It is not uncommon for a conflict between those believers in Christ whose faith is based on a literal and traditional understanding of the scriptures and professing Christians who are influenced by alien attitudes toward the Bible. Modern minds often resent or reject the righteous acts of God toward those to whom idols of one kind or another take the place of our Lord's divine authority. They refuse to accept the fact that God inspired the Bible and is the final authority as to God's revealed will to us. Some believe the Bible is an allegory that contains some good teachings and sensible guidance in life, but is not the one authority to which we submit and by which we are to live and conduct our lives.
The psalmist David was in grave peril from those who opposed him. This seems to be a repeated experience in the life of the one God chose to be king over Israel, who was "a man after God's own heart." When a person of faith in Christ lives and moves among those without faith, the contrast in thought, words, and deeds is such that there is very little common ground between them. Even family members find it a great strain to live with godly parents in the same home as ungodly children. There is a whole different attitude toward what life is all about. There is also a very different mind toward what brings pleasure now and what brings lasting joy.
In the tension of the first verses of this psalm, there seems to be a silence from God that stirs the heart of David to make a very urgent appeal. "Be not silent unto me." "Speak to me." "Hear" my urgent call because I am afraid I am going to die if you do not answer. We need mercy that we do not deserve to keep us and preserve us from falling and from death. He was up against those who had deep malice in their hearts toward him, even though they spoke to him like they were friends.
Some appear at first to be favorable to divine things. They pretend friendship, which is pretty easy to do for a while. People often do that to interact with honest people and gain some advantage. Some people attend church gatherings with a hidden agenda that is difficult to see. Some want to do business with people they think may be gullible. They may ask for money or help. Others may offer a "good deal" if you will "let me invest your money for you." Believers in our Lord Jesus Christ must be honest and sincere in our dealings and relationships. We must remember we are servants of the Lord and stewards of all He has entrusted us with.
The Rock of our salvation is the solid foundation upon which our faith and life are built. We stand upon that firm foundation because we know, "That Rock is Jesus; He's the One. That Rock is Jesus, The Only One." The holy oracle is the mercy seat toward which prayer is offered. Christ is our Mercy-Seat. It is through Him and His intercession and mediation that God hears and answers prayer. He is mighty. All power is His. It is in Him we put our trust. He is our protection. He is our strength. He is our Savior. He is the Shepherd of His people who lifts them up.
In David's appeal, there is an urgency for the Lord to intervene where he was found. He needed protection from the ungodly opposition. So, he asks that God do to them what they deserve. Then, he gives thanks for the answers he received from God. The confidence faith has is that God hears and answers prayers according to His will. He does deal justly with the unrepentant, ungodly people who oppose His people with malice in their hearts. Malice will sometimes wait a long time to bring the godly down. But God will deal with the wicked because of their evil works and because they have no appreciation for the Lord and His works.
"The works of the Lord" involved the redemption of Israel and the establishment of Israel as a chosen people. They are unique among the nations. In a sovereign choice, God took them from being small, overlooked people and brought them to where they are today. Small and insignificant in one way, yet the whole world is aware that Israel is unique among the nations. So, in the final verses of this psalm, David expresses His concern for the nation. He understood that there is a responsibility in leadership that cannot be avoided. Those who lead and those who follow that leadership will share the blessings and the consequences of their choices.
As David prayed for the people, he identified their needs precisely. "Save them." They needed the Lord as their Savior, not only from their enemies but from their own sins. "Bless them." Others curse them and take from them that which was rightfully theirs. They needed someone to provide for them what they could not provide for themselves. "Feed them." The One who sustains life is the Lord alone. He provides for the food we eat, the water we drink, and the air we breathe. Our Lord has to give us the spiritual nourishment needed to have joy and peace in an ungodly environment. "Lift them up." Strength, physically and spiritually, comes from our Lord. To function effectively, the Lord's people have to be strong in the Lord. They need their identity to be linked with our Lord Jesus. They need to stand tall without embarrassment and are people "whose God is the Lord."
PSALM 28. God hears the righteous God is our only source of safety when surrounded by wickedness. It is easy for the wicked to show kindness and pretend friendship to gain their own ends. True believers should be straightforward and sincere in all their relationships. We must commit ourselves to prayer. v. 1-5. PRAYER FOR DELIVERANCE FROM DEATH “The pit” means the grave or death. It is natural for God’s children to expect answers even to a prayer of desperation. To “lift up the hands” is an attitude of prayer directed to the most holy place, where God dwells. That is where God gives His answers from. “Draw me not” is a prayer not to be involved in the punishment of the wicked, not to suffer the same fate they will. The prayer is for God to take into account what they deserve. Render to them their just results as to what their lot will be. They regard neither the nature of God nor His works. They have no appreciation for God. They create a situation where harmony and resolution are impossible. v. 6-9. PRAISE BECAUSE GOD HAS HEARD THAT PRAYER (supplication) But God has heard. He has confidence in God’s saving power, and the Holy Spirit gives assurance that God hears. He is fully persuaded that God hears and answers prayers and saves. A song is raised to the Lord for His protection (shield) and His saving strength. The Lord is the One who gives strength to His people. He will continue to preserve them. They are His inheritance, and He takes care of them. He blesses them because they are His own. He feeds them as a father does his children. He lifts them up and maintains them.