If the psalms are the Bible’s hymn book, I’m not sure where today’s psalm would fit in a modern worship service, with the ‘tongue’ that ‘plots destruction’, and practises ‘deceit’ (vs 2,4)!  

This psalm represents an ancient wisdom that today’s world would not recognise, but as Bob Dylan sang, ‘You’re gonna have to serve somebody.’* Even today with all of our scientific development, technology and education, it still comes down to the simple choice framed by this psalm: will we make God our stronghold or not (v 7)? At its heart, this choice is about control – seeking to gain control over our lives and our environment through prideful arrogance (v 1), asserting power through our words and speech (vs 2,4), lies that benefit us (v 3) and resources seemingly without end (v 7). But trusting these things means we are seeking refuge not in a place of safety but in our own destruction (vs 5–7).

God wants to rescue us from a miserable life of control-seeking to one of freedom and joy in which we trust the one who is in control (v 8). Our God is not a flash- in- the-pan remedy or a broken stick you lean on that pierces your hand; he provides safety for ever (v 8). Even when we have to wait for him and his answer, we know that he is good and to be trusted (v 9).

*’Gotta Serve Somebody’, Bob Dylan, Columbia Records, 1979.

‘Beauty for ashes, joy instead of mourning, praise instead of despair … they will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendour.’¹

David is incandescent with rage and his emotion is expressed with honesty through his gifts of music and writing. The psalm is then passed on to the community for corporate response and interpretation. Here we can see why the psalms are so precious to us. The emotions expressed are common to us all. The highs we often expect, the lows stir up all manner of responses. 

David is angry that injustice still reigns, that just because he had consulted the priests at Nob, they were unnecessarily slaughtered.² Saul had lost control. His growing envy, jealousy and determination to succeed without God are in contrast with David’s character. David was witnessing an evil reign and his remark, ‘Why do you boast … mighty hero?’ (v 1) is scathing, for what mighty warrior slaughters 85 gowned priests? and their whole town?³ Whether David is talking of Saul or Doeg or both is unknown, but there is little to separate them. Jesus said that a tree is recognisable by its fruit⁴ and David substantiates the point. The evil ones will be uprooted, facing everlasting destruction (v 5), whereas David, depicted as an olive tree, signifies security, well-being and deep roots. David’s dismay and anger are well-founded, but he must make the same choice as we must in the face of injustice: to trust in the Lord, but also to bear righteous fruit, to act in line with God-given principles. David hopes for vindication in the future, but vengeance is not his. He is to serve, as he is commanded, to follow as the Lord leads. Saul has trusted in wealth, power and evil – earthly temporal fantasies, whereas David can flourish in spite of injustice, for God is trustworthy in unfailing love. To hope in his name is to live eternally (vs 8,9).

How do we respond to the injustice around us? Are we acting, speaking and standing on God’s Word, or simply walking by? 

¹ Isa 61:3, paraphrased  ² 1 Sam 22:6–23  ³ 1 Sam 22:18,19  ⁴ Matt 7:20