Through The Bible: A new Psalm
Posted by JasonMay 20
This post is part of my yearly journey through the Bible, my schedule can be found here or at the schedule link above. Please feel free to join me.
This is another in the “Through the Bible series.” These posts are thing I have noticed and appreciated as I read through the Bible in Chronological order.I have fallen behind but continue to read in order to get caught up.
This week I have begun reading about David’s flight from Saul and all of the things he did to escape his king. I believe it was whynot42 who first pointed out that reading the psalms along side the narrative brings a great new light to the psalms. I have just read psalms David penned while on the run, and although I have read them before actually knowing that “Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; Though war arise against me, yet I will be confident,” isn’t merely an example or a hyperbole. David was facing an army as he fled, and yet he had confidence in the LORD.
21 Blessed be the LORD,
for he has wondrously shown his steadfast love to me
when I was in a besieged city.
22I had said in my alarm,
“I am cut off from your sight.”
But you heard the voice of my pleas for mercy
when I cried to you for help. (Ps 31:21-22)
I may not have known before that this city was not a metaphorical city but the city of Keilah. (1 Sam 23) This reminds me of taking a tour of Gettysburg when I was in school, although I had read about all of the battles that had taken place there, it wasn’t until I stood on the field where Pickett’s charge took place that it really came to life for me. Although I am not standing in that city, I can make the connection between the Psalms and the historical events, and the Word of God becomes that much more alive.
Lastly, the intro to Psalm 34 says “Of David, when he changed his behavior before Abimelech, so that he drove him out, and he went away,” but I don’t know if I would have put it together before. (1 Sam 21)
Have you ever had a moment where God completely pulls your butt out of the fire? A situation where you are not going to make it if God doesn’t pull through? Do you remember the feeling of exhilaration when God answered your prayers? This is the pure adrenaline that David is expressing, not simply a side thought but an in the moment praise of the LORD. I, for one, am so glad to be reading the Bible in this order as it is given me fresh insight on passages that had sadly become trite.
2 comments
Comment by Jason on May 20, 2008 at 10:13 am
Just as an amendment to this post, I have continued to find this concept true. As I read what David was going through as he wrote the psalms they have a much deeper meaning to me.
I can’t recommend this enough.
Comment by whynot42 on May 21, 2008 at 8:36 am
Let me begin by saying, “I am so proud of you Jason, and thankful that you have decided to pick-up the thru the Bible.”
Have I ever had a moment where God has pulled my butt out of the fire? Absolutely. I had one of those experiences one only shares w/those who won’t think that one is from another planet. But, the experience is an altar building moment on the journey.
It was a time when I had a dream. One of those dreams different from others. I passed through a series of moments where I was reminded of things that I had done in my life that denied Jesus as my Lord and Savior. It brought such remorse that I awoke crying. Not the type of crying someone does while dreaming which resembles a wimpering suggesting crying in a dream. But, a full out wailing with tears overflowing. I was in such grief at what I had caused God.
In a very surreal sort of way, I had a remembering. I say surreal, because: I remembered a series of incidents that came to me in one “instant” and yet they were in a chronoligical order. Also- at the same instant I heard that “voice” of God saying, “Darlin’, remember these times, when you thought that we were living apart. I was with you then. I protected and delivered you.”
Lastly, if you would pay attention as you catch-up, in particular to “numberings”. 1 chronicles 21:1-30 May 8th, and 1 Chronicles 27:23-24. Are these the same numberings. If so, there seems to be some conflict in who did what when, and why. One thing was answered for me though. I could never understand why it was such a bad thing. It appears to me one issue was having faith in God’s promises. One of those not the act so much as the attitudal motivation.
Again, thanks so much.