David – Shepherd, King, Fugitive, Everyman

What do you do, or where do you go, when you’re discouraged? Under great stress? Facing times of uncertainty? Suffering from grief? Feeling anxious? When you’ve messed up so badly you wonder if it can ever be made right? Or simply needing a hug?

 

People find all manner of ways of handling such things: Alcohol, drugs, eating, physical exertion, immersion in mindless entertainment, finding a shoulder to cry on. Each of these is short-term help at best, but in the end, whatever’s troubling them remains.

 

Over the years, one of my favorite places to nestle in the Scriptures has been the Psalms. I’ve gone there in times of pain and distress, when needing encouragement, searching for direction and wisdom, or simply desiring to feel closer to God. Sometimes like a child wanting to cuddle next to its parent.

 

The Psalms are no more or less divinely inspired than the other 65 books of the Bible, but there’s something about the collection of Hebrew “songs” that touches the human spirit in a manner like no other. Perhaps one reason is because many of the Psalms were written by King David of Israel, who despite his regal standing was quite ordinary in many ways. He had enough flaws and failings to match his strengths and successes. 

 

In an entry in his classic devotional book, Morning and Evening, Charles H. Spurgeon presented an insightful description of the shepherd-king: 

“…He knew the trials of all ranks and conditions of men. Kings have their troubles, and David wore a crown. The peasant has his cares, and David handled a shepherd’s crook. The wanderer has many hardships, and David hid in the caves of Engedi…. He was an able master of the human heart because he had been tutored in the best of all schools – the school of heartfelt, personal experience.” 

 

David is credited with writing approximately half of the 150 psalms. His contributions read almost like the pages of a personal journal or diary, with unvarnished honesty and candor, conveying a vast range of emotions. He didn’t hesitate to admit when feeling afraid, angry, sorrowful, repentant, exuberant, doubtful, or awestruck. 

 

Entire books have been written about the Psalms, but here’s a sampling of observations about David’s expressions of faith in times of both triumph and trouble.

 

He wrote about finding great peace in trusting the Lord, despite enemy opposition the king encountered a lot: “But You are my shield around me, O Lord…. To the Lord I cry aloud, and He answers me from His holy hill. I lie down and sleep; I wake up, because the Lord sustains me. I will not fear the tens of thousands drawn up against me on every side” (Psalm 3:3-6).

 

A friend has confided in me recently about being wrongfully accused. Perhaps you’ve experienced this as well. King David wrote, “O Lord my God, in you I have taken refuge. Save me from all those who pursue me, and deliver me…” (Psalm 7:1). He expressed similar thoughts in Psalm 26:1-2, “Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, and have trusted in the Lord without wavering. Examine me, O Lord, and try me; test my mind and my heart.”

 

There were times it wasn’t vindication but mercy and forgiveness that caused the king to cry out to God. Seven of his writings are regarded as penitential psalms – songs of repentance – including the sinful burden he carried after his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah. He pleaded:

“Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight…” (Psalm 51:2-4).

 

How does one recover from the guilt of great sin? David knew it was possible only by God’s grace and mercy, and His restorative power. This was his petition later in the psalm:

“Create in me a clean heart of God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit” (Psalm 51:10-12).

 

In another psalm David wrote his conclusion: “How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered! How blessed is the man the Lord does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit!” (Psalm 32:1-2). 

 

This is an assurance God offered not only to the Israelite king but also to all of us who profess faith in Him. Because in Romans 5:8 we read, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

 

Drawing from his experiences in shepherding sheep, David often reflected on the comfort and confidence he had in his heavenly Shepherd. In perhaps his best-known psalm, the king wrote: 

“The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He restores my soul; He guides me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me. Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me….” (Psalm 23:1-6).

 

Sheep are helpless, not smart animals. Often during our life’s journey, if we’re honest, we have to admit that we too are helpless and not so smart.

 

There are so many examples in the Psalms we can draw from for encouragement and assurance, but I must include one in which David expressed his great awe of God. He declared: 

“O Lord, our Lord, how majestic is Your name in all the earth, who have displayed Your splendor above the heavens!... When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers…. What is man that You take thought of him, and the son of man that You care for him? Yet You have made him a little lower than God, and You crown him with glory and majesty!” (Psalm 8:1,3-5).

