Day 114: 2 Samuel 22-23, Psalm 57

David continues to recognize that all the glory for all the things that have been accomplished belong to God. Again, confidence + humility.

David sang to the LORD the words of this song when the LORD delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. He said:
   “The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer;
 my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge,
   my shield and the horn of my salvation.
He is my stronghold, my refuge and my savior—
   from violent people you save me. (2 Samuel 22:1-3)

Naturally, David (warrior, king and artist) expresses his worship in his music.

Sometimes when I read the psalms or other poetry by David (such as this in 2 Samuel 22) I'm a little confused. He is clearly giving glory to God but he also seems to say things that make you think that he is saying that he deserved it. Things like:

The LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness;
   according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me.(2 Samuel 22:21)

It seems like modern theologians go to great pains to separate God's grace and our work...like they are mutually exclusive. It sort of becomes a mental exercise of reason rather than a practical living out of a relationship with God...like David did. We, it seems obvious, are utterly dependent on God's grace. I mean - to adapt a quote from that great theologian, Bill Cosby - "He brought us into this world, He can take us out." But what reasonable person thinks we don't have to exert some effort...a LOT of effort...doing our best to live a life that can be described with words like "righteous" and "clean"?

David seems to bring both aspects of this together...

“To the faithful you show yourself faithful,
   to the blameless you show yourself blameless,
to the pure you show yourself pure,
   but to the devious you show yourself shrewd.
You save the humble,
   but your eyes are on the haughty to bring them low. (2 Samuel 22:26-28)

I want to sing with David...

Have mercy on me, my God, have mercy on me,
   for in you I take refuge. (Psalm 57:1)

I will praise you, Lord, among the nations;
   I will sing of you among the peoples.
For great is your love, reaching to the heavens;
   your faithfulness reaches to the skies. (Psalm 57:9-10)