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This psalm is an individual lament written by an unnamed man who has lived a good number of years already. His memory confirms that Yahweh is holy, faithful, and righteous. His Bible and his faith also confirms that God is faithful and righteous. Instead of looking to men (including the government) he looks to God for the help he needs (God-care). His strong conviction that the Sovereign God both rules and acts righteously supports his faith in God and his belief that God will again deliver him.
I. Prayer of confidence: O Yahweh, please deliver me (vs.1–4)
A. Shame is a powerful thing
B. This man needs to be delivered from forces too strong for himself to overcome
C. Why would he want a rock, refuge, deliverer, savior, fortress?
D. Notice the close covenantal relationship between this man and God (“my”)
E. He trust God in prayer to deliver him from wicked and cruel men
1. He is not taking the law into his own hands
2. Use prayer not your fists to fight your battles as an individual
F. Notice the authors use of the word “continually” (3, 6, 14)
II. Statement of confidence: Back-to-the future (vs. 5–8)
A. The author tells us of his long-term devotion to the Lord
B. Commitment, loyalty, faithfulness is important
C. God has been the object of his hope, confidence, praise, strong refuge, and glory
D. God is active, sovereign, and involved: delivering and protecting
E. The author was an example of God’s chastisement to the nation
1. Whom the Lord loves, He chastises
2. Instead of bitter resentment, he has a deep trust (Faith) in God his refuge
F. He affirms his trust and declares his love for God and his gratitude
G. His conversion made him a worshiper, praising God, living for God’s glory
III. Prayer in old age: Stand with me and protect me from this new attack (vs. 9–13)
A. Please do not cast me away when I am old (the heart of his lament)
B. Please do not forsake me when my strength is gone
C. Do not leave me in a state of condemnation and curse
D. I have sinned big-time, please don’t give up on me
What heart attitude does this petition reveal? Honesty, contrition, humility
E. Those who love power and control are attacking me without justification
F. God alone can deliver me from these attackers
G. God chastisement proves His presence not His absence
H. He needs God to step in quickly to deliver him, but the attack is on
I. God can vindicate His servant by dealing justly with those who hate God and His people
J. Antagonists joy comes from the disgrace and pain of others
K. The Psalmist is not returning evil for evil, but calling on God to intervene in justice
L. He is waiting for the Lord’s judgment and deliverance
IV. Hope and testimony in old age: Faith taking action (vs. 14–18)
A. This man is committed to God regardless of what happens—faithfulness
B. This man is declaring the mighty acts of God to all who will listen
C. This man has faith, deep trust in God, a know-so hope
D. He anticipates God’s deliverance and vindication
E. He is committed to God regardless of the circumstances and unfolding events
F. Why would he declare God’s righteousness alone? What has his Bible and life taught him?
G. This man is consumed with glorifying God, the next generation needs to know His mighty
acts, his work is not done while there are still ignorant of God’s glory
V. Statement of confidence: God’s character proves His trustworthiness (vs. 19–21)
A. God is to be praised for His righteousness—holy, holy, holy
B. God is to be praised for His wonderful saving acts
Flood, Exodus, Red Sea, desert snakes, Jordan river
C. God is righteous, He will keep all the promises in the Bible
D. No one is like God, He is the ruler, Master, King, Lawgiver
E. Even in the worse situation, God can reverse it (Lazarus, Yeshua, Israel)
F. God will reverse the shame of the enemy and replace it with honor and comfort
VI. Thanksgiving with confidence: Praise, worship, and testimony (22–24)
A. A heart surrendered to God will join in corporate worship
B. Instruments can be used in public worship (Eph 5:19, Col 3:16)
C. Content is more important than style
D. The Holy One of Israel (Unapproachable light, Covenant Love together)
[Isa 1:4, 5:19; Jer 50:29, 51:5]
E. Redemption and conversion lead to worshiping and glorifying God
F. Conversion leads to testifying to what God has done for and in us
Lessons to live by:
• What do we need God to deliver us from? The love, power, control and future presence of sin
• How long has God been working in our lives? From the womb to the tomb
• God is glorified when men and women, boys and girls bow the knee to worship the Lord Jesus Christ. Does it trouble you that there are people in this town that do not worship the true God of the Bible? The main purpose of every human is to glorify God
• Because the Messiah bore our shame, it does not have to control us any more
• Corporate worship is very important, and it is very important that it is always biblical
• God always keeps His promises. Trust God, trust His Word, the Bible
• Read God’s mighty acts in Bible and increase your faith
• Pray to God when you are in a crisis, praise Him regularly
