Psalm 144, another song of David, consisting of four stanzas that at my first read appeared to be very unrelated; that is, they all strike a separate theme.  Upon rereading, however, I discovered a repeated motif – God’s intervention.  In verses 1-2, David blesses the LORD for training him to be a warrior and for […]

David’s song in Psalm 143 may be connected with Psalm 142 given that his current situation left him with the same description of his spiritual state: my spirit is overwhelmed within me (v. 4).  This is more than simply being overwhelmed with too many things to do, or feeling inadequate to a given task – this is […]

Psalm 142 was said to have been written by David when he was in the cave in the Judean wilderness on the run from King Saul, as described in 1 Samuel 24.  David was in a desperate and dangerous situation, and feeling alone:      Look to the right and see; for there is no […]

Psalm 141 is another instance of David crying out to the LORD in prayer.  At the heart of this prayer is David’s desire that the LORD keep him from doing evil, with the focus on his tongue and his heart.      Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door […]