Day 31 | Troi Buchanan
A little background on Psalm 52 and 53:These are responses to one of the darkest moments in Israel’s history. David is on the run from King Saul, fleeing for his life. The King finds out about a group of priests that has aided in David’s escape. Saul responds severely.
1 Samuel 2218 Then the King said to Doeg, “You turn and strike the priests.” And Doeg the Edomite turned and struck down the priests, and he killed on that day eighty-five persons who wore the linen ephod. 19 And Nob, the city of the priests, he put to the sword; both man and woman, child and infant, ox, donkey and sheep, he put to the sword. 20 But one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped and fled after David. 21 And Abiathar told David that Saul had killed the priests of the Lord. 22 And David said to Abiathar, “I knew on that day, when Doeg the Edomite was there, that he would surely tell Saul. I have occasioned the death of all the persons of your father's house. 23 Stay with me; do not be afraid, for he who seeks my life seeks your life. With me you shall be in safekeeping.”
I bring all this up so that our Psalm reading this week can be read in context. David is in a rough place. He blames himself for all of these deaths and his anger toward Saul and the empire is overflowing. David spends both of these Psalms speaking and prophesying against the system and his enemies.
Psalm 521 Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The steadfast love of God endures all the day. 2 Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, you worker of deceit. 3 You love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking what is right. 4 You love all words that devour, O deceitful tongue.Psalm 531 The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, doing abominable iniquity; there is none who does good.
*** Clearly in this text David isn’t referring to your “friendly neighborhood Atheist”, but to a person like Saul who would murder man, woman, and child for his own gain.In the midst of all his anger and frustration, David has this beautiful line.
Psalm 528 But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever. 9 I will thank you forever, because you have done it. I will wait for your name, for it is good, in the presence of the godly.
David is obviously still in the thick of it. He hasn’t seen the light of day yet, but regardless he decides to “trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever.” We live in the middle of what is and what will be. We live in the midst of darkness, but we have access to the light and justice that will be.
Psalm 536 Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When God restores the fortunes of his people, let Jacob rejoice, let Israel be glad.
Today, take courage and place your trust in the Lord, that one day God would restore the fortunes of his people and that we all would rejoice.