What I Noticed Today (Psalms 17, 35, 54, 63)
Psalm 17
Surrounded by danger, the psalmist prays to be protected from the evils of the world. There is a sense of urgency felt in his three-part appeal: hear, listen, and give ear to the prayer of a righteous man (vv. 1-5). The prayer speaks explicitly of taking refuge in the Lord and asks for protection from those who would ambush him (vv. 6-12).
Psalm 35
Psalm 35 contains three laments for deliverance from enemies.
David first prays for deliverance from those who seek to destroy him (vv. 1-10). Then laments over those who hate him unjustly (vv. 11-18). In the closing verses 19-28, David asks the Lord to deliver him from the wicked and bring justice to the righteous people who have been treated unjustly by the wicked. David asks the people to praise the Lord because the Lord delights in the welfare of His servants.
Psalm 54
Psalm 54 was a prayer of David when he was betrayed by the Ziphites (1 Samuel 23:19) as he is being pursued by Saul.
In verses 1-3, David prays for God to deliver him because strangers had risen up against him.
In verses 4-7, David affirms his confidence and trust in God because God had delivered him from his enemies.
Psalm 63
Psalm 63 is a Psalm of David written at a time when he was in the wilderness of Judah.
In verses 1-2, David describes his soul thirsting for the Lord like a man in the desert thirsts for water, and being separated from the Lord’s sanctuary in Jerusalem.
In verses 3-8, David begins his praise of God, who satisfies his soul and brings joy to his lips. He meditates on God at night in bed, where even there the Lord has upheld him.
In verses 9-11, David predicts that those who oppose him will be overcome, and David will rejoice in the Lord praising Him in song.
What did you notice in your study today? Feel free to visit the website and leave a question or a comment.
