This psalm recounts a time when King David was close to death. Life had been good for him, and he felt sure and secure (v 6). Yet in retrospect he recognises that he had been overconfident. An all-too-common experience, the pride that comes before a fall (Proverbs 16:18). 

Although details are scarce, David may have had a life-threatening illness (v 2). A family member’s recent experience with cancer is a reminder that periods like these are never easy. At such times, God’s presence can feel far away (v 7). 

God hears David’s prayer, and he is spared (v 3). As a result, he cannot be silent but sings the praises of God (v 12). What an amazing God! He turns weeping into joy, wailing into dancing (vs 5,11). David calls others to recognise the goodness of God (v 4). His deliverance does not just affect him – it affects all who hear about it. The power of testimony!

This prayer models for us how to respond when healing comes after illness – praise, thanksgiving, telling others the good news. It also points to God’s greater work of dealing with human suffering through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Even as we suffer ‘for a little while’, we know God ultimately triumphs (1 Peter 1:3–7).

Give thanks for all the times when you have found God ‘a very present help in trouble’.¹

David in difficulty is nothing unusual in the psalms, but the heading to this one suggests that his personal reflection has become a song to sing at the dedication of either his house or the later Temple. Is this because the personal experience of the psalmist was paralleled by that of the nation, as we are seeing in Numbers? Or perhaps it was because he always saw himself as a member of the whole covenant community, where what affected one member was shared by the whole. Certainly, David wants everyone to join him in praising God, who has answered his prayer and delivered him from a life-threatening condition. 

David begins with praise, but the psalm shows that his prayer was not immediately answered. He realised that God’s seeming absence was because of his own arrogant confidence (v 6) so that he needed to realise that it was only through God that he had any strength. There are words here that are very similar to those of Hezekiah in his prayer to be delivered from a fatal illness.² Sadly, although his prayer was answered, Hezekiah’s self-pride increased rather than abated. A personal relationship with God, which we and the psalmist cherish, should not make us forget that we always stand before God as one of his people because of his grace and mercy.

The psalmist’s argument as to why God should spare his life – so that God would not miss out on his worship – is not one that a Christian is likely to use in the light of the hope we have because of Jesus’ resurrection. But what confidence there is in speaking to God in this way! Knowing that he will turn our mourning into dancing and that we are assured that his favour lasts beyond a lifetime – for ever. 

Praise the Lord together with his people, proclaiming all you have experienced of his love and mercy. 

¹ Ps 46:1, AV  ² Isa 38:10–20