Sometimes we have to shake our heads at how Western Bible scholars read so much literal meaning into poetic statements, and completely miss the grand mystical depth. So it is many commentators suggest David was off on a campaign far from home or maybe even in flight from Absalom’s revolt. There’s no reason to read that sort of thing into this, in which David instructs the Temple Music Director to use stringed instruments on this song.
The psalm begins with the standard protocol of one who cries out to his sovereign for relief. David notes that it won’t matter where on earth he might be, since God’s court is not limited by time and space. Rather, he could call on God from any place humans might be found, and God would hear. And anytime is the right time, but all the more so when he feels his heart-mind is in shock from overwhelming moral catastrophe. It’s hard to discern the path to a safe place, and David feels unable to scale the heights on his own power.
That higher ground that warriors know is more easily defended against attack is God’s own Presence. The divine Presence and calling on David has protected him from everything so far. In every success and victory, it was his adherence to God’s moral character that made all the difference. In this sense, any place where David sensed the divine presence was as good as the Tent of Meeting, because God alone set the limits of His own reach.
God knew David’s commitment and trust because David never offered it to any other power or authority. Everything that God ever promised has come true in David’s life, making him feel like he was truly the king of all God’s people everywhere. Every day was another day in the paradise of God’s rich provision. David sensed this would never end, because it was empowered and fed by something far beyond human ken. David had tapped into Eternity, so years of human existence simply couldn’t measure it. This was God-sized portions of divine favor and faithfulness.
David intended to make his entire life, day after day, one long service of worship to ensure God’s glory was the mark of his passage on this earth.
Speaking of Psalms… Two questions. 1) Are you familiar with author Cliff Graham? He has written some fictional works about David and his mighty men (which I have not read) and one about Caleb and Moses (which I am reading right now). Based on his books about David, some other guys wrote a “devotional” called “Cover Me”. It appears to be the first in a series. I’d like your thoughts on any part of this collection of works.
2) In psalm 1, the writer references “the law of the Lord”. If I wanted to meditate on the law of the Lord, what selections from the Holy Bible would be included in that?
Re: 1) Unless there is a free download or substantial excerpt, I’m not likely to read his works. I’ll be glad to review a copy of anything you send me in just about any format, but it’s on your conscience whether to share anything in electronic format. From the blurbs and advertising I’ve seen so far, I tend to think he’s marketing to an audience that might not much agree with some of the things I teach, but I have no idea what he teaches himself.
Re: 2) That phrase translates the Hebrew word “Torah.” In Hebrew, context is everything, and most words are rather flexible and expansive in meaning. For me, the context in Psalm 1 would point to the whole revelation of God, not as books but as the broader character of God as visible in those books. It would mean meditate on the known requirements of the Lord, what He has said He demands of His faithful subjects. Search your heart/convictions and test all things against that ineffable character of God residing in your spirit. He is not silent, but we may have to put some effort into reducing our human reflexes in order to hear that silent thunder.
Thanks for your reply. Here is a link to a pdf of chapter one of the devotional, which he terms a “Battle Book”.
http://knowthecovering.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/cover-me-sample.pdf
Knowing of your reference back to ANE ways of seeing the world, works which might increase my knowledge of that culture are of interest to me. That said, I’m sure not everyone who references how things worked in the Old Testament has the same worldview as you (and that could color their conclusions). If you have the time and inclination, I’d love to hear your observations on where you might agree or disagree (generally or specifically) with the content of chapter 1.
Looking back over the authors description, it seems they are styling this as a twelve week bible study, rather than a devotional. My mistake.
So I read the sample. We have some fiction written by a fellow who served as an Army Chaplain, and that background shows. Reviewers do pick at his storytelling art, and I think he overdoes some things. Among the tons of bogus manhood crap, just a few decent projects have I seen in the standard fare you find in the mainstream church market. This is better than most, largely because it slips the chains of prissy Victorian feminist mythology. That’s the best part of Graham’s work. It’s a good start away from that prison. But it’s only a start. Considering the context of where it’s likely to be promoted, I suppose we can be grateful it goes that far.