It is a blessed experience to prove God. In providence the Lord permits us to go through tribulation and experience suffering in order that we might know by experience that He is a faithful God. It is a blessing to know this academically from our reading of scripture and knowledge of theology that He is a covenant keeping God. It is a greater and more triumphant blessing however to learn practically that this is true; that God was by my side in that bed of sickness and that He stood with me even though all forsook me. This was David’s happy experience, which in turn prompted the 59th Psalm.

The circumstances lay in the beginning of his difficulties with Saul. The King in his jealous rage ordered his men in lie in wait for David at his own house where he was living with his wife Michal, who was also Saul’s daughter. The cunning of Michal, however, saved David’s life and he escaped safely (1st Samuel 19:11-17).

As David reflected upon this incident, however, he recognised the overarching care of God and he composed a song of praise. Some Psalms are inspired prayers for deliverance in a day of extreme difficulty. This Psalm is one of praise after the trial has passed. David never forgot to thank God.

Indeed, as Matthew Henry pointed out by way of exhortation – David’s spirituality never suffered when afflicted. Indeed the opposite was the case. In his suffering he grew taller and stronger for God.

These first eruptions of Saul’s malice could not but put David into disorder and be both grievous and terrifying, and yet he kept up his communion with God, and such a composure of mind as that he was never out of frame for prayer and praises; happy are those whose intercourse with heaven is not intercepted nor broken in upon by their cares, or griefs, or fears, or any of the hurries (whether outward or inward) of an afflicted state.

Matthew Henry

This study will identify the God whom David praised and served. Who is the One Whom we worship? Why is God worthy of our praises? This Psalm teaches us that He is our DEFENCE, our Mercy, our King and our Song!

MY DEFENCE

Because of his strength will I wait upon thee:
for God is my defence.

Psalms 59:9

The power of the state is immense. There are few individuals who can successfully out manoeuvre the arms of the state. This is especially so today with our dependence upon technology from the mobile phone in our pockets to the bank card in our wallets – every movement can be tracked.

While Saul wasn’t quite as sophisticated, he had an army at his disposal and spies that he could employ which exposed David to terrible danger.

As David reflected upon the daunting situation he had been in he was comforted that God was his defence. This is a term that is used militarily of a stronghold, a fortress or a castle. This is a place the soldiers can retreat into and defend more easily. God had been David’s refuge and strength in this day of trouble. He could retreat into the castle constructed of God’s promises build by God’s faithfulness – where he could know peace and victory.

David was alarmed by the injustice of the situation. This is how the song commences. He had done Saul nothing but good; there was no sin, nor lawbreaking on David’s account – he was without fault.

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.

Psalm 59:1-4

His refuge, however, was in the God of justice. He would not suffer his servant to be overwhelmed. He would not stand by and allow the wicked to prosper. He would defend David.

Today the evangelical Church is facing the most intense opposition from the powers of the media, culture and politics upon our convictions and beliefs that we have ever faced since the Williamite Settlement. In the throes of this assault, however, God will always be our strength; no weapon formed against us will ever prosper, if God be for us no one will stand against us successfully.

The same is true of our private battles where we suffer injustice and hurt through no fault of our own. God cannot forsake his own redeemed people.

But now thus saith the LORD that created thee, O Jacob,
and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee:
when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

Isaiah 43:1-2

MY MERCY

The God of my mercy shall prevent me:
God shall let me see my desire upon mine enemies.

Psalms 59:10

David was also comforted by the merciful God upon Whom he could cast his every care. While the word strength relates to the injustice David felt – mercy has regard to the consciousness of his own sinfulness and corruption. Although he did not deserve this treatment at the hands of Saul, David knew that he remained at fault in God’s sight.

Whatever our circumstances, we can never say that we do not deserve the frowning dispositions of providence. In every trial God deals blows that are less than what our sin deserves. Even our chastenings are a mercy because they are a refining pot where we are moulded and changed , purified and equipped for greater service. God never ceases to be merciful.

Mercy removes all pride from our hearts and expresses our utter snd total dependence upon Him.

MY KING

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.

Psalms 59:13

David was suffering because of a cruel, despotic and unjust King. Saul’s reign was limited however by geography and time. His sphere of influence was limited by the finite.

On the other hand David’s God ruled not only in Jacob, presiding over Saul, but He governed towards the ends of the world. The entire universe is under His sphere of influence.

We watch leaders and parties vying for power. We see them struggle to gain momentum and public opinion. We watch leaders rise and decline. We witness nations struggling for supremacy in diplomacy and warfare but our God has no such struggles. He scatters His enemies, he laughs at their ineptitude and consumes them in His wrath.

The sovereignty of God is a constant source of solace in a wicked world. Not only is He sovereign but He is Our King. He acts and intervenes in the affairs of this world on our behalf. All power is at his disposal. The enemy will never out manoeuvre Him. All intelligence is found in Him. He is never taken by surprise. His Kingdom is not dependent upon public support, His throne will never be vacated – He is the eternal God.

MY SONG

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.

Psalm 59:16-17

This song of deliverance concludes with a burst of joy and praise. He sings and sings aloud! He will not be restrained. He repeats so much of his theology and experience in few words as he magnifies the God Who is His defence, refuge, strength and mercy.

It is a remarkable blessing when theology and experience are joined together as one. This is one is the one of the primary outcomes of days of trouble. We learn by experience what God means to us.

Let us with David stop along life’s journey and take time for reflection, gratitude and thanksgiving.