Water to the Soul!

This beautiful psalm is one of those with a brief historical introduction: “A psalm of David. When he was in the Desert of Judah.” This gives it a dramatic setting. David has fled from King Saul who tried three times to kill him. He now has a robber band of 400 malcontents with him (1 Sam. 22:2) and has come back close to home, the desert of Judah, in response to the advice of the prophet Gad (1 Sam. 22:5). This is really dangerous. Saul quickly hears where he is, interprets David’s move as aggression (1 Sam. 22:13) and as a result murders all the priests of the sanctuary at Nob, who had supported David. No wonder David’s men say to him, “Here in Judah we are afraid!” (1 Sam. 23:3). They are even more dubious about David’s next proposed move, against the Philistines. How can they be safe there?

This is the setting for this beautiful psalm of trust. We might think that David would be wanting extra forces, supplies, weapons, friends — anything to give some security in the midst of such danger. But no, he thirsts and longs for God! He has seen God’s power and glory in the sanctuary (2), probably in the sanctuary at Nob, revealed through the loyalty of his friends there. That’s what he wants, far more than physical resources. If he can be sure of God’s love for him, that will be the richest meal imaginable, a feast in the desert (3-5). In great danger, he nonetheless sings “in the shadow of your wings” (7), confident that God will rescue him from his enemies (9,10) and that one day he will be king, as God has promised (11).

What an amazing testimony! Here is passionate, expectant faith which lets God be God. If God will deliver him, what danger can possibly threaten him?

Let David’s faith and confidence nourish yours. In what area of your life do you need this same strong faith?