the 59th Psalm : Daily in the Psalms Morning Devotional
Daily in the Psalms : Psalm 59
A Daily Devotional Study of the book of psalms
59
The enemy is real and strong, but he is no
match for the praying and determined child of God. THE ENEMIES OF THE
CHRISTIAN
Deliver me from
mine enemies, O my God: defend me from them that rise up against me.
Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody
men. For, lo, they lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered
against me; not for my transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD. They
run and prepare themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and
behold. Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel,
awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked
transgressors. Selah. They return at evening: they make a noise like
a dog, and go round about the city. Behold, they belch out with
their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say they, doth hear?
But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt have all the
heathen in derision. Because of his strength will I wait upon thee:
for God is my defence. The God of my mercy shall prevent me: God
shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.
Psalms
59:1-10
The Psalmist says
that his enemies were workers of iniquity. This indicates that
wickedness was their main activity. Then he says they were bloody
men. They were seeking his life, though he had done them no wrong.
They acted like a pack of wild dogs scavenging the city, prowling
at night, praying on the feeble and helpless. They lie in wait,
subtle and deceiving in their desires and designs. They were ready
to ambush and destroy his life.
He said, “ the
mighty are gathered against me.” This is not only a
reference to mere strength, but the kind of strength that was daring,
unscrupulous, bold, and determined. He said that they run and
plant themselves as surely and secure as possible. This is a
military term, meaning that they will attack like a well-trained army.
They were settled in their purpose and resolved to do their work.
“Behold, they belch out with their mouth:
swords are in their lips” There was a constant flow
of lies and reproaches coming from them as well as sharp and cutting
words. They were so wholly absent of the fear of God that they
mocked as they said, “Who can hear you?”
All of
these characteristics were present with the enemies of the Psalmist and
they were designed to strike fear in his heart. To defeat him even
before the actual battle began. That is still the character and tactic
of the enemy of God’s people.
This devotion is not intended
to depress the believer, but to remind us that our enemies are not
interested in playing nice; they are out to destroy. We must
understand their ungodliness and know that our only refuge is in the
Lord. May we seek His help today
THE PRAYER OF THE PERSECUTED CHRISTIAN
Deliver me from mine enemies, O my
God: defend me from them that rise up against me. Deliver me from
the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloody men. For, lo, they
lie in wait for my soul: the mighty are gathered against me; not for my
transgression, nor for my sin, O LORD. They run and prepare
themselves without my fault: awake to help me, and behold. Thou
therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all
the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah.
Psalms
59:1-5
He asks God to be his
defence. He seeks to be raised up above the reach of those that
intended to harm him. He wanted also to be raised above the fear
of them. Those who trust in God will dwell on high and have no
reason to fear.
He asks for deliverance. His foes
were many and the danger was great, but he knew God was able to defeat
their designs and deliver him from their hands.
Then he
asks for judgment. “Thou therefore, O LORD God of hosts, the God
of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not merciful to any wicked
transgressors.” When God rises to the aid of His people,
He will smite their foes in His anger.
The greatness of the
danger and the urgency of the need are always strong arguments for God’s
intervention.
David had done no evil against these enemies.
He was bringing this out to the One that searches the hearts of
men, which tells of his true innocence. God would know that he had
not sinned in his heart or in his actions toward these enemies. It
is one thing to appear innocent before men, but it is quite another
thing to know that you are innocent before God. This is a powerful
plea!
David had confidence that all forces, no matter how
great, bow before God. He cannot be overmatched. His
confession of the might and majesty of God and the proclamation of His
Name, adds great force to his request.
David addressed God
and “My God.” Blessed is the person that claims a personal
relationship with God in times of trials and
troubles.
THE CONFIDENCE OF THE PERSECUTED CHRISTIAN
Thou therefore, O LORD God of
hosts, the God of Israel, awake to visit all the heathen: be not
merciful to any wicked transgressors. Selah. They return at evening:
they make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city. Behold,
they belch out with their mouth: swords are in their lips: for who, say
they, doth hear? But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at them; thou shalt
have all the heathen in derision. Because of his strength will I
wait upon thee: for God is my defence. The God of my mercy shall
prevent me: God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.
Psalms
59:5-10
We see that David was not
dismayed by the presence of his enemies, but he was encouraged by the
presence of his God.
His Confidence Was In God’s Infinite
Superiority To His Enemies - “But thou, O LORD, shalt laugh at
them.” To defeat these foes would be a light effort for
God.
His Confidence Was In God’s Sure Defence -
“Because of his strength will I wait upon thee: for God is my
defence.” God is our high place of refuge and safety.
In Him we are absolutely secure, far above the reach of our worst
enemy.
His Confidence Was In God’s Gracious And Timely
Deliverance - God in His loving kindness would come to his rescue.
Countless are the times we have met with the wonderful grace of
God and had our needs met and a refuge secured even before the danger
arose. His grace goes before us, preparing the way for every
difficulty.
The Godly are still subject to trials and
troubles; sometimes these may be bitter. But confidence is with
those that are innocent. Suffering is far more severe when it is
the result of sin and is accompanied with guilt. But it is always
eased by personal integrity.
Happy and blessed are
those that look to God for their deliverance. In Him is all-sufficiency.
God’s Word rings comfort from Heaven, “Greater is He that is with you
than he that is in the world!” “If God be for us, who can be
against us?”
THE DESTINIES OF MEN
Slay them
not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them
down, O Lord our shield. For the sin of their mouth and the words of
their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and
lying which they speak. Consume them in wrath, consume them, that
they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the
ends of the earth. Selah. And at evening let them return; and let
them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city. Let them
wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.
