"For you look deep within the mind and heart, O righteous God." Psalm 7:9b
Psalm 7 is referred to as "a shiggaion of David." Shiggaion is a lyrical poem written under strong mental emotion: a song full of passionate imagination and accompanied with music. This type of poem or ramblings if you will is full of erratic rhythms and rhyme, revealing the intense emotion and mental anguish of the composer.
David is in a time of remembering. He recalls an enemy Cush, a Benjamite who falsely accused him of wrong doing to Saul. The falsehoods no doubt fed Saul's jealousy and paranoia of David. These thoughts stirred the tormenting spirit in Saul to the point of consuming Saul with hatred for David that lead him to chase David down to kill him. A snowball of event that eventually lead to Saul's death.
Now, let's think about this. Saul is dead and David is king. So this false accusation against David must have been festering inside him for years. He felt in his heart he was innocent up need it settled by God. He goes as far as to tell God to deal with him if he is not innocent knowing that the Lord looks deep within the mind and heart.
Now, let's think about this. Saul is dead and David is king. So this false accusation against David must have been festering inside him for years. He felt in his heart he was innocent up need it settled by God. He goes as far as to tell God to deal with him if he is not innocent knowing that the Lord looks deep within the mind and heart.
Praise the Lord we can go to the Him with rambling, erratic rhythm and rhymes. We can take to Him all our intense emotion and pour out to Him our deepest anguish and pain not having to worry about whether is makes sense. Praise the Lord that we have the Holy Spirit to intercede on our behalf. I love Paul's words in Romans 8:26-27:
In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will.
What Paul is saying is the Holy Spirit takes our feeble words straight to the Father in words we can't express. The prayers are looked upon and answered in agreement with God's will for our lives.
Aren't we blessed to have the Holy Spirit with us to interpret and translate the heart of our prayers to the Father? Do you have anything festering inside? Is there anything you need to call out to the Lord with intense emotion and passion? Let it roll. Ramble on. Don't concern yourself with rhythm or rhyme just call out to Him and let the Holy Spirit to do the rest.
Aren't we blessed to have the Holy Spirit with us to interpret and translate the heart of our prayers to the Father? Do you have anything festering inside? Is there anything you need to call out to the Lord with intense emotion and passion? Let it roll. Ramble on. Don't concern yourself with rhythm or rhyme just call out to Him and let the Holy Spirit to do the rest.
11 Comments:
Good Morning Gals,
My Study Bible says that 'shiggaion' only occurs here (once in the Bible). [a plural form occurs in Hab. 3:1]
Cush, in the title, was probably a supporter of Saul. There was so much on David's mind when he wrote this. You can hear his heart as he writes the verses.
Although the Lord forgave David's sin (12:13) we continue to read about its effects on everyone around him, including himself. The consequences tormented him throughout the last half of his rule. Short-lived pleasures of sin always come at a high price! Disobedience. Suffering. Anguish. rebellion. Revolt. Murder. Civil War. Discontent. Guilt.
How grateful today as Christians, that we are never alone. Our all-powerful Lord is always with us; He is always available - anytime and everywhere. Only God can heal a broken heart. The mighty Counselor intercedes for us. Gotta love that!
And, gotta love ya'll!
Hugs,
Lori - AZ
Wendy,
I once read in a book that silent gratitude in no use to anyone......
I appreciate you for your devotion,obedience and spirit lead insights - be encouraged in the Lord my dear sister.
Just want to share a song this
morning......
'Welcome Holy Spirit'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgdm5_0vSwU&feature=PlayList&p=88A3E1F3DF98C4FB&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=26
Be blessed and encouraged all
Chanan
Bahamas
I don't know how many times I have fallen in prayer and must have sounded like an raving manic. So broken that I didn't know how or what to pray. It is beyond me how David must have felt.
Sometimes when life just doesn't make sense and it hurts just to take the next breathe, simply obedience and faith is all it comes down to for me. Asking and knowing for the next right thing to do.
Praying for you sisters,
I have noticed a drop in posting from some regulars. Just letting you know that you are missed. Those that are new welcome and keep sharing your thoughts.
Diane
Wendy,
Thank you for turning the focus on Psalm 7. I read Matthew Henry's commentary on this Psalm and am posting the link here if anyone wants to read it.
http://www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?AuthorID=4&contentID=1130&commInfo=5&topic=Psalms
Here is an excerpt:
“And here see, (1.) What the indictment is which he pleads not guilty to. He was charged with a traitorous design against Saul’s crown and life, that he compassed and imagined to depose and murder him, and, in order to that, levied war against him. This he utterly denies. He never did this; there was no iniquity of this kind in his hand (v. 3); he abhorred the thought of it. He never rewarded evil to Saul when he was at peace with him, nor to any other, v. 4. Nay, as some think it should be rendered, he never rendered evil for evil, never did those mischief that had injured him. (2.) What evidence he produces of his innocency. It is hard to prove a negative, and yet this was a negative which David could produce very good proof of: I have delivered him that without cause is my enemy, v. 4. By this it appeared, beyond contradiction, that David had no design against Saul’s life—that, once and again, Providence so ordered it that Saul lay at his mercy, and there were those about him that would soon have dispatched him, but David generously and conscientiously prevented it, when he cut off his skirt (1 Sa. 24:4) and afterwards when he took away his spear (1 Sa. 26:12), to attest for him what he could have done. Saul himself owned both these to be undeniable proofs of David’s integrity and good affection to him.”
