v 1
Be gracious to me, O God, be gracious to me,
For my soul takes refuge in You;
And in the shadow of Your wings I will take refuge
Until destruction passes by.
David asks for grace. We have the way opened for us to receive grace anytime we want to by going to God in prayer. Hebrews 4:16 Many of the epistles start with "grace to you." God is offering us the ability to live the Christian life, and that ability comes to us by the God's grace.
God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). Knowledge, works for God, or lack of sin does not bring God's ability. Our coming to God for His power and ability which fills our soul with hope does bring His ability. Going to God for mercy is like receiving God's manna morning by morning, for God is our source.
In David's trouble, he takes refuge under the wings of God. Being "under His wings" is referred to in other Bible passages also. It is a place of protection and hiding. Psalm 91 is the most famous. I go to that psalm frequently, trusting God for His protection. The wings could be referring to the Cherabim covering the mercy seat of God's throne.
v 2
I will cry to God Most High,
To God who accomplishes all things for me.
David cries out to God who accomplishes all things for him. He has a confidence in God that what he asks for will be answered. We can have that confidence in God as well. God will hear our prayer and answer. What God starts, will He not finish? We can trust God to complete His work in us. Philippians 1:6 God's word will accomplish what it was set out to accomplish. Isaiah 55:11
v 3
He will send from heaven and save me;
He reproaches him who tramples upon me. Selah.
God will send forth His lovingkindness and His truth.
David asks for help from heaven. He understands that help from man will not do. He needs the help of God. We as well should take the same attitude of looking to God for our help. David needs the enemies to be reproached by God.
Love and truth are sent. When we see the love and truth of God, His light will show us the path of life to follow in this day. They go together. One without the other won't work. Jesus came to bring His kingdom to earth. But He did it through love by laying His life down that we might have the way of truth to God. Living by the Word of God in love is our solution also. We don't overcome evil with evil, we overcome evil with good. Romans 12:21
v 4
My soul is among lions;
I must lie among those who breathe forth fire,
Even the sons of men, whose teeth are spears and arrows
And their tongue a sharp sword.
Living with lions. David was in the midst of trials. He was living in the midst of people that had it in for him. David fled from Saul in the cave.
v6
They have prepared a net for my steps;
My soul is bowed down;
They dug a pit before me;
They themselves have fallen into the midst of it. Selah.
The enemies have prepared a net, and David's soul is bowed down with burdens and worry. His enemies have dug a pit for him. We can be overwhelmed as we focus on the difficulties that are before us. But we can know that the enemy's efforts will be turned against them as they fall into their own pit. God will deliver us from the power of the enemy and set us free in Christ.
v 7,8
My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast;
I will sing, yes, I will sing praises!
Awake, my glory!
Awake, harp and lyre!
I will awaken the dawn.
David remembers God's goodness and turns to worship, singing praises. He reminds himself to get up early in the morning and worship, give thanks, and praise God.
Why?
v10,11
For Your lovingkindness is great to the heavens
And Your truth to the clouds.
Be exalted above the heavens, O God;
Let Your glory be above all the earth.
God's lovingkindness is great and truth up to the clouds are from Him. Let us worship the Lord. For He comes to save and deliver.
In the midst of opposition David believes God for answered prayer, David rests and trusts God. David overcomes his bowed down soul by worshiping God.
