Deeper Reflection
WHAT CAN WE LEARN from this psalm written in the context of David fleeing from King Saul and sheltering in a cave (see 1 Sam 22:1, or 24:3)? When we know that God is merciful towards us, our hearts can be steadfast (vv.1a, 7a). We will not fear the storms of destruction, for God will provide us refuge in the shadow of His wings (vv.1b, 1c). Inevitably, God’s servants sometimes go through violent storms in life. But they can be fully confident that God hears their cries and will protect them and fulfil His purposes for them (v.2). God is like a mountain cave that provides shelter and protection for His servants until the danger passes. Like fierce beasts, evil people may attack God’s servants with vicious acts
and injurious words (v.4); and like hunters, they may set dangerous traps
to capture and kill (v.6). But right there in the midst of those perilous
situations, God’s servants will exalt and glorify Him (v.5), because His
steadfast love and faithfulness shine through to rescue them and turn
the tables on their adversaries (vv.3, 6). So great is the extent of God’s
steadfast love and faithfulness that David describes them as reaching to
the heavens and the clouds (v.10)! Remarkably, David has a global vision
of God’s glory being made known and seen throughout all the
earth (vv.5, 11)! David has a deep desire to thank and praise God before the
watching world, so that all the nations will know that his God – the Creator
of the universe – alone is worthy of the praise of all the peoples (vv.7b-11)!