Seeking refuge in God
Our pleasing God sometimes spurs those who despise him to attack us verbally and physically. But God still reigns supreme, and his implacable hatred of evil means we can count on him to protect us.
A David psalm.
1 Listen to my prayer, Yahveh
and consider my groaning.
2 Hear my cry for help
as I pray to you
my king and my God.
3 In the morning you hear my voice, Yahveh
as I begin each day
by laying my case out before you
and awaiting your response.
4 You’re not a god who delights in evil
or accommodates wickedness.
5 The debauched can’t stand in your presence
—you hate all wrongdoers
6 and destroy those who tell lies.
Yahveh loathes the bloodthirsty and treacherous.
7 But I, through the overflow of your steadfast love
will enter your house
there to fall before your holy temple
in awe of you.
8 Keep me on the path of righteousness, Yahveh
Make your way plain to me
surrounded as I am by watchful foes.
9 For not a single thing they say is true—
their hearts are thoroughly malignant
their throats an open grave
their tongues slick with flattery.
10 Declare them guilty, O God.
Let them be misled by their own counsel.
Banish them for their many crimes
since they’ve rebelled against you.
11 But may all who take refuge in you
rejoice and sing for joy forever.
Spread your protection over them
so all who love your name may revel in you.
12 For you bless those who are just, Yahveh
and surround them with your favor like a shield.
Even though God reigns supreme, David is targeted by enemies who treacherously attack him, thus making themselves God’s enemies. David is likely exiled from Jerusalem. All he says of Yahveh stands against the backdrop of the pagan gods. More messed up than their worshippers, the gods are said to nurse over-inflated egos and care nothing for the weak and afflicted. By contrast, Yahveh cares for the oppressed, which is why David pours out his heart to him each morning. Since God is holy and just, David knows he’ll inexorably oppose words and deeds aimed at violating and destroying him.
While the pagans had to merit their gods’ attention, David doesn’t recommend himself to Yahveh, whose love flings the door wide open to the undeserving. Knowing his gracious God will welcome him, he pictures himself returning to God’s house and falling awestruck before his holy sanctuary. He asks God to banish his enemies by making them their own undoing and to guide him through the minefield of their treachery without letting him slip into their evil ways—without fighting evil with evil. David asks for and affirms his faith in God’s protection and blessing on all who take shelter in him. And he imagines their subsequent joy and revelry in so awesome a God as this.
Lord, I bow before you in a world bent on dethroning you. Thank you that you welcome and protect all who seek refuge in you. Keep me on the true path—looking to you, listening to you, honoring you—till the day you indeed reign in glory over all and my joy can’t be contained. Amen.
In your free moments today, pray these words:
May all who take refuge in you
rejoice and sing for joy forever.
Spread your protection over them
so all who love your name may revel in you.
