LIVING WORDS FOR DAVID, DYING WORDS FOR JESUS
PSALM 31:1-5
PSALM 31:1-5
Key verse: v. 5, “Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O LORD God of truth.”
Introduction:
“The psalmist in dire affliction appeals to his God for help with much confidence and holy importunity, and ere long finds his mind so strengthened that he magnifies the Lord for his great goodness.” —Spurgeon.
It is well that there is no settled occasion mentioned, or we might have been so busy in applying it to David’s case as to forget its suitability to our own.
I. DAVID PLEADS FOR HELP
A. In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust, v. 1a; Psalms 22:4, “Our fathers trusted in thee: they trusted, and thou didst deliver them. 5 They cried unto thee, and were delivered: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.”
B. Let me never be ashamed, v. 1b.
1. Of the Lord, in whom he trusts, 1 Peter 4:16, “Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God on this behalf.”
2. Nor of His Word, Psalms 119:46, “I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.”
3. Nor of his faith, hope, trust, and confidence in them, Psalms 119:116, “Uphold me according unto thy word, that I may live: and let me not be ashamed of my hope.”
C. Deliver me in thy righteousness, v. 1c-4; Psalms 7:8-9, “The LORD shall judge the people: judge me, O LORD, according to my righteousness, and according to mine integrity that is in me. 9- Oh let the wickedness of the wicked come to an end; but establish the just: for the righteous God trieth the hearts and reins.”
1. The Lord has an hourly regard to the weakest moanings of his poorest people, Psalms 86:1, “Bow down thine ear, O LORD, hear me: for I am poor and needy.”
2. He condescends to our low estate and listens to us attentively as one who would hear every word, Psalms 130:2, “Lord, hear my voice: let thine ears be attentive to the voice of my supplications.”
D. Deliver me speedily, vv. 2-3.
1. My strong rock, v. 2; Psalms 62:7, “In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God.”
2. My house of defense, Psalms 71:3, “Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.”
3. For thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me, v. 3.
a. For the glory of thy name, Psalms 79:9, “Help us, O God of our salvation, for the glory of thy name: and deliver us, and purge away our sins, for thy name’s sake.”
b. Send out thy light and thy truth to lead me, Psalms 43:3, “O send out thy light and thy truth: let them lead me; let them bring me unto thy holy hill, and to thy tabernacles.”
E. You are my strength, v. 4.
1. Many times David saw the Lord pull him “out of the net” that Saul had laid for him, Psalms 57:6, “They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves.”
2. For Paul as for David, God’s strength was sufficient, 2 Corinthians 12:9, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
F. Dying words for Jesus, v. 5.
1. Living words for David having total confidence in his Savior, 2 Timothy 1:12, “For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.”
2. They are good, choice, wise, and solemn words spoken by the Savior.
a. Jesus had finished the work God had given Him to do, John 17:4, “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.”
b. After examining every detail of His work, Jesus said “It is finished,” John 19:30, “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”
CONCLUSION