But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in
the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my
trouble. Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my
defence, and the God of my mercy. Psalms
59:11-17
As David prays, he predicts the infliction of God’s judgment upon
his enemies. Then he announces his determination to praise God and
celebrate God’s deliverance.
THE DESTINY OF THE ENEMIES OF
GOD
Their Life Is Filled With Misery
He
proclaims that they would have fruitless wanderings, being scattered by
God’s power. The wicked really do miss the mark in life.
Even when they do have some success, they find no satisfaction in
them.
Their Life Is Filled With Heavy
Afflictions
He says that God will humble them and abase
them. They would be cast down in dishonor.
Their Life Has No Satisfaction
He said
that in the evening they would return and know that heir efforts were in
vain. He was saying that they would receive the disgusting and
painful disappointment they deserved. Wickedness never satisfies its
agents. The evil heart is never rested nor does it find peace.
Their Life Ends In Ruin
“Consume
them in wrath, consume them, that they may not be.” This
is not a contradiction; he prays for his enemies to be ultimately
destroyed, but only after they had become an example of a miserable
existence and a solemn warning to all men of God’s righteous judgment.
The idea here is that God would bring one judgment after another upon
them, bringing them to utter ruin. This was to show that wickedness, if
pursued, always ends in destruction. Again, the Bible rings true,
“Sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” The destruction
of the wicked must be viewed as a just consequence of their sin.
The slander, pride, and cruelty of the enemies of God bring down
upon them the judgments of Heaven. Men fit themselves for ruin with
their wickedness because the judgment of God always ruins
them.
THE DESTINIES OF MEN - CONTINUED
Slay them
not, lest my people forget: scatter them by thy power; and bring them
down, O Lord our shield. For the sin of their mouth and the words of
their lips let them even be taken in their pride: and for cursing and
lying which they speak. Consume them in wrath, consume them, that
they may not be: and let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the
ends of the earth. Selah. And at evening let them return; and let
them make a noise like a dog, and go round about the city. Let them
wander up and down for meat, and grudge if they be not satisfied.
But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in
the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my
trouble. Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my
defence, and the God of my mercy. Psalms
59:11-17
THE DESTINY OF GOD’S PEOPLE
In the midst of his
persecutions and trials, David confidently anticipates his future filled
with praise to God. The Godly always have reason for
praise:
They Have God As The Source Of Their
Strength “Unto thee, O my strength, will I sing”
In God he found all that he needed and to Him was his praise
offered.
They Have God As Their Defence And
Refuge “For thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of
my trouble” “For God is my defence, and the God of my
mercy.” The rich grace of God toward us and His sure
protection for us are the most sufficient reasons for our heartfelt and
grateful praise.
They Have God’s Mercy, Thus His
Power “But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of
thy mercy.” Power without mercy is a terrible thing and
mercy without power is not something from which we can expect to
benefit. God’s power is what helps us and His mercy is the reason
He helps us. When we see these truths, our hearts spring forth in
praise.
They Sing The Songs Of Victory Singing is the
natural expression of gratitude and joy. Singing songs of victory
boasts of the Lord’s love for us and His work on our behalf and it also
invites the praise of others. He said he would sing in the morning.
That refers to our joy and comes the morning after victory.
The Bible uses the morning as a beautiful symbol of the destiny of
God’s people. God will turn the darkness of our suffering into the
beautiful light of the morning of gladness. The wicked are
marching toward a dreaded night while the righteous are marching toward
the light of a joyous day.
God Manifested In These
Destinies The dark destiny of the wicked and the joyous future of the
righteous are both the evidence of the sovereign hand of God. “And
let them know that God ruleth in Jacob unto the ends of the earth.
Selah.” David wanted the world to know that it was a Holy
God that was the Ruler of all nations, not a wicked king like Saul.
The design of all that God does is to convince men that He reigns.
God does not just aim to punish wicked men, but to warn them.
Because of the love and grace of Christ, we are not to seek
revenge upon our enemies. But we must be reminded that wickedness
brings misery and leads to ruin and that righteousness tends to life and
peace and joy.
Please pray for and be present for
the services Sunday. God is doing great things for Victory Baptist
Church. God uses and blesses human instruments, and every member
of our Church can and should have a part in what God is doing.
Start today planning to show up, step up, and do your part.
Plan to sing out and praise the Lord with a heart of gratitude and
gladness for His goodness and mercy. Don’t let the cares of this
world steal your praise.
THE MEDITATION AND PRAISE OF GOD’S PEOPLE
But I will sing of thy power; yea,
I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my
defence and refuge in the day of my trouble. Unto thee, O my
strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.
Psalms
59:16-17
THE SUBJECT OF THEIR
MEDITATION
The Mercy Of
God
Everything that God does and has done should furnish
matter for our delightful meditation. But at the top of the list
is His mercy; it is from His mercy that we draw our deepest consolation,
our richest encouragement, and our most enduring hope. Every one
of us has experienced and has first hand knowledge of His
mercy.
Their Refuge In Times Of
Trouble
It is a wonderful comfort to have refuge in times
of trouble. He is our Rock, our Fortress, our High Tower, our
Shield, our Buckler, and our Dwelling Place in every trouble. He
is always near and gives us our sense of security.
Their Strength And
Confidence In God’s Power
He defends us from all danger
by His power He assists us in our duty by His power It is never by
our own power
May we sing, sing aloud, of His power, mercy,
defense, and refuge today
So Glad To Be So Saved
Danny "Preacher" Bezet Victory Baptist Church 1800
East Archer Rd Baytown, TX 77521 Baytown's Home Of Old Time
Religion