My God of loving devotion will come to meet me; God will let me stare down my foes. My God of loving devotionThe phrase "My God of loving devotion" is deeply rooted in the Hebrew word "חֶסֶד" (chesed), which is often translated as "lovingkindness" or "steadfast love." This term conveys a sense of loyalty and covenantal faithfulness that God extends to His people. In the historical context of the Psalms, David often found himself in dire situations, yet he consistently relied on God's unwavering love and commitment. This phrase reminds believers of the personal relationship they can have with God, who is not distant or indifferent but is intimately involved in their lives with a love that is both enduring and active. will come to meet me
The imagery of God coming to meet the psalmist suggests a proactive and personal intervention. The Hebrew verb "קָדַם" (qadam) implies going before or confronting, indicating that God is not passive but actively engages with His people. In the ancient Near Eastern context, this can be likened to a king who goes out to meet his subjects, ensuring their safety and well-being. For the believer, this is a powerful assurance that God is not only aware of their struggles but is also moving towards them with purpose and intention, ready to provide aid and comfort. God will let me stare down my foes
The phrase "stare down my foes" evokes a sense of victory and confidence. The Hebrew word "שָׁקַף" (shaqaf) means to look down or gaze, often with a sense of dominance or superiority. In the historical context of David's life, he faced numerous enemies, both physical and spiritual. Yet, his confidence was not in his own strength but in the power and presence of God. This phrase serves as an encouragement to believers that, through God's intervention, they can face their adversaries with boldness, knowing that ultimate victory is assured through divine support. It is a reminder that God empowers His people to overcome challenges and emerge triumphant over opposition. Persons / Places / Events 1. DavidThe author of this Psalm, David, is expressing his trust in God's deliverance from his enemies. This Psalm is traditionally understood to have been written during a time when Saul sent men to watch David's house in order to kill him. 2. GodReferred to as the "God of loving devotion," highlighting His steadfast love and faithfulness towards those who trust in Him. 3. Enemies/FoesThe adversaries that David faces, representing any opposition or threat to the believer's life. 4. SaulThe King of Israel at the time, who was pursuing David out of jealousy and fear of losing his throne. 5. MizpahAlthough not directly mentioned in this verse, Mizpah is a place of watchfulness and prayer, symbolizing God's protective oversight. Teaching Points God's Loving DevotionGod's love is steadfast and unwavering. The Hebrew word "chesed" used here implies a covenantal love that is loyal and faithful. Divine EncounterGod actively meets us in our times of need. This is not a passive relationship; God is proactive in His care and intervention. Victory Over EnemiesBelievers can have confidence that God will enable them to overcome their adversaries, whether they are physical, spiritual, or emotional. Trust in God's TimingDavid's assurance that God will let him "stare down" his foes suggests a trust in God's perfect timing for deliverance. Prayer and WatchfulnessLike David, we are called to be vigilant in prayer, trusting that God sees and knows our struggles and will act on our behalf. Bible Study Questions 1. How does understanding God's "loving devotion" (chesed) impact your view of His character and His promises to you? 2. In what ways can you actively seek to encounter God in your daily life, especially during times of trouble? 3. Reflect on a time when you felt surrounded by "enemies" or challenges. How did you see God's hand at work in that situation? 4. How can the assurance of God's victory over your foes influence your approach to current struggles or fears? 5. What practical steps can you take to cultivate a heart of watchfulness and prayer, trusting in God's deliverance? Consider connections to other scriptures that encourage prayer and vigilance. Connections to Other Scriptures Psalm 23This Psalm also speaks of God's presence and protection, emphasizing His role as a shepherd who leads and defends His people. Romans 8:31This verse echoes the confidence in God's support against adversaries, reinforcing the idea that if God is for us, who can be against us? Exodus 14:14The assurance that God will fight for His people, encouraging them to remain still and trust in His deliverance. People David, Jacob, Joab, Psalmist, SaulPlaces JerusalemTopics Adversaries, Causeth, Desire, Effected, Enemies, Foes, Gaze, Gloat, Haters, Kindness, Love, Loving, Lovingkindness, Loving-kindness, Meet, Mercy, Prevent, Slander, Steadfast, Succor, Triumph, TriumphantlyDictionary of Bible Themes Psalm 59:9-10 1205 God, titles of Library Waiting and Singing
'Because of his strength will I wait upon Thee: for God is my defence.... 17. Unto Thee, O my strength, will I sing: for God is my defence, and the God of my mercy.'--PSALM lix. 9, 17. There is an obvious correspondence between these two verses even as they stand in our translation, and still more obviously in the Hebrew. You observe that in the former verse the words 'because of' are a supplement inserted by our translators, because they did not exactly know what to make of the bare words as they …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureOf Confession of Our Infirmity and of the Miseries of this Life
I will acknowledge my sin unto Thee;(1) I will confess to Thee, Lord, my infirmity. It is often a small thing which casteth me down and maketh me sad. I resolve that I will act bravely, but when a little temptation cometh, immediately I am in a great strait. Wonderfully small sometimes is the matter whence a grievous temptation cometh, and whilst I imagine myself safe for a little space; when I am not considering, I find myself often almost overcome by a little puff of wind. 2. Behold, therefore, …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ Wherefore this do Ye, virgins of God, this do Ye...
