A FIGHT SONG (Psalm 140)

The Bible says in Proverbs 21:31, “The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord.”

This verse portrays a military scene in which the soldier is getting his horse, his armor, and everything else ready to go into battle. Proper preparation is extremely important, but the writer acknowledged that, in the end, safety comes from God alone.

That single verse in Proverbs summarizes Psalm 140, which was written by David. Most people believe it was written while David was being hunted because of an Edomite named Doeg. You can read the story in I Samuel 22.

David was running for his life as his enemies surrounded him and hunted him like a wild animal. Where did he turn? He did all he could do, but in the end, he knew that safety would come from the Lord. If he was going to be kept alive and eventually emerge victorious, God would have to do it.

Verses 1-5: “Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man: preserve me from the violent man; Which imagine mischiefs in their heart; continually are they gathered together for war. They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent; adders' poison is under their lips. Selah. Keep me, O Lord, from the hands of the wicked; preserve me from the violent man; who have purposed to overthrow my goings. The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me. Selah.”

Do you hear his prayer? In verses 1 and 4, he prayed for deliverance and preservation. David understood that it was not his might, his military prowess, his artillery, or his army that would get the job done. It was the Lord.

Friend, you are in a spiritual conflict today. What does the Bible say about it?

“For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds.” (II Corinthians 10:4)

“Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.” (Zechariah 4:6)

“Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might.” (Ephesians 6:10)

It’s not you. It’s not me. It’s not about our ability to get things done or push our way through. It is the Lord alone.

David used several word pictures in these verses. In verse 3, it is the serpent, the snake full of poison, striking out at him. In verse 5 it is the hunter spreading a net and setting a snare.

The enemy wants your life. Satan wants to destroy you. The world wants to devour you. The flesh will consume you. There is only one way to be victorious today, and that is through the Lord’s power.

Prayer

Psalm 140 is very interesting because David, through his words, came back again and again to the Lord’s power and strength. He does it first of all through prayer, as we read in verses 1-6.

Verse 6: “I said unto the Lord, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O Lord.”

What a good place to start. When you are in a battle, the enemy is coming up against you, and you feel very weak, the first thing you should do is pray. It is the most important thing you will ever do with your mouth. That is why the book of James, which contains the classic passage about the tongue, is also an important book on prayer.

Sometimes we are so quick to talk to everyone else, thinking that someone might be able to help us or just give us a good word. No one can help you like Jesus, and no one can give you a good word like the Holy Spirit. Talk to God in prayer.

Testifying

Verse 7: “O God the Lord, the strength of my salvation, thou hast covered my head in the day of battle.” He went back in his mind to previous battle scenes and enemies, remembering the fact that God had always taken care of him. He wanted God to preserve and keep him, acknowledging that He had always done so before. He was testifying.

When you start to testify about God’s faithfulness, it is going to remind you of some things. It will increase your faith and stir your soul.

Maybe it would be good for all of us to share a testimony today. It doesn’t have to be in a public forum. It can be with a coworker or a family member, over a meal, or during an ordinary conversation. Talk about the goodness and strength of your God.

Note the words “thou hast” in verse 7. If He has, he will. If He was, He is. What a great reminder that God is not just God of the past. He is the God of the present.

David referred to having his head covered for battle. That was the most important part of the body to cover in ancient warfare. They had armor bearers so that when the arrows came flying in from overhead, they were protected.

But by this time, David had seen both Goliath and Saul perish despite their armor bearers. He knew that could happen. His point was that he would not trust in any man but for the Lord to be his armor bearer.

Verses 8-11: “Grant not, O Lord, the desires of the wicked: further not his wicked device; lest they exalt themselves. Selah. As for the head of those that compass me about, let the mischief of their own lips cover them. Let burning coals fall upon them: let them be cast into the fire; into deep pits, that they rise not up again. Let not an evil speaker be established in the earth: evil shall hunt the violent man to overthrow him. I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and the right of the poor. Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.”

Statement of Faith

From a prayer to a testimony to a statement of faith. He opened verse 12 with, “I know the Lord will.” Verse 13 begins, “Surely the righteous shall.”

Do you hear the confidence in these words? We often use the term “profession of faith” to describe someone who affirms publicly having come to Christ. But that is only the initial profession. We must again and again confess our faith in God throughout life.

I want to encourage you today not to speak in unbelief. Words are powerful, both for you and for those who hear them. Speak in faith today, with confidence in God. You are in a battle; the enemy is strong, and the fight is fierce. But God is greater.

He will take care of the enemies, and He will take care of you. Safety is of the Lord.