The issue of “soul-talk” comes up often in the Psalms, but perhaps no more clearly than in this Hymn of David. By “soul-talk” we are referring to what we tell our soul or inward man. The soul in turn talks to us, instructing us how to think as various situations arise during our day. Our inward man may at times tell us things that are not true. It may repeat something we used to think but which we have come to know is not according to the renewed mind (Rom. 12:2). Or it may tell us what the world around us has said, but which does not fit Scripture. We need to instruct and correct our soul so it will speak truth to us.
Someone is telling David to “flee” in fear and panic, to “focus” on the power of the wicked, and to “fret” over the what ifs (v1b-3). In the NKJV the quotes are only around one line (“Flee as a bird to your mountain”?) But perhaps the entire section should be in quotes (remember, the quotation marks were not in the Hebrew). At least we know that clear through v3 we are hearing the call to fear.
Who is saying this to David? It seems that this is advice he is getting from the wicked themselves. This is certainly not the way a believer should think. But it is possible that he is saying this to himself. It may have been his first thought to some sudden or extreme crisis. His mind spoke panic to his soul; his soul lost courage; and now David questions his very own thoughts. Whatever the case we should see ourselves in this. We must remember that every thought we have is not necessarily true. They must be evaluated and rejected or affirmed based on the truth of Scripture. We must cast down everything that exalts itself against God and every thought needs to be made captive to Christ (2 Cor. 10:4-6).
Let us also see ourselves in what David is hearing. When problems come we very often first have a thought that we should “flee” the situation. But in fact this is quite often not the will of God for us. As David will point out later, God tests us. To flee is to fail the test. We want to flee because our focus is on what the wicked are doing and how seemingly unstoppable they are. In weakness we try to analyze the situation and all we come up with are “what ifs” that are ominous; we have no answer. Thus we think we need to move or leave or run.
How does David deal with this loss of strength in his soul, the gnawing in the pit of his stomach? In the beginning of the Song he makes a terse statement of the truth and the rebuke that truth pronounces on all his fearful thoughts. “How can you cay these things! I have put my trust in the LORD!” This is the bottom line. But when we say it’s the bottom line we do not mean it’s all we need to say to our inner man or to those around us. Sometimes we may encourage someone to trust God in their problem. But what our faith needs is a reminder of what it means to put our trust in the LORD. What is it about the LORD that is so important? David does this in magnificent, broad and clear statements. There is no room for confusion, no eternal struggle with “the problem of pain”, nor any thought about what David must do to resolve the crisis. He speaks of the LORD!
· v4a: He first paints a picture of the Sovereign LORD. He is both in His sanctuary, the place where He is worshiped continually; and He is on His throne. David knew something of what John saw in Rev. 4. Read that short chapter so you can know the LORD in truth and can correct your fearful soul.
· v4b: David then tells his soul that God sees everything. His throne and temple are in heaven; the LORD doesn’t miss a thing. Quite often our fears are based on questions about “how long” before God will act? Or we wonder, “where is God when I need Him”? These are foolishly based on the lie that God is far removed from the lives of His people. God does not miss a thing.
· v5-6: Then David gives the clear answer as to God’s purpose and perspective. This is a “black and white” picture. We struggle often because we allow ourselves to see so much “grayscale”. We do not know what God’s detailed plan and purpose is in a situation. And yet we do! We know that He tests the righteous and His soul hates those who love violence. This crisis we are in is a test of faith. As we walk through it with God we will grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. And as we walk we can know, for certain, God will bring judgment to bear on the wicked. The length and severity of the trial, things we do not know, should in no way cloud this clear picture!
· v7: Why does David so clearly see all this? Because he knows the LORD! The LORD is righteous; the LORD loves righteousness; and the LORD is close to the upright. And friends, there it is again: if our minds are renewed so our theology is right, then we will face life successfully. We see it often, the advertising slogan, “No fear!” This is not an advertising slogan. This is substance. These are thoughts based on absolute truth!
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