This barely scratches the surface of the Psalms, in which we can learn much about God and His relationship with His foremost creation, humankind. They’re refreshing spiritual water that can be drawn from a bottomless well. I couldn’t urge strongly enough: Drink, and drink deeply. 

Music – Much More Than Memorable Melodies

Have you considered how much influence music plays in our lives – including those not musically inclined? Even folks known for accomplishments far outside the realm of music have acknowledged its appeal. For instance, Albert Einstein (you might have heard of him) said, “If I were not a physicist, I would probably be a musician. I often think in music. I live my daydreams in music. I see my life in terms of music…I get most joy in my life out of my violin.”

 

Another Albert – physician and humanitarian Albert Schweitzer – stated, “Joy, sorrow, tears, lamentation, laughter – to all these music gives voice, but in such a way that we are transported from the world of unrest to a world of peace, and see reality in a new way, as if we were sitting by a mountain lake and contemplating hills and woods and clouds in the tranquil and fathomless water.”

 

Frenchman and renowned writer Victor Hugo observed, “Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent.” I think we’ve all experienced music stirring our spirits in ways we couldn’t audibly express.

Music’s been part of my life for as long as I can remember. My mom had been a dancer in her younger years, taught herself to play piano and organ, and we always had music in our house, whether on the radio or the stereo. Weekdays after school, we’d watch “American Bandstand” on TV, Dick Clark’s iconic showcase for the latest singers and bands.

 

Then music took an expanded role in my life after joining the percussion section of our high school’s championship marching band. I never became a great drummer, but enjoyed playing tenor drum, bass drum and cymbals. Being in the concert and dance bands as well gave me an enhanced appreciation for many kinds of music. 

 

We can’t escape it: TV shows and theatrical films feature music in their productions, and commercials use clever jingles or vocal and instrumental music for emotional impact. Some of us are old enough to recall theme songs for programs such as “I Love Lucy,” “All in the Family,” “Lassie,” “Bonanza,” "Mission:Impossible," and “M*A*S*H.”

 

Technology makes music instantly accessible via smartphone apps, headphones, satellite music stations, and digital format. However, music is as old as human history. I’m not sure what melodies Adam and Eve might have heard in Eden, other than the happy chirping of songbirds and wind playfully rustling through the trees, but we find references to music throughout the Bible.

We don't have to read much past Adam and Eve's eviction from Eden to find the first biblical reference to music. In Genesis 4:21 we read, "[Jabal's] brother's name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe." Later in the Bible's first book we find Laban, father of Rachel and Leah, admonishing Jacob, "Why did you flee secretly and trick me, and did not tell me, so that I might have sent you away with mirth and songs, with tambourine and lyre?" (Genesis 31:27).

Combining both instrumental and vocal music is emphasized in 2 Chronicles 5:13, "The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the Lord and sang: 'He is good; His love endures forever.'"

The remainder of the Scriptures are replete with musical references, especially the Psalms. King David frequently returned to the music theme, especially in terms of worship. He wrote, "I will sing of Your strength, in the morning I will sing of Your love; for You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. O my strength, I sing praise to You; You, O God, are my fortress, my loving God" (Psalm 59:16-17).

David expressed in Psalm 40:3 the lyrical, life-changing impact of knowing God: "He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in Him."

Another psalm exhorts us to celebratory worship: "Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth. Serve the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful singing.... Enter His gates with thanksgiving and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him, bless His name" (Psalm 100:1-4).

In times of adversity, even in prison, music can lift our spirits as we trust in the Lord. "About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them" (Acts 16:25). Moments later their chains fell off and a jailer who had witnessed the miracle humbly came to faith in Christ.

It's clear God places high value on music, even beyond this life. The Bible's final book, Revelation, records many times when the gathered saints offer praise to Him in song. Just one example is Revelation 5:9 in reference to Jesus: "And they sang a new song, saying, 'Worthy are You to take the scroll and to open its seals, for You were slain, and by Your blood You ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.'"

The Lord's desire for music to infuse our relationship with Him is captured in Colossians 3:16, "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts." Are our hearts singing with gratitude today for all He has done for us?