Songs For Life

Psalm 6, 9, 10,14, 16 & 21

A collection of Psalms that contemplates

All the thoughts of wicked men and their folly

And all the thoughts of the weak and powerless and the poor

And of a God who watches all the deeds of men under the sun.

Psalm 6 is that dark, dark night of the soul.

Psalm 9 is one of praise and trust.  

Psalm 10 & 14 are ones that wonder if God is seeing what the psalmist sees.

Psalm 16 is my favourite Psalm in the whole collection of 150.

Psalm 21 is a song of thanksgiving.

Songs of bewilderment.

Songs of joy

And confident gratitude for blessing.

Ps 6: 3 “My soul is in anguish.  How long, O LORD, how long?”

Ps 9: 9 “The LORD is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.  10 Those who know your Name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you.”

Ps 14:2 “The LORD looks down from heaven on the sons of men to see if there are any who understand, any who seek God.  3 There is no one who does good, not even one.”

Ps 16:5 “LORD, you have assigned me my portion and my cup; you have made my lot secure.  6The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant places…8 I have set the LORD always before me.  Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.  11 You have made known to me the path of life; You will fill me with joy in your Presence…”

Ps 21:4 “[This king] asked You for life and You gave it to him – length of days for ever and ever.  5 Through victories you gave, his glory is great. 11 You have made him glad with the joy of your Presence. 7 For the king trusts in the LORD; through the unfailing love of the Most High, he will not be shaken.”

It’s fair to remark that David’s life was full of ups and down.  As a ruler of the people and as a king after God’s own heart in the context of covenant, he seeks and finds close communion with God.

With each Psalm and song we get a glimpse into David’s heart and the events he lives through. 

The ups and the downs commemorated in song.

Days when he was bewildered at the treatments he received. 

Days of unsettled life on the run. 

Days of utter soul exhaustion.

And days of deep gratitude for God’s unending abundance and blessing. 

To me Psalm 16 is such a neat life-song.  A word picture that reminds me of the big picture, so important for someone who can get fixated on the details of life.   A big picture reminder that God holds all of this that happens in David’s life and in my life and your life.

All the highs and lows.

The joys and sorrows. 

The certainties and the bewilderment.

The anguish and the relief.

The dark nights of the soul,

And the dawn of new days.

About staying strong and steadfast

Trusting like the watchman

That morning will come.

Such a great reminder that even in a string of very grey and dreary days that the sky will clear and the sun will bring its brightness and warmth. 

So I love these songs for everyday.

Songs borne out of life and longing

And searching and finding.  

And getting on with our day.  

Never alone.  

Love that today!