Worship: A Study in PsalmsSample

What does it say?

God helped David when he called for help. His weeping was turned to dancing, and his mourning was turned to joy so that he could sing God’s praise and give thanks forever.

What does it mean?

Evidently, David had experienced God’s discipline in the form of a serious physical illness, perhaps after his sin of numbering the people (1 Chron. 21) – although we can’t be sure. When David humbly asked for mercy, the Lord forgave him and restored his health. The effect of being forgiven was the polar opposite of allowing sin to remain in his life; crying was replaced with joy, and mourning turned to songs of praise. David could not be silent about God’s mercy and faithfulness.

How should I respond?

Too many times, we miss opportunities to be a witness of God’s goodness because doing so would mean revealing something from our past that’s painful or embarrassing. Think about a time when God’s faithfulness was evident during a dark period of your life. Maybe it was an unsuccessful business venture, the loss of a child, or a moral failure. How did you see Him working in your circumstances and your heart? It’s good to praise God privately, but sometimes He wants us to talk openly about how He has worked in our lives. Stop right now and praise God for what He has done for you, and then look for an opportunity to tell someone else. Will you break your silence today?