Day 92: Psalms 6,9,10,14,16,21

Today's reading consists of 6 Psalms all written by David. Reading these Psalms, and others, gives us insight into the heart of David that the historical record of the events can't. I appreciate so much his honesty with God. When he is frustrated, impatient or simply angry with God, he says so...

My soul is in deep anguish.
   How long, LORD, how long? (6:3)

But we also see that he has absolute confidence that no matter how long it takes God is, and will always be, the One on whom we can depend...

The LORD reigns forever;
   he has established his throne for judgment.
He rules the world in righteousness
   and judges the peoples with equity.
The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed,
   a stronghold in times of trouble.
Those who know your name trust in you,
   for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.  (9:7-10)

Psalm 9 closes with a phrase that really jumped off the page at me. It's something that is so obvious on its face but for some reason its also something that we all have a tendency to forget...

...let the nations know they are only mortal. (9:20)

In Psalm 10 David returns to expressing his pain...

Why, LORD, do you stand far off?
   Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?  (10:1)

God refers to David as "a man after my own heart" (Acts 13:22). I find this extremely encouraging when I read psalms such as this one where David feels like God has abandoned him.

Another verse that sort of jumped out at me is this one...

I say to the LORD, “You are my Lord;
   apart from you I have no good thing.”(16:2)

I feel like this verse reminds of one of my biggest problems. If I'm totally honest, deep down inside, I think I'm pretty good. It's so easy to fall into the trap of comparing myself with others instead of with God's holiness. The truth is that my "goodness" is garbage.

Another highlight of today's reading is a passage that is quoted by the apostle Peter as he is preaching the very first gospel sermon on the day of Pentecost in Acts chapter 2. From this we learn that this is a Messianic prophecy of Jesus' resurrection...

...you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
   nor will you let your faithful one see decay.  (16:10)

In yesterday's reading of 2 Samuel 1-4 David is still dealing with the remnants of Saul's family who think they should have the throne and ultimately David overcomes them. Psalm 21 seems to come directly out of that time in David's life because he refers to himself in the 3rd person as "the king" and gives credit to God for the victory he has experienced...

The king rejoices in your strength, LORD.
   How great is his joy in the victories you give! (21:1)

For the king trusts in the LORD;
   through the unfailing love of the Most High
   he will not be shaken.  (21:7)