June 29 A READ PSALMS 140–145
A Heart like God’s
OVERVIEW
The six psalms you will read today contain David’s prayer for protection from those who would harm him (Psalms 140–141), as well as his testimony of trust in the one who is his refuge and all that he needs in life (142–143). David’s prayers continue as he looks to God to rescue him from his enemies (144) and then as he thanks God for his wonderful goodness (145).
MY DAILY WALK
Wanted: A Man after God’s Own Heart.
The position available? The throne of Israel. The one involved in the job search? The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
When God wanted a man to do his will (1 Samuel 13:14), he found what he was looking for in an obscure lad from the pasturelands of Judea. Notice some of the qualities of David’s character that many of his later writings reveal:
• Confidence in God in time of danger (Psalm 140:1, 4, 7)
• Hunger for righteousness (141:3-4)
• Transparent honesty before God (142:1-2)
• A good memory for God’s past dealings (143:5)
• A desire to see God’s justice prevail (144:5-8)
• Overflowing praise to God (145:1-21)
God is looking for similar individuals today—people with a heart like David’s; that is, people with a heart like God’s (2 Chronicles 16:9). After studying David’s heart as revealed in Psalms 140–145, are you interested in applying for the position? Tell God so.
DAVID, THE MAN AFTER GOD’S OWN HEART, DIDN’T DO HIS DEVOTIONS; HE LIVED THEM.
INSIGHT
Songs for the Chief | Ps. 140:1-13
The title “For the choir director” (Psalm 140) appears in fifty-five psalms as well as in Habakkuk 3:19. The psalms were a major part of worship at the Temple.
INSIGHT
The Case of the Missing Letter | Ps. 145:14
David’s last psalm (Psalm 145) is also the last of eight acrostic psalms based on the Hebrew alphabet. One letter of the alphabet, nun, was omitted from the Hebrew text, causing the Hebrew reader to “stumble” at verse 14 (much the same way you might if you were reading the sequence “J, K, L, M, O, P”). But wouldn’t you agree that verse 14 is a good one to “catch” yourself on?
For the choir director: A psalm of David.
1O LORD, rescue me from evil people.
Protect me from those who are violent,
2those who plot evil in their hearts
and stir up trouble all day long.
3Their tongues sting like a snake;
the venom of a viper drips from their lips.
Interlude
4O LORD, keep me out of the hands of the wicked.
Protect me from those who are violent,
for they are plotting against me.
5The proud have set a trap to catch me;
they have stretched out a net;
they have placed traps all along the way.
Interlude
6I said to the LORD, “You are my God!”
Listen, O LORD, to my cries for mercy!
7O Sovereign LORD, the strong one who rescued me,
you protected me on the day of battle.
8LORD, do not let evil people have their way.
Do not let their evil schemes succeed,
or they will become proud.
Interlude
9Let my enemies be destroyed
by the very evil they have planned for me.
10Let burning coals fall down on their heads.
Let them be thrown into the fire
or into watery pits from which they can’t escape.
11Don’t let liars prosper here in our land.
Cause great disasters to fall on the violent.
12But I know the LORD will help those they persecute;
he will give justice to the poor.
13Surely righteous people are praising your name;
the godly will live in your presence.