When one thinks of parties in America, one tends to think of the Republican or Democrat Parties, especially in this election season. However, if you listen to the talk all around, it seems to me that the most popular party in the United States is the Pity Party. It doesn't take much these days for someone to complain that they have been disrespected or discriminated against. When I was a kid we didn't even have a word for "disrespected"; we really didn't have much choice, we either respected people or else! But now, with the invention of "microagressions", you don't even have to intend to harm someone to be accused of discrimination, or worse. Has it always been this way?
Now in the days of King David, they had some real problems to complain about. This psalm was written in his old age as he looked back over his life.
"My eyes grow dim from suffering.
I have lost my strength.
For my life nears its end in pain;"
David had seen real enemies with real swords, and vindictive family members with real conflicts. One son of his even started a revolution and tried to steal his throne. But he continues to appeal to the Lord for help:
"Rescue me from the power of my enemies and those who chase me."
But despite all of his own suffering, the king was also looking prophetically into the future to the sufferings that would be experienced by the Son of David. Consider this passage and compare it to the last week of Jesus' life:
"I have lost my strength.
For my life nears its end in pain;
my years draw to a close as I groan.
My strength fails me because of my sin,
and my bones become brittle.
Because of all my enemies, people disdain me;
my neighbors are appalled by my suffering -
those who know me are horrified by my condition;
those who see me in the street run away from me.
I am forgotten, like a dead man no one thinks about;
I am regarded as worthless, like a broken jar.
For I hear what so many are saying,
the terrifying news that comes from every direction.
When they plot together against me,
they figure out how they can take my life.
But I trust in you, O Lord!
Jesus experience real pain and suffering as he took our sins upon himself to the cross. He paid the awful price for our sins that we may have life. And when he was done, Jesus quoted this psalm of King David:
'Into Your hand I commit my spirit;'
Now it's not like we won't ever experience real suffering of our own. This same verse was also quoted by Stephen, the first martyr, as he was stoned to death. (Acts 7:59) If Stephen was stoned for his faith, who are we to expect to be treated better? But even in these most severe of sufferings, we can have confidence that Father God is with us, and we can agree with the psalmist as he concludes this psalm:
"Be strong and confident,
all you who wait on the Lord!"
For a musical interpretation of this Psalm, let us listen to Esther Mui:
"Make Your Face Shine Upon Your Servant"
Psalm 31
For the music director; a psalm of David.
In you, O Lord, I have taken shelter!
Never let me be humiliated!
Vindicate me by rescuing me!
Listen to me!
Quickly deliver me!
Be my protector and refuge,
a stronghold where I can be safe!
For you are my high ridge and my stronghold;
for the sake of your own reputation you lead me and guide me.
You will free me from the net they hid for me,
for you are my place of refuge.
Into your hand I entrust my life;
you will rescue me, O Lord, the faithful God.
I hate those who serve worthless idols,
but I trust in the Lord.
I will be happy and rejoice in your faithfulness,
because you notice my pain
and you are aware of how distressed I am.
You do not deliver me over to the power of the enemy;
you enable me to stand in a wide open place.
Have mercy on me, for I am in distress!
My eyes grow dim from suffering.
I have lost my strength.
For my life nears its end in pain;
my years draw to a close as I groan.
My strength fails me because of my sin,
and my bones become brittle.
Because of all my enemies, people disdain me;
my neighbors are appalled by my suffering -
those who know me are horrified by my condition;
those who see me in the street run away from me.
I am forgotten, like a dead man no one thinks about;
I am regarded as worthless, like a broken jar.
For I hear what so many are saying,
the terrifying news that comes from every direction.
When they plot together against me,
they figure out how they can take my life.
But I trust in you, O Lord!
I declare, “You are my God!”
You determine my destiny!
Rescue me from the power of my enemies and those who chase me.
Smile on your servant!
Deliver me because of your faithfulness!
O Lord, do not let me be humiliated,
for I call out to you!
May evil men be humiliated!
May they go wailing to the grave!
May lying lips be silenced -
lips that speak defiantly against the innocent
with arrogance and contempt!
How great is your favor,
which you store up for your loyal followers!
In plain sight of everyone you bestow it on those who take shelter in you.
You hide them with you, where they are safe from the attacks of men;
you conceal them in a shelter, where they are safe from slanderous attacks.
The Lord deserves praise
for he demonstrated his amazing faithfulness to me when I was besieged by enemies.
I jumped to conclusions and said,
“I am cut off from your presence!”
But you heard my plea for mercy when I cried out to you for help.
Love the Lord, all you faithful followers of his!
The Lord protects those who have integrity,
but he pays back in full the one who acts arrogantly.
Be strong and confident,
all you who wait on the Lord! The NET Bible
