HIS MARVELLOUS KINDNESS

The earlier verses of this psalm tell of the harrowing circumstances under which it was written: “Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me”, v. 4; “thou hast considered my trouble; thou hast known my soul in adversities”, v. 7; “I am in trouble; mine eye is consumed with grief’, v. 9; “my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed”, v. 10. Read also verses 12-13.

What a vivid portrayal of distress and adversity! Yet it throws into relief the triumphant note of our closing passage, vv. 19-24. How did David scale such heights of assurance from such depths of despair? By reminding himself of the source of all comfort, “Thou shalt hide them (that fear thee) in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues”, v. 20. These words remind us of the sublime statement in Psalm 91. 1, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty”. Believers today have direct access into that same secret place, for the Lord Jesus taught His disciples, “But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly”, Matt. 6. 6.

Which of us has not felt at times as David did, when he wrote, “Oh that I had wings like a dove! for then would I fly away, and be at rest”, Psa. 55. 6. It is very tempting to run away from our problems, to leave the sphere of present heartache (the assembly, the neighbourhood, the place of work, the town, the school or college). But even the world knows the dangers of stepping “out of the frying pan into the fire”.

If we must retreat, let it always be into the presence of God. There we shall get things back into perspective and gain new resources of peace, assurance and strength. Expositors suggest that Keilah, 1 Sam. 23. 1, is the “strong city” of verse 21; then David is saying that even in such a hazardous scene God had shown to him “his marvellous kindness”.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you … Let not your heart be troubled”, John 14. 27.