Psalms: Saying Yes in the DarknessSýnishorn

Did you know there are no stand-alone stories in the Bible? Everything loops around and interconnects. Sometimes we forget that though because at first, reading Scripture like the Psalms can feel like walking up to a group of friends who are in the middle of a conversation. I often think, Huh? Why is the psalmist so worried or overjoyed? What’s going on in this passage that I don’t understand? Because we’re not privy to the beginning of the story, we have no clue what’s going on. But did you know some of David’s psalms were written from experiences he had in 1 and 2 Samuel?

Let’s figure out the backstory to Psalm 59 (the passage we studied yesterday). Flip to 1 Samuel 19 in your favorite translation and notice what verse(s) in this chapter seems to relate specifically to Psalm 59. 

1 Samuel 19:11 describes the men quite a bit differently than David does in Psalm 59.

First Samuel was written by the prophet Samuel. Perhaps since Samuel wasn’t the one actually in the scary situation, or because he knew David wasn’t ultimately captured and killed by these men, he wrote it in a less dramatic way. 

 If we look at the word messenger in Hebrew (Strong's Concordance H4397) in 1 Samuel 19:11, we see here that mal’ak means “to dispatch as a deputy; a messenger; specifically, of God, i.e. an angel (also a prophet, priest or teacher):—ambassador, angel, king, messenger.”

Think this description is a little strange? Why don’t we see a word more like ratsach, which leans more toward the assassin and murderer type of definition?

Here’s what I’m asking God about the use of this word mal’ak: When Saul sent these messengers, did God perhaps send some of His as well? Maybe the use of this Hebrew word, which typically refers to an angel or someone of authority specifically sent from God, is meant to remind us that these bloodthirsty men were not alone. Perhaps God’s mal’ak stood right behind or in front of them to ensure that Saul’s evil plan would not be carried out.

Whatever the case, David was not unprotected as he faced Saul’s wrath. God never leaves us alone in the darkness. He is with us (Joshua 1:9) and for us (Romans 8:31), no matter what we’re facing, so we need not fear.

Let’s wrap up today by spending some time talking to our heavenly Father, thanking Him for protection in hard situations.