53. Wherefore this do ye, virgins of God, this do ye: follow ye the Lamb, whithersoever He shall have gone. But first come unto Him, Whom ye are to follow, and learn, in that He is meek and lowly of heart. Come ye in lowly wise unto the Lowly, if ye love: and depart not from Him, lest ye fall. For whoso fears to depart from Him asks and says, "Let there not come to me foot of pride." [2214] Go on in the way of loftiness with the foot of lowliness; Himself lifteth up such as follow in lowly wise, …
St. Augustine—Of Holy Virginity. St. Malachy Becomes Bishop of Connor; He Builds the Monastery of iveragh.
16. (10). At that time an episcopal see was vacant,[321] and had long been vacant, because Malachy would not assent: for they had elected him to it.[322] But they persisted, and at length he yielded when their entreaties were enforced by the command of his teacher,[323] together with that of the metropolitan.[324] It was when he was just entering the thirtieth year of his age,[325] that he was consecrated bishop and brought to Connor; for that was the name of the city through ignorance of Irish ecclesiastical …
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh Whence Also the Just of Old, Before the Incarnation of the Word...
18. Whence also the just of old, before the Incarnation of the Word, in this faith of Christ, and in this true righteousness, (which thing Christ is unto us,) were justified; believing this to come which we believe come: and they themselves by grace were saved through faith, not of themselves, but by the gift of God, not of works, lest haply they should be lifted up. [2679] For their good works did not come before God's mercy, but followed it. For to them was it said, and by them written, long ere …
St. Augustine—On Patience Introduction. Chapter i. --The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers.
St. Hilary of Poitiers is one of the greatest, yet least studied, of the Fathers of the Western Church. He has suffered thus, partly from a certain obscurity in his style of writing, partly from the difficulty of the thoughts which he attempted to convey. But there are other reasons for the comparative neglect into which he has fallen. He learnt his theology, as we shall see, from Eastern authorities, and was not content to carry on and develop the traditional teaching of the West; and the disciple …
St. Hilary of Poitiers—The Life and Writings of St. Hilary of Poitiers The King --Continued.
The years thus well begun are, in the historical books, characterized mainly by three events, namely, the bringing up of the ark to the newly won city of David, Nathan's prophecy of the perpetual dominion of his house, and his victories over the surrounding nations. These three hinges of the narrative are all abundantly illustrated in the psalms. As to the first, we have relics of the joyful ceremonial connected with it in two psalms, the fifteenth and twenty-fourth, which are singularly alike not …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David The Saints' Privilege and Profit;
OR, THE THRONE OF GRACE ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. The churches of Christ are very much indebted to the Rev. Charles Doe, for the preservation and publishing of this treatise. It formed one of the ten excellent manuscripts left by Bunyan at his decease, prepared for the press. Having treated on the nature of prayer in his searching work on 'praying with the spirit and with the understanding also,' in which he proves from the sacred scriptures that prayer cannot be merely read or said, but must …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3 Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire Until the Collapse of the Western Empire and the First Schism Between the East and the West, or Until About A. D. 500
In the second period of the history of the Church under the Christian Empire, the Church, although existing in two divisions of the Empire and experiencing very different political fortunes, may still be regarded as forming a whole. The theological controversies distracting the Church, although different in the two halves of the Graeco-Roman world, were felt to some extent in both divisions of the Empire and not merely in the one in which they were principally fought out; and in the condemnation …
Joseph Cullen Ayer Jr., Ph.D.—A Source Book for Ancient Church History Psalms
The piety of the Old Testament Church is reflected with more clearness and variety in the Psalter than in any other book of the Old Testament. It constitutes the response of the Church to the divine demands of prophecy, and, in a less degree, of law; or, rather, it expresses those emotions and aspirations of the universal heart which lie deeper than any formal demand. It is the speech of the soul face to face with God. Its words are as simple and unaffected as human words can be, for it is the genius …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Psalm 59:10 NIVPsalm 59:10 NLTPsalm 59:10 ESVPsalm 59:10 NASBPsalm 59:10 KJV
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