Psalms

Psalms 59: God is the merciful stronghold

Begin in prayer

Before we hear the threats outside David's house, let us turn to the God who hears every word. Pray that the mercy found in Jesus would teach us to wait for God as our stronghold.

who brings me away from my enemies. Yes, you lift me up above those who rise up against me. You deliver me from the violent man.

2 Samuel 22:49

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that God hears every threat, judges evil and is the merciful stronghold of His people. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David asks deliverance when Saul sends men to watch his house and kill him. He protests that he has done no wrong to deserve their attack and calls on the God of Armies to judge wicked traitors. The enemies prowl like dogs at evening, speaking threats as though no one hears, yet the LORD laughs at them. David watches for God as his strength and high tower, trusting His loving kindness to go before him. He asks that enemies be scattered so his people remember, then consumed in wrath so God's rule is known to the earth's ends. The prowling enemies return in the song. Yet David resolves to sing in the morning to the God who has been his refuge and mercy.

As you read Psalms 59, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God is His people's merciful stronghold, and His judgment makes His rule known throughout the earth.

Saul's men watched David's house for a morning attack, while his wife Michal warned him and helped him escape through a window. His protest of innocence concerns the wrong Saul claims against him, so he asks the true Judge to act. The prowling dogs picture relentless men whose threats and lies assume that no authority hears them. God's laughter answers that pride, showing how little their plans can threaten His rule. While they watch for David, he watches for God as his high tower and the mercy that goes before him. He asks no mercy for wicked traitors, first seeking their scattering so his people will not forget God's judgment. The later plea for consuming wrath also stands, seeking an end that makes God's reign over Jacob known throughout the earth. Their sinful speech and pride become reasons for the judgment they thought no one would bring. Against their evening prowling, David sets morning praise for the strength and loving kindness of the God who has been his refuge.

How does Psalm 59 show us that God is His people's merciful stronghold, and His judgment makes His rule known throughout the earth?

God hears the threats His enemies think are hidden.

The men watching David's house speak as though no one can hear them. Their words and plans are open before the LORD who laughs at their pride. David therefore brings their threats to the God who rules over them.

God's judgment makes His rule known throughout the earth.

David asks God to scatter the wicked so His people remember. He also asks for consuming wrath that will make God's rule known to the earth's ends. Their pride and lies will meet the justice they ignored.

God's loving kindness gives His people refuge and praise.

David watches for God while enemies watch to harm him. The Lord goes before him with loving kindness and has been his high tower in distress. He resolves to sing of that strength and mercy in the morning.

Memorise

To you, my strength, I will sing praises. For God is my high tower, the God of my mercy.

Psalm 59:17

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what threatening words have I heard more closely than the promises of Jesus?

David calls Him “the God of my mercy.” Armed men have watched for his death, yet he watches for the Lord as his strength. He expects the morning to hear praise for the loving kindness that has been his refuge.

Our pride also acts as though God will never call our words to account. Jesus bore His people's punishment and died for them, satisfying the judgment their sins deserved. He rose victorious from death. The whole debt is paid, and His people have a secure welcome before God through the rescue He accomplished.

Turn from your proud rebellion and seek mercy through Jesus. Jesus shelters repentant sinners with forgiveness when they seek their lasting safety in Him. Confess the proud words you have excused, and bring Him the threats that fill your mind. The merciful stronghold remains near to everyone trusting Christ, giving His people reason to sing through the fears of the night.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God hears every threat, judges evil and is the merciful stronghold of His people. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that He is His people's merciful stronghold and that His rule will be made known. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

While I was with them in the world, I kept them in your name. Those whom you have given me I have kept. None of them is lost, except the son of destruction, that the Scripture might be fulfilled.

John 17:12

God of mercy and strength, You hear the threats that frighten Your people and the proud words we excuse. Please lead us to repentance and trust in Jesus for pardon. Shelter those in danger and make Your righteous rule known. Teach us to watch for You, and give Your people songs of loving kindness through the night. Amen.