Save me. That is a repeated message in the Psalms. I’m also noticing the follow-up response, “For His steadfast love endures forever”. Save me – He will. There are many more nuances in these chapters. In the entire Bible the following is recorded 365 times, “Do not be afraid”. Rescue me is found 150 times (mostly in the Psalms). It is easy to understand when King David was hiding in caves. What a terrible life he had until God established His Kingdom and worked through King David – a man after His own heart. Recorded 136 times is, “His faithful love endures forever”. Repetition is an element of Biblical poetry. Again, “God help me” – 76 times. On March first I read Psalm 60. David and his army are fighting Aramnaharaim and Aram-zobah, and Joab returned and killed 12,000 Edomites in the Valley of Salt. David addresses God with “You have been very hard on us,”…then God says, “But Moab, my washbasin, will become my servant, and I will wipe my feet on Edom”. This is war language in a warring time. In Psalm 62, “So many enemies against one man – all of them trying to kill me….Power, O God, belongs to you; unfailing love, O Lord, is yours. Surely you repay all people according to what they have done”. Psalm 64 – “The godly will rejoice in the Lord and find shelter in him. And those who do what is right will praise him”. Psalm 65, “For you answer our prayers, All of us must come to you (evangelism). Though we are overwhelmed by our sins, you forgive them all (forgiveness). What joy for those you choose to bring near,…You take care of the earth and water it, making it rich and fertile (God sustains His creation)”. Psalm 66 – “Shout joyful praises to God, all the earth!…He watches every movement of the nations; let no rebel rise in defiance. Let the whole world bless our God;…If I had not confessed the sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened. But God did listen!” – He listens to us. There is more evangelism in Psalm 67 – “May your ways be known throughout the earth, your saving power among people everywhere. May the nations praise you, O God (repeated twice more)”. Psalm 68 has such a sweet thought, “Praise the Lord; praise God our savior! For each day he carries us in his arms. Our God is a God who saves!…Summon your might, O God, Display. your power…rebuke these enemy nations -… (then) Sing to the one who rides across the ancient heavens,”. Psalm 69 begins with, “Save me, O God,…humiliation is written all over my face….Passion for your house has consumed me,…When I dress in burlap to show sorrow they make fun of me….Show me favor….answer my prayer with your sure salvation. Rescue me from the mud; (I just have to say how descriptive this is as we all have days that feel muddy)…answer me quickly, for I am in deep trouble! The psalm closes with promises to Jerusalem”. Psalm 70 reminds us of our shame, “Let them be horrified by their shame”. Dear Lord, thank you for your psalms that challenge and comfort us today.
SORRY