming the tune and meditating on the truths of the scripture.
The Psalms are poetry- many put to music. Psalm 25 is a sincere and passionate poem
written by a man who knew what it was to need God. Not the kind of “need” we immediately think
of in our 21st century society.
It was the kind of need that comes from a man who has tragically lost a
child. The kind of need that comes from
a man who is leading a nation, and losing control of this own family. David is often honest in his writing about
discouragement and the pressures of his position. His deep dependence on God and his confidence
in the Almighty’s ability to not only see his need and
answer as only He can, speaks of his experience with the grace and mercy of the
Father. He was known as a “man after God’s own heart.” I believe that is because he consistently
sought out the Lord and knew Him on a real and intimate level. May we model David's earnest desire to know God in such a personal way!
14
The friendship
of the Lord is for those who fear him,
and he makes known to them his covenant.
15 My eyes are ever toward the Lord,
for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
and he makes known to them his covenant.
15 My eyes are ever toward the Lord,
for he will pluck my feet out of the net.
16 Turn
to me and be gracious to me,
for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
bring me out of my distresses.
18 Consider my affliction and my trouble,
and forgive all my sins.
19 Consider how many are my foes,for I am lonely and afflicted.
17 The troubles of my heart are enlarged;
bring me out of my distresses.
18 Consider my affliction and my trouble,
and forgive all my sins.
and with what violent hatred they hate me.
20 Oh, guard my soul, and deliver me!
Let me not be put to shame, for I take refuge in you.
21 May integrity and uprightness preserve me,
for I wait for you. –Psalm 25:14-21
I've enjoyed reading your posts this week, Amy! You always give me something to think about. I really like your point about seeking after God's heart by seeking after God Himself.
ReplyDeleteI'm a little confused, though, when you say that David's need for God was different than ours. Human nature hasn't changed over the ages, so why should our need for God change?