November 1, 2017 (Wednesday)
Last Wednesday, I wrote about the 59th Psalm, publishing it in the New International Version of the Bible. It so happens that each Wednesday I write a blog about the Bible Study for the Wednesday evening service. Last week, our service was canceled. We are taking it up again this evening, and I decided to publish the blog again, this time in the Contemporary English Version (CEV), (Omitting the verse numbers and presenting them in paragraphs instead).
David was loyal to King Saul, but the king suddenly wanted to kill David, so the young “king-to-be” ran away to his house. Saul had his house put under surveillance, planning to kill David the next morning. During the night, however, David’s wife, Michal, helped him escape. He stayed nearby and counseled with Jonathan, his friend and son of King Saul, who advised him to run for his life. David became a fugitive, hunted by the king and his men, for a very long period of time.
This Psalm reveals the strong emotions of David, and his dependence upon God.
A Prayer for Protection
Psalm 59
Save me, God! Protect me from enemy attacks! Keep me safe from brutal people who want to kill me. Merciless enemies, Lord, are hiding and plotting, hoping to kill me. I have not hurt them in any way at all. But they are ready to attack. Do something! Help me! Look at what’s happening.
Lord God All-Powerful, you are the God of Israel. Punish the other nations and don’t pity those terrible and rebellious people. My enemies return at evening, growling like dogs roaming the city. They curse and their words cut like swords, as they say to themselves, “No one can hear us!” You, Lord, laugh at them and sneer at the nations.
You are my mighty fortress, and I depend on you. You love me and will let me see my enemies defeated. Don’t kill them, or everyone may forget! Just use your mighty power to make them tremble and fall. You are a shield for your people.
My enemies are liars! So let them be trapped by their boastful lies. Get angry and destroy them. Leave them in ruin. Then all the nations will know that you rule in Israel. Those liars return at evening, growling like dogs roaming the city. They search for scraps of food, and they snarl until they are stuffed.
But I will sing about your strength, my God, and I will celebrate because of your love. You are my fortress, my place of protection in times of trouble. I will sing your praises! You are my mighty fortress, and you love me.