Stressed OutSýnishorn

King Saul was after David again. Saul’s armies were on the outside of the house where David was staying, looking to kill him. It was a terrifying situation, and this psalm is about that situation. The psalm starts with David’s request before God: Please defend me against Saul. As the psalm goes on, David’s prayer request turns into his singing about who God is. He sings: “But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble. You are my strength, I sing praise to you; you, God, are my fortress, my God on whom I can rely” (Psalm 59:16-17).

David started out asking God for help, and then the psalm shifted to proclaiming God’s strength, power, and goodness. You can almost hear David rest in God’s strength. It’s a picture of what happens when we turn our hearts to God in worship. When we’re scared, our view of God has gotten small. But as we worship, as we declare truths about who God is in song, our view of Him gets back to accurate. He stands strong and sovereign and the situation we’re facing shrinks in light of His goodness and power. So when you’re scared, worship. Or listen to worship music. Let the declarations of His goodness squelch your fears and rest in Him. Live in light of what is true.