SHOW THY MARVELLOUS LOVINGKINDNESS

This phrase, v. 7, begins an urgent prayer of David, written at a time of intense pressure. He cries for protection from “the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about”, v. 9. He precedes the appeal by earnestly protesting his freedom from guilt—“give ear unto my prayer, that goeth not out of feigned lips”, v. 1. We should cultivate similar sincerity, knowing that God always expects “unfeigned faith” in Himself, 2 Tim. 1. 5, and “unfeigned love of the brethren”, 1 Pet. 1. 22.

We may be surprised by the strength of David’s claim in the early verses, especially in verse 3, “Thou that hast proved mine heart; thou that hast visited me in the night; thou hast tried me, and shalt find nothing” (or “thou hast found nothing” J.N.D.). Moreover, verse 5 is not a request (as the A.V. suggests) but a claim, “My steps have held fast to thy paths, my feet have not slipped” R.V. If the psalm belongs to David’s outlaw life, it pre-dates his tragic lapses involving Bathsheba and Uriah. We are not invited to sit in judgment on David, however (or on any other believer!). Rather, it will be our wisdom to keep in mind Paul’s warning, “let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall”, 1 Cor. 10. 12. And let us note with approval the secret of David’s upright walk at the time he wrote this psalm, “Concerning the works of men, by the word of my lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer”, Psa. 17. 4.

A remarkable feature of this prayer is its extended description of the God to whom it is offered, “Show thy marvellous lovingkindness, O thou that savest by thy right hand them which put their trust in thee from those that rise up against them”. David was urging the Lord simply to act consistently with His character as revealed by His past deliverances. There lay the foundation of his confidence. Since we possess in the Scriptures a much fuller record of divine activity over the centuries, and have experienced a mightier deliverance than David ever knew, we have no excuse for lacking confidence in God today.

“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward”, Heb. 10. 35.