Psalm 59 is a poetic prayer of David, written “when Saul sent men to watch his house in order to kill him.” In what had to have been an absolutely terrifying time in his life, it’s worth noting how David describes the One to whom he is praying.
“Awake, come to meet me, and see!
You, LORD God of hosts, are God of Israel.” (59:5)
“O my Strength, I will watch for you,
for you, O God, are my fortress.
My God in his steadfast love will meet me…” (59:9-10)
“O Lord, our shield!” (59:11)
“But I will sing of your strength;
I will sing aloud of your steadfast love in the morning.
For you have been to me a fortress
and a refuge in the day of my distress.” (59:16)
“O my Strength, I will sing praises to you,
for you, O God, are my fortress,
the God who shows me steadfast love.” (59:17)
How powerful to reflect on the fact that this is the same God who invites us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thes 5:17). The God to whom David prayed. God of Psalm 59.
“LORD God of hosts.” The all-present God of angel armies, who sees and meets his people when they pray.
“My Strength.” The God who cannot be defeated.
“My fortress.” The God of refuge for the soul.
“Our shield.” The God who shelters his people in the shadow of his wings.
“A refuge in the day of my distress.” The God who is never too busy to notice, never too preoccupied to care.
“The God who shows me steadfast love.” Love seen most clearly in the giving of his own Son. The Son who taught us to pray, “Our Father in heaven.” The Son who sacrificed himself so that I, unworthy, might approach the throne of the universe in his royal, holy name. “My God in his steadfast love will meet me.”
What a blessing to confidently address the God of Psalm 59 in prayer today. What a privilege to sing his praises, with our lips and by our manner of life. “I will sing of your strength… O my Strength, I will sing praises to you.”