My thoughts as I read this we much like Diane's, "how many times have I fallen in prayer and may have sounded like a raving maniac," but also, David prayed cyclically. He praised, he pleaded, he confessed, and he praised again. This formula for prayer is evident in the Lord's prayer too. Secondly, I wondered why the chorological bible put this psalm here in the chronology of David's life. It would seem that this would be a psalm David composed during his exile in the wilderness when Saul was still alive. Any insights on that?
Have a great day,
Karen, CA
As I read through this study, I am amazed at the respect David, a king, gave to others - including his enemies.
David didn't take glory for the victories, nor did he gloat over the victims... even when David was wronged by them! David saw himself in each one of these people... and he saw them through his Father's eyes.
David was being obedient to avenge the Gibeonites (2 Sam 21:1-14), yet he was tender to the Rizpah's grief (how well he knew the loss of a son!)David did as the Lord told him, and went the extra mile to collect the bones and bury them in a proper place. Who would do such a thing for the enemy? How often do we feel "they deserved it", or move on without a backward thought towards those who are hurting? Oh that I would be blinded, and see only through my Father's eyes.
I was touched by David's compassion for Rizpah today. Touched by Rizpah's grief.
That God would purify my motives!! I pondered at David's words for God to strike him dead if were not innocent. I know I've often felt like a raving woman at times in prayer!!
Praying for strength for the journey today for y'all.
Blessings--lisa
Happy Thursday Ladies. I haven't been commenting much this week due to busyness and other deadlines. However, thank you Diane for mentioning that you noticed some of us haven't been here. Because of your sweet words, I am taking time to say "Hello."
In reading about the ramblings of David, I too thought about the many prayers I have cried that only God's Spirit could have understood.
I often journal my prayers. Lately, I seem to be writing my own share of "shiggaion" prayers regarding completing the manuscript, disciplining young boys, and understanding how to be a better wife, etc. I am so thankful that the Holy Spirit can interpret my cries of help and intercede on my behalf to my King. I am also humbled that He is even more gracious to me, than King David ever was.
Praying that all you girls are doing well, amongst the battles with your giants. (Brandee, praying for your new S.S. endeavors and your husband too.) Remember, even David had to battle the Philistines more than once. Yet, God was there and provided victory EVERY time!
"We can take to Him all our intense emotion and pour out to Him our deepest anguish and pain not having to worry about whether it makes sense. Praise the Lord that we have the Holy Spirit to intercede on our behalf."
So thankful for this truth today.
It's been a long day. I related with David in 2 Samuel 21:15, ""Once again the Philistines were at war with Israel. And when David and his men were in the thick of battle, David became weak and exhausted."
Exhaustion in battle. The weariness of fighting the same old enemy over and over again. Will it ever end? You're tired. You want to wave the white flag of surrender and give up. The fighting is fierce. The battle is strong.
I don't know how many of you feel like David right now, but I know I do. I'm done. I want to give up and give in. I want to scream, 'nough now'! I've fought valiantly, but I've come to the end. My head falls in my hands. No energy for even tears. I feel defeated.
Yet, the battle rages on. God is not finished. So, I pray for strength as mine is not sufficient to sustain me during this storm.
"O LORD, be gracious to us; we long for you. Be our strength every morning, our salvation in time of distress." Is. 33:2
I return to take my place on the front lines, trusting in the One who brings victory,
Joy
Hi Girls,
Kristen, you are thinking what I'm thinking...David fought the Philistines more than once!
It seems that we have been reading an action packed "guy flick". There is one fight scene after another fight scene. Even though David is consistently victorious...there is always someone wanting to wage a battle. Sometimes, I feel this battle in my life or the lives that surround me; it can be exhausting. Yet, wearing the full armour of God we stand firm.
Nancy
Nancy,
Funny that you mention the guy flick aspect. My pastor mentioned that his seminary professor told them that reading the account of David's life is much like watching the movie, "The Godfather." I didn't understand it at the time, but I sure am starting to the more we read. :o)
Joy, keep relying on God for the strength you need. He will never let you down. Don't forget that he also allows times of rest in the battle, too. Let Him hold the battle lines when you need rest. God will be faithful to give it to you.
Speaking of Festering Inside...Poor Amasa. Wonder why he didn't report back within three days? Joab seemed to let jealousy get the best of him...as he was overlooked twice by King David as commander of the troops. Amasa was so brutely murdered and tossed aside by his own cousin! In today's reading nothing else is ever mentioned about him. Did King David wonder where he was? Or was he so anxious to stop Sheba he assigned the next best person for the job...Abishai. Then David appoints Joab commander of the army of Israel in 20:23. Hmmmm Will we hear more as we read on. If not I guess I'll just wonder if Amasa was detained for a good or evil reason and why Joab took it upon himself to kill him. Anybody else think this was left hanging?
A moment of silence for Amasa and his family. God knew the whole picture, rest assured.
Thinking of you all...Debbie In Illinois
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