These psalms speak of David’s longing for God’s salvation. A good study technique is to write down your observations from the text, consider the full meaning of what is being said, and then apply that to your life. Although that is too much for this post, I can offer some observations about David’s expectation for salvation:
- Salvation comes through the abundance of God’s steadfast love. The fuller meaning of that includes David’s understanding that he wasn’t going to do anything to earn his salvation.
- David worshiped in anticipation of God’s salvation, not for the benefits he was to receive, but because God is worthy of his worship. Do you love God for who He is, or for the benefits you can get from Him? If it’s the latter, perhaps you need to be intentional in your worship, and worship more frequently and with greater thoughtfulness in order to know God better.
- David understood his vulnerability to his enemies, and asked God to lead him in His righteousness as a way of protecting himself. One who requests leading implies that he will follow. Are you willing to follow God’s leading, even when it takes you to some unexpected or frightening places?
- The one who is truly taking refuge in God will able to rejoice in Him. Rejoicing sets that one in contrast with others because of what comes out of his mouth: others speak lies, flattery, their own counsel, and rebellion against God. Notice that one who takes refuge in God doesn’t exult in his salvation, but in God Himself. Do you rejoice in God?
- David longed for God’s salvation, experienced physical effects of intense longing. It’s possible that some of these psalms are conveying a double meaning, that David was suffering a physical ailment that he believed was a result of his sin, as well as the feelings of being spiritually fouled by sin. He said that his longing for God was so intense that it was like panting in thirst. He wept for God, and couldn’t eat. Can you feel his longing? Do you long for God? If not, ask Him to fill you with longing for Him, and cultivate it.
- David confessed that he was a sinner and asked for God’s graciousness in healing him. Note in Psalm 41 that confessing his sin didn’t keep him from believing that God upheld him because of his integrity. Why do you suppose that is?
- Salvation to David meant being in God’s presence forever. It was about relationship, not enjoying the delights of a great place to live.
- Regardless of rough circumstances that caused him to feel like God had forgotten him, David knew the reality was that God’s love was always with him. The way his ideas bounced around, it is possible that he had to discipline his thoughts repeatedly in order to keep his grasp on the truth. Can you make the sacrifice to discipline your thoughts to conform to the truth you know in your head, when your feelings might be telling you otherwise?
With these psalms I have demonstrated a brief version of an inductive Bible study method. I encourage you to make observations from the text as you read, no matter how obvious those observations seem, and then contemplate their deeper meaning. Then seek God’s help in applying to your life what the text says.