Tag Archives: Fortress

Aug 14 2013

Psalm 59 – My Fortress

King Saul grew insanely jealous of David because of David's success and the praise people heaped upon him. Before long, Saul made plans to murder David. Eventually Saul's daughter Michal, who was also David's wife, helped David escape (1 Samuel 19).

King Saul grew insanely jealous of David because of David’s success and the praise people heaped upon him. Before long, Saul made plans to murder David. Eventually Saul’s daughter Michal, who was also David’s wife, helped David escape (1 Samuel 19).

According to the superscription, this is another psalm sung to the tune of “Do not destroy.” It also says that it was written at the time when Saul sent men to watch his house to kill him (this occurred in 1 Samuel 19). The psalm fits with that time in his life, if for no other reason, because of his claims of innocence from sin for these events. Verses 3-4 say that they lie in wait and “for no transgression or sin of mine, O Lord, for no fault of mine, they run and make ready.”

Verses 8-10 demonstrate David’s trust in the Lord through all of this, as he says that God laughs at them, and proclaims Him as his fortress in His steadfast love. David then asks God not to kill them because the people would just soon forget. Instead, he wants them subdued so that their punishment can serve as an example to his people.  The verses about them wandering about for food, but not getting their fill are allusions to the comparison he made of them to howling dogs in verse 14. David himself is the prey they seek. But David is unafraid and again promises to sing of God’s strength – his fortress.

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy
___________________
some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please note: I did not design the reading plan that I am following in my blog.  All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility.  When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules, as well as a link to the site where you can get the reading plan that I’m currently following for yourself can be found on the “Bible Reading Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com.  

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Jun 17 2013

Psalms 91 – My Refuge and My Fortress

Moses_003Psalm 91 is generally considered to be another psalm of Moses; and even Spurgeon (who almost always ascribes authorship of all psalms to David) concedes the possibility.  Satan misapplied a quotation of verses 11-12 in one of his temptations of Jesus (see Luke 4:10-11) – “For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.”

This psalm speaks to the care and protection that children of God enjoy under his watch, an example of which is from verse 10 – “no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent.”  This does not mean that Christians are exempt from any misfortune or harm in this life.  It simply means that under God’s watchful care, the faithful will be safely delivered through every situation, even that of death, safely into His loving arms. Consider verses 7-8:

A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
You will only look with your eyes
and see the recompense of the wicked.

This, along with the language of verses 3-6 (deliverance from “the snare of the fowler” and pestilence – and, in verse 10, plague), lend credence to Mosaic authorship, as well as explain the perspective. In the time of God’s judgment on man, those who “dwell in His shelter” have nothing to fear, for He is their refuge and fortress.

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy
___________________
some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please note: I did not design the reading plan that I am following in my blog.  All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility.  When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules, as well as a link to the site where you can get the reading plan that I’m currently following for yourself can be found on the “Bible Reading Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com.  For questions and help, please see the “FAQ” and “Summaries” pages there.