Psalms

The nation of Israel suffered a military setback (see 2 Samuel 8:13).  While David was fighting in the Northern part of the country, Edom, one of Israel's neighboring enemies attacked the southern part of the Judah.  

This Psalm reflects the feelings of this nation that was confused and in a state of shock because they thought that God had abandoned them.

To the Chief Musician. Set to "Lily of the Testimony." A Michtam of David. For teaching. When he fought against Mesopotamia and Syria of Zobah, and Joab returned and killed twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.

The meaning of a Michtam is also mostly speculation.  The word means to engrave or an engraving on a sculpture.  One interesting speculation is these Psalm were engraved in the caves where David was hiding while fleeing from Saul.

As David continued to fight in the North, Joab and part of the army returned to kill twelve thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt.  What an amazing, epic battle this must have been.

 ¹ O God, You have cast us off;
         You have broken us down;
         You have been displeased;
         Oh, restore us again!
 ² You have made the earth tremble;
         You have broken it;
         Heal its breaches, for it is shaking.
 ³ You have shown Your people hard things;
         You have made us drink the wine of confusion.
This Psalm reflects the feelings of the people after the nation had been attacked by the Edomites.  They were shocked.  This wasn't supposed to happen.  This reminds me of the feelings Americans had after the attacks of 9/11.  It is probably very much like the feelings folks had after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor.

Had God cast them off?  How could this happen?  Was God not paying attention?  Suddenly, when they thought God was on their side and nothing could touch them, their world is rocked!  All that was previously stable is now shaken.  It seemed as though God was displeased and the entire earth trembled.  The Psalmist asked God to heal the damage that was done. 

The Israelites had learned a hard thing.  You can't control God.  You can't box Him in and expect to understand all that knows and does.  God allowed that army to march into Israel for a purpose.  Did anyone figure out that purpose?  Was it to humble them?  Did they think they were controlling God?  The people were confused and their heads were reeling as if they were drunk with wine.

When American heads were reeling after 9/11, the entire nation seemed to be all about God.  "God Bless America" was the cry.  The world thought that Islam had awakened the sleeping giant.  In the wake of this disaster and many lost lives, there are countless stories of faith and salvation and hope.  God was right in the middle of it, moving in the lives of individuals.  Were the Israelites crying, "God bless Israel" after this attack?  Did they have a renewed sense of patriotism and loyalty to their land?  Was God moving in the lives of individuals in the middle of this attack?  I believe the answer to all these questions is probably a resounding, Yes! 

What do you think about the response from the Israelites verses the American response to 911?  How do you respond personally to defeat in your life?  Does it compare?  Do we run to God in defeat and forget Him when things are good?

        
 ⁴ You have given a banner to those who fear You,
         That it may be displayed because of the truth.  Selah  
 ⁵ That Your beloved may be delivered,
         Save with Your right hand, and hear me.
The banner is the flag with your nation's colors on it.  It was the rallying point should you get separated from the army.  It was a reference point to the command.  When the nation got in trouble, they rallied to the banner of the Lord.  There they found the truth, never changing, solid....even when the foundations of the earth seemed to be shaking. 

What is your rally point?  What is the banner of our nation?  There have been many photos of the stars in stripes in war.  What does the stars and stripes represent?  Has that changed over the years?

 ⁶ God has spoken in His holiness:
         "I will rejoice;
         I will divide Shechem
         And measure out the Valley of Succoth.
 ⁷ Gilead is Mine, and Manasseh is Mine;
         Ephraim also is the helmet for My head;
         Judah is My lawgiver.
 ⁸ Moab is My washpot;
         Over Edom I will cast My shoe;
         Philistia, shout in triumph because of Me."
God has spoken.  He is set apart from man and His purposes because God's are greater in scope and measure and beyond comprehension of men.  It is in God's holiness that he speaks and in that the Psalmist rejoices.  God is in control of Shechem, and the Valley of Succoth.  Gilead and Manasseh is also his.  Ephraim was the means of protection in the North.  Judah is tribe that produced the governing body as prescribed by God.  David was of the tribe of Judah.  Just like God owns all these lands and places, He also owns all the other lands surrounding Israel.  Moab served God's purpose just a like a washpot is in service to its owner.  Edom is in service to God like a servant who takes care of the master's shoes when he arrives home.  Philistia shouts in triumph because of God because they know the sovereignty of God.

        
 ⁹ Who will bring me to the strong city?
         Who will lead me to Edom?
 ¹⁰ Is it not You, O God, who cast us off?
         And You, O God, who did not go out with our armies?
 ¹¹ Give us help from trouble,
         For the help of man is useless.
 ¹² Through God we will do valiantly,
         For it is He who shall tread down our enemies.

The nation relearned that God is the only one who can grant victory.  God shook them out of their complacency.  Over time, we tend to make our own plans and revert to our own ways.  Occasionally God gives us a wake up call.  This is our opportunity to return to a right standing with Him.  The challenge is then to stay in that place.

When we look at the response of America after 9/11 it appeared that the nation was turning back to God unapologetically.  However, our resolve faded as the smoke from the towers cleared.  As a nation we turned back from God and returned to our lives.  How long will it be before He reminds us again?