In my previous two blogs I targeted the New Testament portion of the readings so I decided in advance that the next one would focus on the Old Testament. This week that landed me squarely in Psalms. For a period in my life I spent a good amount of my daily Bible reading in the book of Psalms. At the recommendation of an older and wiser person that I respected, in addition to wherever I might be reading in the Old or New Testament at the time, I would aim at reading one chapter from the book of Proverbs and five Psalms every day. As there are 31 chapters in Proverbs and 150 chapters in Psalms this approach would result in reading through both of these books once every month. While there were a few times I remember getting to my devotions late in the evening only to discover to my dismay that day’s reading included the 176 verse behemoth, Psalm 119, overall this practice was a beneficial one.
As I was considering this blog over the past week my thoughts turned towards the book of Psalms as a whole. More specifically, I found myself reflecting on David as the author of a good portion of the psalms. Now in several places in Scripture David is described as “a man after God’s own heart” (1 Samuel 13:14; Acts 13:22). Have you ever wondered about that bold proclamation? I have. Now I fully realize that David was a man of faith who accomplished some amazing exploits, both as a shepherd boy and as a king. But whenever I read through the passages that detail his significant failure with Bathsheba and his subsequent cover-up actions that resulted in the death (murder) of her husband, I find myself wondering. I wonder, “how could a man who has sinned so grievously still be described by God as a man after His own heart?” I think that, more so than the record of his incredible feats, the psalms of David help answer that question as they provide some unique insights into the mind and heart of the man.
While the exact number of psalms that David wrote is not known for sure it is safe to say that more than 50% of the 150 recorded in the book of Psalms originated with him. Authoring 75+ psalms is a significant accomplishment. Songs and poetry. I have very little writing experience with either of those two genres. From what I understand, though, creative writing of that nature is typically a very involved, personal and emotional reflective process. That many psalms didn’t just write themselves. This cumulative body of work testifies that David spent a significant amount of time reflecting deeply on all aspects of God and upon his own relationship with Him. That in and of itself is impressive because David was a busy man. Whether he was on the run eluding an angry Saul or ruling a nation David had a lot of things on his plate. Despite that reality he still found/made significant time to meditate on God. That begs the question, how are we doing in that area? What occupies our time? How much time in a day… a week… a month do we sit back and intentionally reflect on God and our relationship with Him?
Secondly, the varied focus of David’s writings also show that he thought a lot about God in both the good times and in the bad. How balanced are we? Do we think about God and remember to praise and thank Him when times are good, or do we tend to mainly run to Him when we need Him to bail us out of another tough situation? Another characteristic of note is that much of David's writings are emotionally raw and honest. He pulls no punches as he pours out his heart to his heavenly Father. How honest are we with God? Do we have the trust and confidence to bare our innermost thoughts and feelings to Him? Then, no matter how high or low David is when he begins a psalm, he always brings it full circle back to praise and thanksgiving by the end. Wherever David's starting point is, his end point is always God. All roads lead to his heavenly Father. Do we have that same single-minded focus, where no matter what the presenting question or concern, the answer, solution and final word is always ‘God’?
Other distinguishing features of David’s psalms? In his writings David consistently exhibits a childlike faith that is absolute in its conviction, sincerity and belief that his Heavenly Father will deliver him in times of distress. He continually demonstrates an unfailing reverence for God's Word and a passion to see it obeyed. David consistently displays a healthy fear of the Lord and approaches Him boldly, yet humbly. David’s writings are filled to overflowing with heartfelt expressions of faith, trust, hope, delight, joy, thanksgiving and praise that leave the reader with one inescapable conclusion. David loved God… deeply, wholly, unconditionally, profoundly, completely. God was always primary; always the focal point, the purpose, the center of David’s life and thoughts. God was David’s friend, confidant, hero, saviour and Lord.
As Scripture’s brutally honest recordings reveal in other passages, David was far from perfect. He was human just as we are. Just like us he was very capable of falling into temptation and sin. But, as 1 Peter 4:8 reminds us, love covers a multitude of sins and King David serves as the poster boy for that particular truth. His intimate reflections on his life and relationship with God, as found in his psalms, gives us instruction, challenge and hope that it’s possible for us too to be a people after God’s own heart.
-Gord Hanson
(Associate Pastor of Administration)