This is considered by scholars as a song of the evening. It’s another of those psalms that sound far better in Hebrew than in any translation. What comes across as simple and simplistic truism is actually quite majestic in tone. Hebrew language never pretended to carry much truth, but served as an indicator of things for which no words exist. Thus, this is a case of words serving as mere signposts to vast lands just waiting our exploration.
David calls out to the sole source of a life worth living, the God who is righteousness defined, and who supplies what it takes to lay hold of righteousness. It matters not the facts of his context. David knows that in the tightest place God will give him room to breathe His Spirit. Thus, already David has established that here is nothing new. While he may have failed God countless times, God has never failed him.
Who are David’s enemies? Mere humans are no match for God, and hardly capable of understanding what David values most. In vain do they attempt to make him look bad or feel bad. They cannot touch, much less take, what God has given him: divine favor. They aren’t even fighting on the same battlefield with David. Unless they repent and consider the vast difference between their desires and his, they can’t even understand how David rose to his position. Their envy alone is proof of their impending failures.
David warns them to walk in God’s moral justice, to embrace the revelation in full trust. All they see is David’s privilege and comforts and assume this is what it’s all about. They assume God is just a vending machine; pay your dues and get your reward. It’s not like that. The most valuable thing on this earth is God’s smile and personal warmth. If that comes at the price of privation, so be it. David is ready to make that trade.
David symbolizes the ultimate value in this world by his ability to rest peacefully. He has peace with God, the Maker of All Things. What else could possibly matter?
