Psalms 31: Contd., Verses 12-24

Psalms 31: Verses 12-24 (Unless otherwise stated all Scriptures in this devotional are from the King James Version of the Bible.) #FalseAccusation #Seige #Thanksgiving #Praises See Also Psalm Chapter 31:vv 12-24

False Accusations

13 For I have heard the slander of many: fear was on every side: while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.

Davis is faced with slander. His friends and family members have become his enemies “while they took counsel together against me, they devised to take away my life.” (Absalom, his own son was at the center of this movement. See 2 Sam. 17:1-14.) Usually, it is hard for a person to feel comfortable or trust anyone who is saying disparaging things against them. We have 3 options.

We can sit there and feel sorry for ourselves.

We can tell all of our friends about how the person treated us.

Or we can trust God to solve the problem.

How did David solve this problem?

14 But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said Thou art, my God.
15 My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.
16 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies’ sake.
17 Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.
18 Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.

David determined that God could overcome his enemies. Not only did he believe that God could, he knew that He would defeat his enemies. In verse 14 The psalmist stated, ” But I trusted in thee, O LORD: I said Thou art, my God.” Not in the telephone game, nor the other modes of spreading gossip like wildfire. The kind of gossip that led a nation against its leader. The leader who was chosen by God. Isn’t that something?

David’s confidence in God’s ability to deliver him continues in verse 15 “My times are in thy hand: deliver me from the hand of mine enemies, and from them that persecute me.” How many times have we heard that God’s timing is not our timing? There are times when we just want to receive a verse from God’s word and then read a story about that one verse.

The reality is that transformation takes time and trust. It also takes opening up one’s mind to the truth of God’s word. It was not pretty. David knew that this day would come. (Read 2 Samuel 11;12.) Think not that we – the called out one will not suffer persecution. We will! Just look at what 2 Timothy 3:12 “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.” There isn’t anything that we can do to stop it! It will come only because we are Christ followers.

16 Make thy face to shine upon thy servant: save me for thy mercies’ sake. 17 Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; for I have called upon thee: let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave.
18 Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.

Longman states that the psalmist continues his urgent plea for God to look kindly towards him ( Longman 2014, 162). David said “Make thy face to shine upon thy servant.; save me for this mercies sake.” David knew the priestly benediction included in Numbers 6:24-26

²⁴The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:

²⁵The Lord make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

²⁶The Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace.

” The psalmist is asking God to invoke this same blessing on his life. “17 Let me not be ashamed, O LORD; [WHY?] for I have called upon thee.” His confidence that God will move this enormous mountain out of his life remains stalwart.

On the other hand, he is also asking God to bring down His hand of justice on the wicked “let the wicked be ashamed, and let them be silent in the grave. Let the lying lips be put to silence; which speak grievous things proudly and contemptuously against the righteous.” When one listens to an atheist speak about Christians, they use inflammatory statements against us.

Cayce 2018 provides a concise picture of the atheistic mindset. “The world does not think of believers as being of very much use. They believe that only ignorant and poor people believe in God. They are proud of their place in society. They actually look down on believers. We should rejoice when they speak against us. This makes us children of God, for they so persecuted Jesus” (Psalms 31).

Thanksgiving for Deliverance

19 Oh, how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!
20 Thou shalt hide them in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.

David had no idea what God has in store for him. He just wanted this trial to end. But he does thank God for his 19 “Oh, how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men!” Did you see that combination? Fear and trust! There is no trust in God without fear of God.

Fear not dread and or a looking for God to pounce on us. But fear in that we acknowledge Him as the all-seeing, all-knowing one who loves us beyond our wildest imaginations. The kind of fear and respect one has for a loving human parent. 1 Corinthians 2:9 “But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.” We do not know the fullness of what God has in store for us. But we should be continually aware of the worth of His children. His leaders and their responsibilities.

The protection we have from God is impenetrable. We do not have to fear men or even what people will say about us. For some of us that is harder than taking a bullet in the leg. We have placed so much value in what people think of us that it unravels us when things go array. But God “20 . . .shalt hide them [His people] in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.” David asked for protection and is reveling in that protection. He breaks forth into a song of praise.

Song of Praise

21 Blessed be the LORD: for he hath shewed me his marvelous kindness in a strong city.
22 For I said in my haste, I am cut off from before thine eyes: nevertheless, thou heardest the voice of my supplications when I cried unto thee.

23 O love the LORD, all ye his saints: for the LORD preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer.

24 Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Verses 21-23 show David’s delight in the deliverance and the answering of his prayer. He did not place his trust in wealth, treasures, or any physical type of deliverance. He placed his treasure trove of trust in the Lord His God. Matthew 6:19-20 tells us to “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:” “But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:” We must remember at all times that e do not walk along the wide road of life that leads to destruction. But Matthew 10:22 “And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” Why the hatred? Because we walk along “[the] strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it (Matt 7:14). Cayce, 2018

Matthew 10:22 “And ye shall be hated of all [men] for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.” The Lord Jesus won the war on the cross. We are just cleaning up a few skirmishes. Do not turn back. The Lord will be with you in all your struggles. Remember, the war is already won. Our hope is in Jesus” (Psalms 31:24).

We are free children of God. We are not bound by the traditions of men. Neither are we bound by the fears of this world. When one has to make a decision take the high road and trust God to deliver you. He did it for David and he will do it for you and me too.

John 8:34-36 (NKJV) “Jesus answered them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, whoever commits sin is a slave of sin. And a slave does not abide in the house forever, but a son abides forever. Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.” Live free friends. Don’t allow the enemy to to prevent you from pasking in His light and serving His people!