David’s Song of Praise
When I started to read this chapter in 2 Samuel, I thought I made a mistake as it reads like one of our many Psalms. Isn’t it interesting to have this chapter in the middle of this complex and sometimes graphic book? It seems to me that most of 2 Samuel (and 1 Samuel too) has been about David’s story of continuous reign over more people and more land. I found this chapter captured my attention enough to reread it several times. David must have been down on his knees praising God for all he had been given and the protection God offered him. David’s reign continued. He was full of Thanksgiving and demonstrated a grateful heart. He made a list of all the reasons to offer praise as he walks through all God had done for him lately. He gave examples of God’s actions and then he again praised him. Let’s walk through the outline of this song together:
God is the Rock, the Shelter:The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer;
3 my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
my shield[a] and the horn[b] of my salvation.
He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—
God heard his cries in time of need: “In my distress, I called to the Lord;
I called out to my God.
From his temple he heard my voice;
my cry came to his ears.
God appeared like a storm when needed: He parted the heavens and came down; dark clouds were under his feet.
11 He mounted the cherubim and flew;
he soared[d] on the wings of the wind.
12 He made darkness his canopy around him—
the dark[e] rain clouds in the sky.
God protected him: “He reached down from on high and took hold of me;
he drew me out of deep waters.
18 He rescued me from my powerful enemy,
from my foes, who were too strong for me.
God showed him the light at the end of a tunnel: You, Lord, are my lamp;
the Lord turns my darkness into light.
God is perfect: As for God, his way is perfect:
The Lord’s word is flawless;
he shields all who take refuge in him.
God carried him through his battles: “The Lord lives! Praise be to my Rock!
Exalted be my God, the Rock, my Savior!
As I was making this outline, it became clear that God could walk through our lives in this same manner. Do we believe he is our rock, our stronghold? Do we always call on him in time of need? He will protect us. He gives us hope during times of despair. He is perfect and carries us through our own battles, big or small. David certainly exalted God. He was thankful that God protected him in time of need and gave him the tools to succeed including strength. We can learn from this lesson and make our own outline of praise for God. As Jillian stated on Monday “sometimes the details of our human lives are graphic, our truth isn’t always Easter white. ” We should offer praise and thanksgiving.
If you did not hear enough praise, we then turn to Psalm 54.
David called for God: Save me, O God, by your name;
vindicate me by your might.
2 Hear my prayer, O God;
listen to the words of my mouth.
God helped fend off evil: Surely God is my help;
the Lord is the one who sustains me.
God helped free David from his foes: I will praise your name, Lord, for it is good.
7 You have delivered me from all my troubles,
and my eyes have looked in triumph on my foes.
Let us remember to be filled with praise for God through our everyday lives. Alleluia. Christ has Risen!